Most recent net metering map for the US (May 2008)

August 27, 2008

From DOE/ EERE, via IREC (original image found here) - the most recent map of states in the US that have net metering policies. South Carolina is one of the blank spots with no such policy.

Not all of them are good net metering policies, of course. Check out this report - Freeing the Grid: 2007 Edition (report prepared by the Network for New Energy Choices, IREC, et al) (.pdf).

There is a big difference between true net metering (such as the policy that just passed in Colorado this year) and other forms of net metering. The new Colorado law revised an old one from 2005.

Some of the things that make a difference - the size of the installation allowed (is it big enough for farm and business needs? or does it just serve small residential customers?), additional requirements by utilities such as external disconnect switches to be installed at customer expense, the rate of reimbursement to the customer-generator, etc.

— Maril Hazlett, www.climateandenergy.org

As we read in GoGreenSolar.com they call Santee Cooper just plain and simple Greenwashing and defined it as the following,

“the unjustified appropriation of environmental virtue by a company, an industry, a government, a politician or even a non-government organization to create a pro-environmental image, sell a product or a policy, or to try and rehabilitate their standing with the public and decision makers after being embroiled in controversy.”

Now is the time for everyone to ask South Carolina elected officials “Why is our state owned utility ( Santee-Cooper ) doing this?”

When you think about the technology that is available today that could make any home a zero-energy-home, everyone should be asking the question “Why doesn’t South Carolina allow true net metering?”.

It is very hard for me to understand why South Carolina Republicans and Democrats alike are not supporting “true net metering”. After all, true net metering is not a government hand out, no need for a tax increase, just empowerment of the individual to make his own power.

Why are we all waiting for state owned utility, Santee Cooper, and our politicians to build expensive coal fired plants to control our energy when solar and wind are personal resources?

The US Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Homes research initiative is bringing a new concept to homebuilders across the United States. That is everywhere but South Carolina!

It’s not rocket science, we can develop and harness this ourselves for business, home, or school. Why wait and plan for South Carolina to enslave us with higher energy costs, we must demand that our state government give us the right to pay for and control our own energy for a change.

Someone should remind Santee Cooper that Einstein’s definition of insanity was “doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”

Run some “Smart” socket ads Santee Cooper, tell us why you are keeping us in the dark about “true net metering”?

The S.C. Business Journal published a lead-off story about Santee Cooper paying $658,157 between Aug. 30 and Dec. 18 to Charleston-based public relations firm Rawle-Murdy to help promote their “green” initiatives and boost their image. They wanted to capture the Kool-Aid Drinkers.

This green program has produced billboard signs, TV ads, radio ads, newspaper ads, internet web sites, and internet ads. They all sprung up like dandelions in the spring. According to Laura Varn, Santee Cooper’s vice president of corporate communications “We brought them on board to help us with the most critical issue facing South Carolina, and that is the issue of how do we meet the future energy needs of the state.”

It appears that with Rawle-Murdy’s research they solved the problem. Bribe the “Kool-Aid Drinkers” with a $2.7 million dollar light bulb give-a-way. As they sit under the glow of their fluorescent light bulbs, they will forget about “true net metering” as a way to reduce future energy demands (do you prefer cherry or grape?). Their research didn’t even touch on zero-energy-homes like what some utilities are doing to reduce energy consumption.

So now Santee Cooper has spent $3.5 million dollars on Kool-Aid and light bulbs and the only solution they have come up with is to burn more coal.

Quit spending our state money on kool aid Santee Cooper and try this! “How Does ‘Zero’ Sound for a Monthly Electricity Bill?”

Thursday, Jan. 31 2008
How Does ‘Zero’ Sound for a Monthly Electricity Bill?

PR Newswire
Comtex

PHOENIX, Jan 31, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Catalyst Communities, the developer of Aura at Camelback, a 36-unit sustainable luxury living community to be built in Phoenix’s Camelback Corridor, today announced the launch of its pioneering Zero Electricity Bill program that guarantees buyers will pay zero cost for their monthly electricity bill.

Aura’s unique Zero Electricity Bill program offer is possible due to the synergy of three key elements: the development’s unique LEED Silver Certified energy efficient design, the inclusion of photovoltaic solar electricity on every home and the conservation-minded residents Catalyst Communities expects to attract.

Each of the 36 residences at Aura will be fitted with state-of-the-art solar technology from Agenera, a Phoenix-based solar utility provider. Each unit will be equipped with a dedicated rooftop solar photovoltaic system that will generate up to 100 percent of the electricity needs of the unit. This is part of each unit’s design and not simply an option to buyers.

As part of its unprecedented eco-friendly program, Catalyst Communities will cover all electric utility costs for the first five years of ownership thanks to Aura’s advanced sustainable system design.

True net metering is a proven way to reduce future energy demands and a program that South Carolina should at least be able to try!

Builders are finding that every home owner wants a home with a little or no electric bill each month. Not only do renewable energy homes save people money over time by reducing power and heating bills, they can reduce water usage, improve indoor air quality and give owners a competitive edge when they need to sell their houses. As the price of electric goes up so does the market value of zero-energy-homes.

In South Carolina where summer heat often exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit, selling zero-energy homes equipped with solar panels, tankless water heaters and additional insulation can make buyers be “cash-flow positive” for the additional money spent on their homes in a month due to lower power bills. In an area where monthly summer electrical bills of $500 are possible, the chance for saving on power will attract buyers in a lackluster market and beyond.

It is easy to see why the renewable energy concept of “True Net Metering” could put the South Carolina housing market into one of the top spots in the country.

