Comments on: Efficiency the size of a power plant (Duke Save-a-Watt resolved!) http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2009/06/12/duke-save-a-watt-agreement/ Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:37:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: AP http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2009/06/12/duke-save-a-watt-agreement/comment-page-1/#comment-70 AP Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:45:37 +0000 http://blog.cleanenergy.org/?p=1434#comment-70 It was environmental groups that announced a deal Friday with Charlotte-based Duke Energy Co. that will raise rates for residential customers in North Carolina by $1.21 a month. Duke will pocket some of that money, and spend most of it to cut power consumption. The Duke agreement comes as utilities try to separate traditional ties between the amount of power a customer uses and how much they pay for it. The first step is to charge customers more — in some cases about the cost of a bottle of soda a month — with the extra money going toward creating leaner, greener power grids across the country. Eventually, the amount of power used in homes or businesses will fall. The idea is that by using less power, utilities won't need to add costly new generating capacity. Spending a buck or so now can keep even bigger rate increases in check. It was environmental groups that announced a deal Friday with Charlotte-based Duke Energy Co. that will raise rates for residential customers in North Carolina by $1.21 a month. Duke will pocket some of that money, and spend most of it to cut power consumption.

The Duke agreement comes as utilities try to separate traditional ties between the amount of power a customer uses and how much they pay for it. The first step is to charge customers more — in some cases about the cost of a bottle of soda a month — with the extra money going toward creating leaner, greener power grids across the country. Eventually, the amount of power used in homes or businesses will fall.

The idea is that by using less power, utilities won’t need to add costly new generating capacity. Spending a buck or so now can keep even bigger rate increases in check.

]]> By: Charlotte Observer http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2009/06/12/duke-save-a-watt-agreement/comment-page-1/#comment-69 Charlotte Observer Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:56:00 +0000 http://blog.cleanenergy.org/?p=1434#comment-69 Duke Energy, environmental groups and a state agency that represents consumers reached agreement today on changes to Duke's save-a-watt energy efficiency program. For nearly two years, environmentalists and the N.C. Utilities Commission's Public Staff, which represents consumer interests, had argued that the program would cost consumers too much while saving too little energy. Duke would profit from the conservation program, originally proposing to recover up to 90 percent of the costs avoided by not building new power plants. More recently, Duke has agreed to reduce its potential profits. Duke Energy, environmental groups and a state agency that represents consumers reached agreement today on changes to Duke’s save-a-watt energy efficiency program.

For nearly two years, environmentalists and the N.C. Utilities Commission’s Public Staff, which represents consumer interests, had argued that the program would cost consumers too much while saving too little energy.

Duke would profit from the conservation program, originally proposing to recover up to 90 percent of the costs avoided by not building new power plants. More recently, Duke has agreed to reduce its potential profits.

]]> By: Charlotte Business Journal http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2009/06/12/duke-save-a-watt-agreement/comment-page-1/#comment-68 Charlotte Business Journal Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:54:54 +0000 http://blog.cleanenergy.org/?p=1434#comment-68 Consumer and environmental advocates have reached a settlement with Duke Energy Carolinas on its Save-A-Watt program. The agreement, which must still be approved by state regulators, increases targets for energy conservation and caps Duke’s potential earnings from the initiative. Consumer and environmental advocates have reached a settlement with Duke Energy Carolinas on its Save-A-Watt program. The agreement, which must still be approved by state regulators, increases targets for energy conservation and caps Duke’s potential earnings from the initiative.

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