Emerging Energy Issues in NC

I joined the Emerging Issues Regional Forum yesterday in New Bern to learn more about how the East plans to adapt to the new renewable energy economy. Cool Cities in this region are Greenville, New Bern, Snow Hill, Surf City, Wilmington, and Bald Head Island.

I learned that there is already a potential supply chain of existing manufactures and businesses for wind power, solar power, and animal waste-to-energy. Read more in the Progress Report on North Carolina's New Energy Economy.

Fast, Hot and Green

Attending one of Europe’s most important auto shows, the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, were various hybrid and solar powered vehicles. One vehicle touts zero emissions with a hydrogen fed fuel cell. Other hybrid vehicles combine diesel gas with hydroelectricity or are completely battery powered. An adorable car, designed to look like a water droplet, took the rain cistern idea to heart. While driving it collects water, filters it, and offers it to the driver in a water bottle. Check out more of these concept cars at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles on MSN.com.

Net Metering in North Carolina

The NC Utilities Commission is holding a public hearing tonight in Charlotte (Courtroom 6350, Mecklenburg County Courthouse, 832 E. 4th Street, Charlotte). They held one last Tuesday in Raleigh. I had the pleasure of hearing over a half dozen citizens express their need for solar power in their homes and businesses. It was encouraging to see so many people speak so passionately about a renewable resource. Unfortunately, they all expressed distaste for the current laws that make it not cost efficient for groups to supply their own energy. The basic request was “Please give me a reasonable return in my capital investment—if I am going to pay to install solar panels, don’t make me pay for putting energy into your grid.”

Improving the net metering standard is one of the most important steps North Carolina can take to open the door for individuals and small companies to participate in a clean energy economy. Net metering can:
Provide hedge against rising energy prices and increase energy security
Help grow businesses and create “green” jobs--- 1 Megawatt of installed solar PV supports 3-4 “green” jobs
Supply customers with clean energy
Increase the reliability for the electric grid during times when consumption is high
Improve our air and water quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The Utility Commission will be making changes to the current policy on net metering over the next week. If you can’t go to Charlotte tonight, email, call or write the commission today and ask for change!

Solar Power on Tour

Did you have the opportunity to see the solar power bus tour that stopped in downtown Raleigh? It was pretty exciting! When I stopped by there were a couple dozen people stopping to take pictures or be in a picture and to learn more or record their thoughts about global warming. The next event will be Clean Energy Solutions to Global Warming Rallly: Congress must take action! next Sunday, October 5th from 2-4 pm on the Capital building front lawn.

There are so many innovative ways to address the problems Global Warming is causing and it is exciting to see so many people taking this initiative!

Duke Energy buys solar field output

Yesterday, Duke Energy announced it purchased the output (16 megawatts) of what will be the largest solar field in the US - to be built, owned, and operated by SunEdison just north of Charlotte in Davidson County. By law, Duke is required to produce 12.5% of its energy from renewable sources by 2018.

You can find coverage on CNN, the N & O, the Charlotte Observer.

North Carolina will see a large upswing in greencollar jobs due to the solar field, which will employ only three permanent positions but is expected to require many contractors.

From the Charlotte Observer:

Wednesday's agreement is part of Duke's expansion into renewable energy."It shows (the state law) is working, and it's a highly visible step toward a renewable-energy economy," said Molly Diggins, state director of the Sierra Club. The deal also proves, Diggins said, that the sun and wind are viable energy competitors in a South of cheap coal.