QUICK NEWS, February 19: WHERE SUN IS IN TEXAS; NEW YORK TURNS TO WIND; NEW ENERGY SAVED MONEY FOR NO CAROLINA

WHERE SUN IS IN TEXAS San Antonio, Austin support 85 percent of Texas solar energy installations; Legislature considering bills to help expand solar to rest of state

February 14, 2013 (Environment Texas)

“The municipally owned utilities in San Antonio and Austin have supported the installation of four times more solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity than the rest of Texas combined or 85 percent of the state total, according to Reaching for the Sun: How San Antonio and Austin Are Showing that Solar Is a Powerful Energy Option for Texas…

“CPS Energy, which serves San Antonio and surrounding areas, reports solar energy installations of 52.6 megawatts (MW) while Austin Energy reports 41.3 MW. Oncor, the utility serving Dallas, Fort Worth and other areas, is a distant third with 9.89 MW. On the basis of installed solar energy per customer account, Austin Energy has 0.099 kW per account, CPS energy 0.073 kw, and El Paso Electric takes third with 0.005 kW.”

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“…[The Environment Texas Research and Policy Center report] credits San Antonio and Austin’s strong policies that encourage solar power on residences and businesses, and in utility-scale installations…[S]olar energy can help reduce the need for coal and natural gas power plants that cause air pollution, contribute to global warming, and use excessive amounts of precious water for cooling…[A] recent study by the operator of Texas’ electricity grid (ERCOT) [showed] that the most cost-effective way to meet the state’s growing need for electricity on the hottest summer days is to add solar and wind energy generating capacity rather than natural gas-fired power plants.

“…According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Texas has the potential to generate more than 100 times our current electric use from solar power. But despite the leadership of San Antonio and Austin, Texas ranks just 13th in the nation for installed solar…[S]everal bills filed in the Legislature which could help expand the state’s use of solar energy…”

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NEW YORK TURNS TO WIND New Yorkers' Green Helps Wind Power Supply More Of The Power Grid

Jill Urban, February 10, 2013 (NY1)

“…[T]he Barcade bar in Williamsburg…[a]Brooklyn hotspot is 100-percent powered by wind energy…Because the bar operates more than 30 arcade games, it consumes more energy than the average bar. Kermizian and the other owners decided to reduce their carbon footprint by turning to wind, and more and more New Yorkers are asking energy suppliers like Con Edison Solutions to do the same.

“…[A]bout 20,000 residential customers…buy wind from [Con Edison]…[It is] becoming more mainstream…[like] recycling…[although many do not yet] know this is an option or that it is an easy way to have a big impact on the environment.”

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“To switch to wind energy, customers do not need to put wind turbines on their roof. Instead, they need to call their utility companies and say they want to switch to a different supplier…That new supplier will purchase the energy from a wind farm on the customer's behalf. Electricity will still be delivered through the same utility company on the same wires, but now wind energy consumers are helping to put renewable power into the grid instead of power produced by fossil fuel generation…

“…[The estimated] added cost for an average-size city apartment to switch to wind power is about the same as a few cappuccinos per month…[I]t is a small price to pay to offset one's impact on the environment.”

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NEW ENERGY SAVED MONEY FOR NO CAROLINA New Report Shows Clean Energy’s Positive Impact on North Carolina’s Economy and Utility Rates; Since 2007, clean energy investments have created thousands of jobs.

February 18, 2013 (North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association)

“… The Economic, Utility Portfolio, and Rate Impact of Clean Energy Development in North Carolina [from RTI International and La Capra Associates, Inc]…is an economic analysis focused on the impacts of clean energy policy in the state…[commissioned by the] North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA)…[It] found that the key policy drivers of clean energy development in North Carolina include the Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS), renewable energy investment tax credit, and Utility Savings Initiative.

“…[K]ey findings include…Clean energy policies are costing electricity ratepayers less than they would have paid without these policies. By 2026, this switch to clean energy will lead to $173 million in cost savings for electricity customers…While the broader North Carolina economy lost more than 100,000 jobs from 2007-2012, the state experienced a net gain in [clean energy development] of 21,162 job years…Tax credits taken by renewable energy projects…generated $1.87 in state or local revenue for every $1.00 of incentive…[and] clean energy policies…[generated $113 million] in net revenue…”

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“…Between 2007 and 2012, clean energy investment…increased 13-fold and generated or saved an estimated 8.2 million MWh of energy…[S]tate government energy efficiency programs saved the government an estimated $427 million of taxpayer money…[And] the total economic benefit of clean energy development in North Carolina was $1.7 billion and generated $2.56 billion in associated spending in the state economy…[M]ore than $100 million of new clean energy investment [came in just three rural counties]…

“…[The NC] clean energy industry includes over 1,100 companies found in all regions of our state…[and] includes renewable energy, energy efficiency, high performance building, smart grid, energy storage and electric vehicles…These companies generated at least $3.7 billion in annual revenues from in-state and out-of- state activity. Based on filings with the NC Utilities Commission, there are nearly 2,300 installed or planned renewable energy systems…”

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