The common good

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A letter to the editor from John Bonitz cites a Southern Alliance for Clean Energy study documenting North Carolina's substantial renewable energy potential (15,777 MW wind, 9,111 MW biopower, 55,628 MW solar) to counter Progress Energy's claims that renewables are infeasible. Bonitz argues utilities should prioritize clean energy development to serve the common good rather than pursuing centralized coal and nuclear power.

A recent study by Southern Alliance for Clean Energy showed that North Carolina has 15,777 MW of wind energy potential, 9,111 MW of biopower potential and 55,628 MW of solar energy potential.
John Bonitz

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The common good

Published: Mon, Mar. 16, 2009 06:12PM | Modified Mon, Mar. 16, 2009 06:16PM

In response to your March 10 article "Energy targets out of reach," I must say that Progress Energy is singing the same old song — the wind don't blow, the sun don't shine, and we can't grow anything. It is simply inaccurate.

A recent study by Southern Alliance for Clean Energy showed that North Carolina has 15,777 MW of wind energy potential, 9,111 MW of biopower potential and 55,628 MW of solar energy potential. A 2008 La Capra study for our General Assembly concluded that renewable energy would create 10,000 jobs (a conservative estimate).

The state of North Carolina has set policies for the development of these lower cost renewable energy technologies. Unfortunately, in our utilities' unwavering pursuit of big, centralized coal and nuclear power, they have chosen to neglect these opportunities.

Our electric utilities are regulated for a reason: to serve the common good. In the past, this has simply meant cheap electricity. In the 21st century, as the true costs of cheap, dirty electricity are exposed, we need Progress Energy and Duke Energy to get off the fence and become leaders in serving the common good — reliable, cost-effective, clean, renewable electricity.

John Bonitz
Pittsboro