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 [...]
We already know that energy efficiency offers a “vast, low-cost energy resource” … so why has a new report, Energy Efficiency in the South, triggered a strong reaction from Grist, the New York Times, and many people online? Maybe the reaction was generated by the prestige of the research team that collaborated on this report, [...]
“Energy efficiency will be the single most important source of energy available to the world’s economies in the years to come.” Rex Tillerson, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of ExxonMobil Corporation. When someone like Rex Tillerson gives a strong endorsement to energy efficiency, it is clear that there is a wide consensus that energy efficiency [...]
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 [...]
Quietly, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has been signing contracts with several wind developers that will put the federal utility in a position to significantly grow its wind energy portfolio in 2012, if all goes to plan. Over the past 5 months, TVA has announced multiple contracts with Invenergy Wind, CPV Renewable Energy Co., Iberdrola [...]
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 [...]
Industry lobbyists are working hard to influence the EPA’s decision on whether to classify coal ash as a hazardous substance. According to a recent reports by the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, White House officials have held nearly twenty meetings with industry groups since last October to discuss the possible implications of classifying [...]
The PSC meeting last week was marked by two dramatic changes for Florida electric utilities. Utility-oriented commissioner Carter was succeeded as chair for 2010-2012 by the far more consumer-oriented commissioner, Nancy Argenziano. In remarks made while nominating Ms. Argenziano, Chairman Carter said, “. . . she answered the call to leadership.” But in the same meeting in which new electricity conservation [...]
Next week, a former editorial board editor is one of five Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) members who will direct Florida’s major utilities to pursue energy efficiency efforts over the next five years. Will we get more of the same, as the utilities and the Commission staff suggest, or will Florida take a step towards [...]
