Press Mention News & Observer June 21, 2010
Topical Mention
The drain of coal
In this mention
A letter to the editor from John Bonitz argues that coal imports drain North Carolina's economy and advocates for stronger renewable energy and efficiency standards. The author cites a Union of Concerned Scientists report showing North Carolina spent $2.3 billion on out-of-state coal in 2008, and criticizes utilities' minimal progress under Senate Bill 3 in meeting renewable and efficiency requirements.
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Full transcript
The drain of coal
Kudos for the June 10 editorial "Mountains of coal." We should all thank Duke Energy for seeking to buy coal free from the horrors of mountaintop removal.
Another cost of coal is the transfer of wealth from states that burn it to those producing it. Here in North Carolina, we spent $2.3 billion on out-of-state coal in 2008, according to a Union of Concerned Scientists report. Importing coal is a drain on North Carolina's economy. Instead, investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency create jobs here and allow ratepayers dollars to recirculate in our own state's economy.
North Carolina is the only Southern state that requires utilities to use a certain amount of renewables and efficiency. Yet since passage of Senate Bill 3, N.C. utilities made little progress - adding mere tens of megawatts when the law calls for thousands. In energy efficiency, our progress is paltry: The report shows that in 2007 N.C. utilities spent only 75 cents per person for efficiency, compared with $254 per person for coal. Sadly, Senate Bill 3 has rules for compliance, but no clear penalties for failure to comply.
We can do better. The U.S. Senate should pass a strong national Renewable Electricity Standard.
John Bonitz
Pittsboro