Well, maybe. At any rate, we issued a press release this morning (included below the fold). I think the Illinois Times and WCIA WCFN, at the least, are picking it up. I'll use this post to collect and point to media appearances. We should be on WCIA MyWCFN news at 9 tonight; I'm assuming it'll show up here. Before you read the release itself, you should know I absolutely hate the basic idea of a press release, which isn't primarily to announce something, or make an argument, but to convey that whatever is being announced will look right as a news story. So it includes silly quotes from me, even though, really, the whole thing is a quote from us. So, don't think ill of me for that. :)
Group Calls for Electricity Policies that Promote Clean Energy
Springfield. Clean Energy Springfield today called on CWLP to develop electricity rates that will give consumers more control over their energy costs, encourage the development of homegrown renewable energy, and promote energy efficiency practices. A federal energy law passed in 2005 requires CWLP to consider revising its electricity rates and standards to promote alternative energy, give consumers better pricing signals, and encourage energy conservation practices.
“CWLP should be doing more to prepare a future energy system which will be better for the environment, better for Springfield's economy, and better for ratepayers,” said Greg Claxton, a member of the group that was formed last year to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency programs in the city and encourage increased citizen participation in CWLP policy-making.
CWLP is taking comments on its proposal until June 21. Clean Energy Springfield encourages residents and businesses to look at, and comment on, what they propose. “The new power plant and wind power contracts give us an excellent opportunity to lay the foundation for a better future, but Springfield has to come together and tell CWLP that,” said Greg Claxton.
In its own comments, Clean Energy Springfield endorses CWLP's recommendations to adopt most of the standards, and is calling on CWLP to adjust its recommended modifications so as to:
- Give residential customers better control over their electricity use by adopting smart metering (a/k/a time-of-use metering), which will help residents save money.
- Encourage residents and businesses to install environmentally-friendly solar power, which will lower their energy bills and allow CWLP to sell more energy to the grid at the expensive peak-demand rate.
- Allow large commercial customers to fully participate in a net metering program, in which owners of small renewable energy sources are paid for the electricity they generate but do not use.
- Promote distributed generation, which will be less subject to disruption, increase the reliability of Springfield's energy system, and help Springfield grow more smoothly.
- Plan to use its soon-to-be-developed green power program to allow individuals and businesses to invest in CWLP-owned renewable energy sources in Springfield.
“We want people to be able to help put Springfield on a path to long-term sustainability and local energy reliance, but we need CWLP to encourage that and to set good rules and good goals to get us there,” said Greg Claxton.
CWLP is taking comments on its five standards until June 21. Information on CWLP's proposed standards, which includes how citizens can submit comments, can be found on the utility’s webpage at http://www.cwlp.com/electric_division/StandardsPublicHearing.htm. The utility will also be holding a meeting on its energy efficiency programs at the Springfield Housing Authority at 200 N. 11th St. on June 21 at 6 p.m.. CES has more information about the standards at http://www.cleanenergyspringfield.org/page_10725.html.
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