Investing in Efficiency
Texans have always been far better at making energy than saving it. But if a proposal before the Public Utility Commission gets approved this year, buildings and appliances in Texas would need to become much more energy efficient.
Under the proposal, electric providers across the state would be required to offset 50 percent of their customers' growth in usage with energy-efficiency measures by 2014. That's well above the current 20 percent requirement set by the Legislature. Utilities that exceed the goals could get bonuses.
In practical terms, this means that electric companies would probably start peppering their customers with ...
Comments (1)
LakesideSlacker
Oh my, this is certainly going to further confuse the local utility, Austin Energy and city council members who immediately shut down the solar rebate program last fall when it was understood that the rebate program was gaining momentum and might actually reduce peak consumption and the need for new generation. While showcasing green generation planning, efficient appliances, insulation programs, renewable energy, electric cars and presenting themselves as leaders when not impacting the long term baseline demand, Austin Energy and the city council have yet to sort out the balance between representing electric rate-payers and taxpayers who in most cases are the same.