Utility Going Green

[irishbobcat]

Utility Going Green

September 22, 2008

BOSTON— National Grid, which supplies about half the state's electricity, plans to dramatically boost spending on energy conservation programs in the state, with a 30 percent increase next year and a doubling of the current spending to more than $125 million annually over the next three years, according to company officials.
The increase in conservation investments, aimed at cutting reliance on fossil fuels, monthly electric bills and the need to buy more power to meet growing demand, is one of the first tangible effects of sweeping energy legislation adopted by the state this summer.
Thomas King, president of the international utility company's U.S. operations, said the initiatives, which put Massachusetts far ahead of most states in the battle to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, initially aim to curb major increases in demand for electricity.
National Grid is spending $63 million on conservation efforts this year and will increase that to $83 million in 2009, ramping up to about $125 million by 2011 under the plan, which will soon be submitted to state regulators, company officials said.
Industry forecasts, Mr. King said, project demand for power to grow 30 percent over the next 20 years, at about 1 percent or more each year.
Aggressive increases in conservation programs and deeper penetration in the marketplace of energy efficiency technologies, he said, will aim to reduce that annual growth rate to one-half a percent in Massachusetts.
While that may seem a small increment, fractional gains in reducing demand, he said, hold multiple economic benefits, limiting the need for new power plants and reducing the need to buy higher-priced peak power supplies.
Combined with reductions in electricity usage by businesses and consumers because of higher prices, Mr. King said, the high-profile conservation programs and new incentives for expanded clean energy sources here should produce long-term benefits.
The conservation investments, which will be paid for with rate-payer revenues that might otherwise be spent on additional power, will include a combination of energy-efficiency programs and require development of an expanded energy conservation work force.
"We expect literally thousands of jobs will be created across the state" as part of the effort, Mr. King said.

This is the type of leadership we need in Congress and in Ohio to help our citizens cope with rising electric bills and help them get ready to begin supplying Green Energy Resources in the Future.
ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

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