Bob Inglis’ call to “simultaneously eliminat[e] all subsidies” for energy is another way that he believes we can use the “power of free markets” to make better choices about energy use. Although “subsidies” are often discussed, it is a concept that is hard to pin down. The World Trade Organization definition of a subsidy amounts [...]
Just a brief update for those who are interested in why Florida is moving so slowly on energy efficiency. As recently noted by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, “regulators in Florida … took actions to render their energy savings target ineffective.” Similarly in response, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is protesting [...]
On August 4, the Mississippi Public Service Commission took a huge step forward in supporting energy efficiency by issuing an order proposing energy efficiency programs and standards. Prior to this order, the state did not have any utility efficiency regulations in place. The order comes after the Commission opened a docket (2010-AD-2) to investigate developing [...]
North Carolina is increasing energy efficiency, cutting waste I’m a native Floridian and as long as I can remember, there’s always been a special relationship between Florida and North Carolina, especially in the heat of summer when some Floridians retreat to the mountains for milder temperatures. Both states nicely combine the gracious hospitality of Southern [...]
The long darkness is over! OK, that’s a bit melodramatic but … after many years of very little access to energy efficiency programs, Southeastern households and businesses are finding that their utilities may be offering attractive and comprehensive energy efficiency programs. As recently as 2008, significant energy efficiency programs in the Southeast were limited to [...]
It got U-G-L-Y in the Florida energy efficiency debate. Progress Energy attorney John Burnett literally maligned dozens of utilities across the country when he explained that the programs that other utilities operate are faking it – reporting bogus energy savings. This remarkable attack took place while the Florida Public Service Commission considered proposed utility energy [...]
E. L. Jacobs, Jr. As a former chair of the Florida Public Service Commission, I am concerned that recent actions in Tallahassee to dismantle the PSC send the message that the views of the working and bill-paying public count for nothing. Those actions show contempt for balancing the interests of ratepayers with politics. What other [...]
Two weeks ago, SACE provided detailed analysis and findings based on evaluation of proposed energy efficiency programs filed by Florida power utilities. Over the past couple of days, one of those utilities responded. Progress Energy Florida feels that our comments “should not be considered ” by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC). Progress Energy also [...]
State House Rep. Joe Gibbons – Photo: Tallahassee Democrat Rep. Joe Gibbons has kindly allowed us to reprint his published essay. He addresses the critical need that low-income utility customers have for expanded energy efficiency programs. As demonstrated in a recent study by Florida Power & Light , low-income residents participate in energy efficiency programs at [...]
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) just set goals for electric energy efficiency well below targets set—and achieved—by other states, but not surprisingly, several FEECA utilities filed objections seeking still lower goals. Earlier, we reviewed the goals and outlined why the PSC’s targets were as weak as they were—but still the utilities want to aim even lower. Progress, FP&L, Gulf [...]
