NC needs a mandatory, not voluntary, Public Benefits Fund to improve energy efficiency, increase the use of renewable energy and assist low income North Carolinians with energy efficiency and bill paying. Investments by the PBF will lower residential and small business energy bills, clean our environment, bring in new Federal grants, creat jobs and prepare small energy users for the coming changes in the energy markets. The PBF we are proposing is less than $2.00 per year for residential customers and it would generate $20 million per year. Numerous environmental, consumer, and low income groups have been meeting on a PBF for 2 years and have defined a program all parties can support. Most states that have restructured electric utilities have included a PBF to protect the environment and low income consumers. We are proposing to start a PBF in advance of any restructuring because the utilities have backed away from all their efficiency and renewable programs and government funding will dry up soon. Additionally, low income needs are not being met now and a coordinated program of assistance and weatherization would greatly improve health, safety, and housing stock.
North Carolinians want to buy clean, renewable energy. We have been talking to NC utilities for the past 2 years and they have not responded. NC imports all its fuels from outside NC. A green energy program will make a cleaner North Carolina by reducing our need for coal electrical generation, create new jobs and new businesses, use existing NC energy resources, help solve our animal waste problems and diversify our energy production to protect us from uncertain future natural gas prices. [For details, see NCSEA's comments to the Utility Commission.]
The Center for Resource Solutions recently announced it has compiled a "summary of facts" to provide an accurate overview of California's energy crisis and its effect on the state's green power market. In addition, the group said it has recruited leading energy authorities to document the events leading up to California's energy crisis.
is the starting page for CRS's site featuring "How We Got Into the Energy Crisis," a
paper authored by CRS executive director Jan Hamrin and William Marcus of
JBS Energy, Inc. that details the "complex web of events leading to the
energy crisis." In addition, the site provides a list of the "Top Ten
Factors that Affected California's Green Power Market," and a "California
Green Power Update" that was delivered to green power industry advocates.
Contact: Keri Bolding, CRS, phone 415-561-2100
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The following article is from the weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE)
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) -- March 14, 2001
The Los Angeles City Council approved on March 2nd the
purchase of electricity produced from renewable energy to
supply 10 percent of the city government's needs. The
purchase, amounting to 50 million kilowatt-hours of electricity
per year, is one of the largest U.S. purchases of so-called
green power. Combined with previous commitments from
LA World Airports and the city's water system, Los Angeles
government agencies will be buying more than 70 million
kilowatt-hours per year of green power. The purchase
agreement will take effect in July, and the power will be
provided by the Los Angeles Department of Power and
Water (LADWP). See the LADWP press release at:
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Sacramento Municipal Utility Department (SMUD) invested heavily in rooftop photovoltaic generation, hydroelectric, wind, cogeneration, and biomass, as well as natural gas-fired plants. Even though their wholesale purchases of electricity and gas have gone up as have other utilities', SMUD customers will see no price increase in 2000. Look here for their facts and figures:
And here for an insider's view of California's deregulation and generation woes:
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We are North Carolina's leading educators and advocates for a sustainable energy future through renewable energy technologies including solar, wind, micro-hydro, geothermal, biofuels and energy efficiency. The Association is organized for non-profit purposes. Current membership is about 550. |
We are the NC chapter of the American Solar Energy Association |
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