Net Metering - South Carolina

Even with dark predictions about the economy in 2008, it could be a very exciting year for the people of South Carolina with a simple change by The South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper).

It’s called “True Net Metering”.

When Santee Cooper allows “True Net Metering” think of the money that SC will save driving cars without buying gasoline! Take a minute and look at the video to see how plug-in hybrid cars are making a difference!

Now, if you thought that was great, how about owning a zero-energy-home with no electric bills! For an excellent example of how this works take a look at Austin Energy a utility owned by the city of Austin, TX.
Not only do they have “True Net Metering” but In February of 2007 the Austin City Council passed the Austin Climate Protection Plan resolution that mandates that all new homes constructed in Austin by 2015 shall be Zero Energy Capable Homes and all non-residential buildings shall be 75% more energy efficient than current city code by 2015. To make all of this happen they also offer you a rebate to buy solar photovoltaics.

Austin Energy’s efficiency programs and offerings combined have saved more electricity than the annual output of a 500 megawatt power plant already. That just about the size of the coal fired plant that Santee Cooper want to build on the Pee Dee. In Austin, TX, net metering and rebates to builders to build zero-energy-homes is creating thousands of businesses and high tech jobs and improving their quality of life.

Now take a look at Santee Cooper, who says it is the state’s leading resource for improving the quality of life for the people of South Carolina, but… what are they doing? Spending millions of dollars for a PR campaign on TV, radio, newspapers, and internet ads to convince you that none of these proven net metering and rebate programs will work in South Carolina. The only solution they offer is to build a new coal fired plant.

What is upsetting is Santee Cooper President and CEO Lonnie Carter will issue scare statements, “S.C. will face a 600 megawatt shortage by 2013 and brownouts will threaten not only homes, but schools, hospitals, and nursing homes”. Is it possible no one has told him about Austin Energy? Austin is important because it shows that a government body can take steps within its own realm of control — that this is a problem that can be managed and that there are models that can work.

With the dark clouds of a recession looking at us, South Carolina needs the ability to try to stimulate our economy by allowing “true net metering”. Just like Austin, TX, it would create thousands of businesses, high tech jobs, and keep South Carolinians out of a recession!

A New Years resolution that you can make and keep at the same time.

“Ask Governor Mark Sanford, in 2008, to declare freedom to the people of South Carolina.”

The South Carolina Public Service Authority ( Santee Cooper ) is holding the public hostage by not allowing everyone the freedom to produce renewable energy cheaper than coal. “True Net Metering” is not allowed in South Carolina.

With no controlling oversight by the state, Governor Sanford is the only one who can force Santee Cooper to allow South Carolinians the freedom to be a part of the renewable energy revolution.

Send Governor Sanford an e-mail asking him to intercede with Santee Cooper to release the bondage and give everyone the freedom and ability to produce renewable energy, by allowing “True Net Metering” !

Tell Governor Sanford Santee Cooper is not a pioneer, they haven’t had to be, but the telecom industry wasn’t either, and look what the marketplace has done with that industry. It is only a matter of time before this new technology redirects the energy marketplace and as citizens we have a right to be a part of it. We can’t even try without “True Net Metering” !

Tell Governor Sanford to please take us out of Santee Cooper’s bondage and give us FREEDOM in 2008!

This is a resolution that is easy to keep, here is a sample e-mail to the Governor. Change it or write your own, be sure to include your name and address. It won’t have much impact without it.

Happy New Year!