North Carolina passed a law in 2007
called the
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS),
which requires power utilities to get certain percentages of their energy from
“renewable energy resources or energy efficiency measures.”
To that NC added frequent, detailed, public reporting,
and thus enabled a renewable energy industry.
Power utilities don’t like to reveal data about their energy sources or sales
any more than Internet organizations like to reveal security problems.
The key to REPS is
the reporting it requires:
“Beginning in 2009, each power supplier is required to file a compliance
report, detailing the actions it has taken to fulfill the requirements
of the REPS.”
This is called the
Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Tracking System.
It provides the data to see which utilities are providing how much of
which kind of energy.
According to Ivan Urlaub of the North Carolina Sustainable Energy
Association (NCSEA),
REC reporting enabled the solar industry in North Carolina:
“The passage of the REPS law in 2007 and resulting success of the
North Carolina’s clean energy market has created the rapid start-ups
and expansions of clean energy businesses from installers to developers
to manufacturers and the associated service sectors over the last few
years.”
Not only is North Carolina now one of the national leaders in solar energy,
but
91% of NC voters want more solar power,
with wind second, and everything else far behind.
REC enabled not only a renewable energy industry, but also selection
within that industry for what works.
How did this happen?
Continue reading →
Atlanta-based Southern Co. has agreed to produce a comprehensive report on its current renewable energy projects and plans for future development of renewables, an environmental organization reported Thursday.
“To achieve that goal, utilities need to immediately shift Continue reading