NC Public Power Officials Meet with Congressmen to Discuss Harmful Energy Legislation

5/1/2009 11:49:00 AM

NC Public Power officials recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to express concerns about the Waxman-Markey bill to the NC Congressional delegation. The Waxman-Markey legislation is broad legislation dealing with renewable energy, national energy efficiency and climate change. While NC Public Power supports Congress’ efforts with these issues, we are deeply concerned with the overall economic impact and specific impact to ratepayers and industry in North Carolina.

Mayors, city staff members and industry leaders from NC Public Power communities met with many members of the NC Congressional Delegation, including the offices of Rep. Miller, Rep. Butterfield, Rep. Etheridge, Rep. Kissell, Rep. Myrick, Rep. Watt, Rep. Price and Rep. McIntyre.

The city officials that participated included: Strib Boynton, High Point and Chairman of the ElectriCities Board of Directors; Mayor Bruce Rose, Wilson and Vice Chairman of the ElectriCities Board of Directors; Mayor Jennie Stultz, Gastonia and Secretary of the ElectriCities Board of Directors; Don Mitchell, Monroe and ElectriCities Board of Directors member; Council Member Chris Whitley, High Point; William Hardin, Daimler Trucks, Gastonia; Steve Blanchard, Fayetteville PWC; Tony Cannon, Greenville Utilities; Jim Greene, Concord; and Steve Raper, Rocky Mount. ElectriCities Interim CEO Art Hubert and Estherine Davis, SVP of Government Relations, also participated in meetings.

Under Waxman-Markey, the proposed renewable energy standard would require 25 percent of electric generation to come from renewable sources, such as wind, solar and biomass. This requirement would have a large impact on the southeastern US and North Carolina. The NC General Assembly has determined that North Carolina can realistically generate 12.5 percent of needed generation from renewable energy sources, not the 25 percent the bill would require.

The group urged Congress to thoroughly study the economic impact to North Carolina families before enacting any legislation. Estimates are that this legislation would cost the average family 40 percent more for electricity, or $10,000 in increased electric bills over a 13-year period. The group urged Congress to take time to study the impact of this legislation to North Carolinians before any legislation is passed.