Support independent,
affordable energy efficiency programs
Raleigh, NC. Consumer,
labor, and environmental groups rallied on the steps of the Utilities
Commission today, calling on Duke Energy to withdraw its controversial
“Save-a-Watt” proposal. It is the first energy efficiency proposal to be
heard by the Utilities Commission since the passage of the major energy bill
last year. The groups argue that the
program costs too much and does too little.
They urged Duke to
support independently-run energy efficiency programs.
“While
families are struggling to pay energy bills, Duke Energy is requesting hefty,
new charges for energy efficiency.” says Shana Becker, Staff Attorney for the
North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG), a consumer watchdog
group. Under the program, Duke would charge
$18.23 for promoting an energy efficient light bulb that retails for $1.65, as
stated by Public Staff, the consumer advocate for the Utilities Commission, in recent
news reports. According to Duke, the
program’s cumulative energy savings would be 1%, which is 91.6% less than the
average of top performing energy efficiency programs. The average top performing programs save
11.9%, with the best performing program saving 17.7% energy through energy
efficiency, according to data from the Energy Information Administration, filed
by Public Staff.
“As
a Charlotte customer
recently said, ‘We wouldn’t go to Krispy Kreme for a healthy diet plan or Exxon
for fuel-savings tips. Why should we
expect energy efficiency from Duke?” said Becker, citing Lisa Zerkle’s op-ed to
the Charlotte Observer. “The answer
is simple. We shouldn’t.”
Currently, seven states implement
state-wide energy efficiency plans through independent energy efficiency
programs, according to research presented by Hope Taylor, Executive Director of
Clean Water for North Carolina
at the rally. “Let’s stop messing around
with trying to compensate utilities to overcome their deep conflicts of
interest in implementing efficiency programs.” stated Taylor. “Independently-run energy efficiency
programs not only save more energy and cost less money, they also create jobs, reduce
toxic and greenhouse emissions, and cut billions of gallons a day of water use
and degradation.”
Taylor
noted that Delaware is the most recent state to adopt an independent energy efficiency program.
“Other states are saving energy, preventing the construction of dirty,
expensive power plants, and saving money. We can too.” The groups called on
Duke to withdraw “Save-a-Watt” and to support independently-run energy
efficiency programs.
The hearings on “Save-a-Watt” begin
today, and are scheduled to continue in August.
Duke CEO, Jim Rogers, is slated to testify August 18. The
Utilities Commission decision will set a precedent for energy efficiency programs
in North Carolina: how much ratepayers are charged, how much energy
efficiency is required, and who runs the programs.
