Renewables and restructuring in North Carolina
North Carolina is one of 33 states that are evaluating whether and how to restructure their electric utility industries. In most states where restructuring has either already been passed or is being considered, there has been considerable effort on the part of advocacy organizations to implement new policies to support renewable energy growth. It remains unclear, however, when the North Carolina electric industry will be restructured and whether the state will move ahead on its own or wait for a federal mandate. This paper presents the experience and lessons learned to date from efforts to incorporate renewable energy into the proposed restructured electric market structure in North Carolina. This paper focuses on the work of the North Carolina Solar Energy Association, the state's leading renewable energy advocacy organization. Discussion includes the history and status of renewable energy in the state. The paper outlines and discusses NCSEA's proposed policies for a restructured market. These are: (1) opening the market to retail competition so that customers will have a choice of renewable energy providers, (2) mandating fuel mix and emissions disclosure, (3) creating a renewable portfolio standard of 20% renewables by 2010, and (4) establishing a public benefits fund of 2.5 mills/kWh to support both renewable energy and energy efficiency investments. These policy recommendations are based on the long standing recommendation of NCSEA and the NC Energy Policy Council that the state should receive 20% of its energy from renewables by 2010.
- Research Organization:
- North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20050743
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: SOLAR 99, Portland, ME (US), 06/12/1999--06/16/1999; Other Information: PBD: 1999; Related Information: In: Solar 99 conference: Proceedings of ASES annual conference -- Proceedings of 24th national passive solar conference, by Campbell-Howe, R.; Wilkins-Crowder, B. [eds.], 779 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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