For those interested in our Energy Efficiency Standard, here is a blurb about a similar bill and what the utilities are doing to it in Virginia.
From our friends at Piedmont Environmental Council.
JBK
"Thom and Kathy" thomkat@verizon.net 2/10/2009 4:41 PM >>>
Dominion Tampers with Energy Efficiency BillsJim, Dominion is pulling tricks and I am sure AE will try same.
T ----- Original Message ----- From: Thom and Kathy To: WVBiker98@aol.com ; Bill Howley ; Letty Butcher ; bethanne@pbhomeswv.com ; John Balasko ; wojtowicz@metsci.com ; ralph.dewalt@comcast.net Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:35 PM Subject: Fw: Dominion Tampers with Energy Efficiency Bills
How can these people sleep at night?!
T
----- Original Message ----- From: Dan Holmes, PEC To: Kathy Hildebrand Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 11:14 AM Subject: Dominion Tampers with Energy Efficiency Bills
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Dominion Tampers with State Energy Efficiency Bills Dear Kathy,
The utilities have meddled with the one remaining (19%) Energy Efficiency bill being considered by the Virginia General Assembly. As edited, this bill gives the utilities extra money to "endeavor" to implement efficiency programs without requiring results. It also paves the way for construction of new power plants and transmission lines by preventing energy efficiency from being counted as an alternative.
Don't Let the Utilities Hijack Another Bill Ask your Senator and Delegate to strip out Dominion's language or oppose SB 1248 entirely.
Act Now: Help Richmond get energy efficiency right, oppose Dominion's tweaks to SB 1248.
Dominion Hand-Delivers New Language The efficiency bill in question is SB 1248 from Senator Northam. In its current form, it gives the utilities a 200 basis point enhanced rate of return (2% more than they normally get) on energy efficiency programs, without requiring that the programs produce measurable results.
But it gets worse. Last night, Dominion hand-delivered new language to the Senate Committee, and told the Senators that Dominion would not accept any efficiency bills without it. This new language, called "Section F", would prevent regulators from treating energy efficiency programs as an alternative to building new generation or transmission.
When Good Bills Go Bad SB 1248 is a part of the Governor's energy package and started out as a well-intentioned effort to increase energy efficiency in the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, we're only halfway through the General Assembly Session and this "energy efficiency" bill just keeps getting worse. The bill we are left with:
1.. Sets an efficiency goal that is not much higher than last year's goal. 2.. Pays investor-owned utilities an enhanced rate of return without requiring measurable results. 3.. Makes sure the SCC doesn't count a utility energy efficiency program as an alternative to building more power plants or power lines. The bill isn't forward progress. Please send a letter to your Senator & Delegate asking them to either strike Dominion's amendment or oppose the bill entirely. The bill is up for a full Senate vote some time today, and would then cross over to the House tomorrow.
One good bill that didn't make it out of Committee was SB 1447 from Senator McEachin (it failed to meet Dominion's outlined criteria). If you have an extra minute, please consider thanking the Senator for his efforts on behalf of all concerned Virginians.
Sincerely,
Dan Holmes State Policy Director Piedmont Environmental Council dholmes@pecva.org
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