Renewable Energy, Efficiency Can Meet NC Energy Demand Reliably

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Kris Coracini, Program Specialist, Environmental Defense, (919) 881-2922, kcoracini@environmentaldefense.org
Ivan Urlaub, Executive and Policy Director, NC Sustainable Energy Association, (919) 832-7601, ncseapolicy@mindspring.com

(December 13, 2006 - Raleigh, NC) The state Environmental Review Commission was told today that renewable energy and energy efficiency can be cost-effective options to meet North Carolina’s growing energy demand. That was the conclusion of a six-month study conducted on the state’s behalf on the costs and benefits of a renewable portfolio standard for North Carolina. The commission was told that a standard could produce savings of half a billion dollars over 20 years.

Environmental Defense and the NC Sustainable Energy Association said the analysis provided further evidence that the state should drop plans for new coal and nuclear plants and pursue clean energy sources that will keep rates stable, stimulate the economy, and create jobs, particularly in rural areas. The groups are calling for the General Assembly to adopt a renewable and efficiency portfolio standard in the 2007 session.

“This study confirms that we can have just as much confidence turning on our lights with renewable energy as we can with coal or nuclear power, and that’s at the same or lower cost,” said Kris Coracini, program specialist with the North Carolina Office of Environmental Defense. “Now lawmakers have the data to confidently pass legislation making North Carolina the first in the Southeast with a renewable portfolio standard. There’s just no need to keep building very expensive coal and nuclear plants to satisfy energy demand.”

“North Carolina spends $1.6 billion each year on fuels for electricity, importing 98% of fuel to generate our electricity,” said Ivan Urlaub, executive and policy director, NC Sustainable Energy Association. “We’re sending the money out of the state and then bringing energy into the state, instead of spending our dollars wisely on homegrown renewable resources right here in North Carolina. North Carolina can continue to grow, without utility rates going up more than they would with new coal and nuclear power plants.”

Meeting energy needs with renewables and efficiency also would prevent millions of tons of global warming pollution from entering the atmosphere.