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New industry data prove new
coal and nuclear plants
are not needed. Speak out
for climate protection.
Duke Energy,
Progress Energy and their political allies want to gamble tens of
billions of public dollars to build (lucrative) coal and nuclear power
plants. That path is already squandering our chances to avert climate
catastrophe. Continuing disclosures prove that energy efficiency,
cogeneration and renewable power can meet our growing population needs
while cutting greenhouse gases and power bills.
The NC
Utilities Commission will address the power companies’ forecasts for supply
and demand – new power plants vs. clean, efficient energy:
Clean energy
advocates and experts have won these debates before, but without public and
media scrutiny, the politically appointed Commissioners usually rule for
the power companies. It’s very important that you attend, give public
testimony, and if able, show the commissioners the public is watching THEM,
as our experts make winning arguments. If you can make the daytime
legal hearing, please do! You will find it interesting.
If
these new coal and nuclear-fired dinosaurs had to compete in open markets,
they’d never be built. They’re alive due to regulated
(protected) utility status and rates in the Southeast, billions in federal
subsidies – and because in 2007 North Carolina’s legislators shifted the
immense risks of new plants, including prepayment, onto customers.
Plants
planned by Duke and Progress in the Carolinas have tripled in estimated
cost while still on the drawing board – now around $35 billion.
This could cost the average family over $12,000 in higher bills in just the
first 10 years - less than half that amount could make every home energy
efficient, add solar hot water, and rapidly reduce greenhouse gases.
☼ New industry data confirms a large
surplus of regional electric capacity.
Data from the Southeastern Electric Reliability Council shows
that Duke, Progress and other regional utilities plan to overbuild by more
than 60 large power plants so they can increase sales to other regions
with higher electricity rates. See more at the top of
www.ncwarn.org
☼ Duke Energy’s own study shows
Cliffside, new nukes aren’t needed.
A newly exposed 2007 study commissioned by Duke Energy proves
the company could reduce nearly one-fifth of its electricity demand
through cost-effective efficiency programs over 18 years. Progress
Energy could achieve similar savings. But despite Duke CEO Rogers’
much-hyped “Save-a-watt” proposal, Duke’s filings project less than 2%
energy savings over 20 years.
☼ Energy experts confirm that
Cliffside, new nukes aren’t needed.
Duke University economist John Blackburn further dispels the
need for Duke and Progress Energy to gamble tens of billions of public
dollars on new coal and nuclear plants. He shows that with only 10%
energy efficiency, along with minimal renewable energy and cogeneration (a
huge resource that remains untapped due to utility obstruction), Duke can
avoid building risky new plants.
☼ The NC legislature’s study shows
Cliffside, new nukes aren’t needed.
A 2007 state-commissioned study found that across NC, 14% in
energy-saving is achievable, even without including key technologies such
as solar water heating.
☼ So why haven’t Cliffside and new
nukes already been cancelled?
Because our democracy is wounded – with most elected officials
and news media deferring to the power companies and accepting their money
instead of scrutinizing their actions. Because our perverse rate system
rewards Duke and Progress for building the most expensive power plants.
Because those corporations impede energy efficiency and renewables even
while spending millions of customer dollars painting themselves “green.”
Both Duke
and Progress operate programs that encourage customers to waste energy.
In March, the Commission forced them to stop expanding one such program –
but allowed 160,000 customers to keep using it.
Efficiency
and conservation are urgently needed for reduction of greenhouse gases.
The world’s top scientists warn that current weather extremes and wildfires
will keep increasing, and that global warming is very close to
irreversible, catastrophic tipping points.
The
Commission, elected officials and news media must require the power
companies to fully explain why they should be allowed to spend public money
on high-risk, dangerous new plants that are not needed – while stifling
efforts for widespread efficiency and renewables.
“Sinking tens of billions of dollars
into new nuclear power plants and
large coal plants will significantly limit the expenditures on other
sources
of energy … a series of reasonable adjustments to the demand forecasts can
postpone or eliminate the need for new and expensive generating plants.”
-Dr. John Blackburn,
former chair of economics at Duke University and renewable energy expert.
Read his pre-filed testimony for NC WARN: http://ncuc.commerce.state.nc.us/cgi-bin/webview/senddoc.pgm?dispfmt=&itype=Q&authorization=&parm2=GBAAAA55180B&parm3=000127213
Please also send written comments:
NC Utilities Commission, 4325 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC
27699-4325 or email Chairman Edward Finley:
finley@ncuc.net Re: Docket
number E-100, Sub 114
Candidates, public officials and news media
need to hear from you. Most have ignored arguments for
statewide clean energy – including the urgency of climate change.
June 2008
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