So why is it there are no zero-energy-homes with renewable energy being built or sold in South Carolina? Our state owned utility, South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper), does not want anyone to be able to produce electricity other than Santee Cooper. As a state owned authority, they have absolute control over how energy is produced and transmitted for almost 2 million people in South Carolina. A very large bureaucratic monopoly.

Everywhere net metering is allowed and encouraged with good rules by the utilities, high tech jobs, manufacturing businesses, and whole communities of zero-energy-homes spring up like dandelions in the spring.

With the energy industry professionals telling us South Carolina’s demand for electricity is quickly outstripping supply and electric bills could double over the next 10 years or so, we have to ask the question “Why is Santee Cooper blocking all attempts of allowing “True Net Metering” to its’ customers”!

If electricity use is outstripping supply and building more plants or buying from outside sources it their answer, what is wrong with homes, business, schools, county, and city buildings having photovoltaic cells on their roofs that produce electricity during the peak load times of the day and buy from them?

It’s reasonable to think that Santee Cooper, a state owned utility with a mission statement that reads, “To be the state’s leading resource for improving the quality of life for the people of South Carolina”, that home owners would have great net metering rules and rebates to encouraging renewable energy!

How can they be called a leader in economic development when South Carolina is one of the last states to allow true net metering?

This tried and proven system called “True Net Metering” is working in 40 States sure looks like a no brainer for Santee Cooper, who keeps telling us they need more electricity, but, keeps blocking the sun….

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!

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!

“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!

What in the world is going on at Santee Cooper? Is it possible all of the officers, board of directors, and engineers have their heads in the sand?

As the country races to embrace the renewable energy revolution, Santee Cooper won’t allow true net metering and wants to build more coal fired plants. Have they not seen the current news stories? Click here to see this: Renewable energy cheaper than coal?

It is not hard to realize that if Santee Cooper would simply allow true net metering to all of it’s customers it is possible coal fired plants, like the proposed Pee Dee plant, would not be needed. You would think that Santee Cooper would not want the utility to become a part of the problem, that they would want to be part of the solution. Committed to helping build a clean energy future.

The amazing part of this, Santee Cooper would not have to float any bonds or do any construction all of this would be done by the new businesses, factories, and the new high tech jobs that would be created by allowing “TRUE” NET METERING in South Carolina.

True net metering would also give us the ability to have plug-in hybrid cars Everyone needs to plan ahead as $4.00 plus a gallon gasoline is just down the road.

With true net metering in South Carolina all of this could be reached in a matter of "years, not decades.

If you believe that all of this is possible, Please communicate with Santee Cooper and ask them to give the people a chance to embrace the renewable energy revolution. All everyone is asking is the ability to be able to try. State authorities are supposed to help the people, aren’t they?

Come on Santee Cooper pull your heads out of the sand, call Google they will show you how to do it!

Electric for $1 watt

None of these stories come from South Carolina, WHY you ask?

The management at Santee Cooper is stopping the renewable energy revolution in South Carolina by not allowing true “Net Metering”. We are getting the short end of the stick!

Santee Cooper’s well funded public relations department just keeps the propaganda flowing by telling us that their “Net Billing” program is just like “Net Metering”. The truth is “Net Billing” is nowhere like “Net Metering”.

▪ They forgot to tell you that only 10 people are allowed to join in the Santee Cooper “Net Billing” program.
▪ That you have to change your billing rate to a time of use rate.
▪ That it is possible that after you spend your money to install a solar system that it is only a trial program.
▪ That the program could change at the next board meeting.
▪ That solar systems will hurt their linemen.
▪ And the real propaganda, Lonnie Carter, Santee Cooper’s chief executive officer said “We are being more generous than some of the other utilities on this,” Carter said. “I think we’ve taken every step we can within reason to encourage this to happen.”

The reality is Mr. Carter will not allow Santee Cooper to offer true net metering. What makes this even harder to understand about true net metering, as advocated by the Department of Energy, Santee Cooper won’t have to create any debt, buy any solar panels, install anything, maintain anything, or sell any bonds to finance the program. Net metering just allows us to do that.

Please understand, South Carolina Public Service Authority is only controlled by the Governor and the Legislators, Santee Cooper can only be forced to allow true “Net Metering” by them. Only then converting your dwelling to a solar home in effect gives you the ability to become your own power company. And through a true net-metering program any excess power your home generates can be sold back to your local utility at the retail rate. This takes peak load off the utility in the middle of the day. This, along with the tax incentives offered by the US Government for investing in alternative energy, make it economically feasible for the first time in history to convert your home to a solar powered home.

Owning a solar home and being self sufficient can give you a great feeling of accomplishment knowing that you are not contributing to more coal pollutants in the air or mercury in the water. You no longer have to worry about power outages on the grid whether from storms or system outages. With your new solar powered home comes a new awareness of just how much electricity you are consuming and how much you have wasted in the past. You will never again turn on a light switch without giving it a second thought. In other words you will become a more responsible user of energy.

With the increased efficiency in solar technologies, the move to a reliance on solar power and alternative energy is gaining mass appeal everywhere except South Carolina. Santee Cooper does not want you to know that the initial cost of installing a solar power system in your home may be lower than many years of outrageous electrical bills, thanks to the fact that it’s actually cheaper than burning coal. Take the time to figure out what is really happening in the world of solar energy so you can make some informed choices and demand that Santee Cooper allow true “Net Metering”.

Nanosolar is just one of many companies that are trying to minimize long-term electric bills. They have created coatings as thin as a layer of paint and can transfer sunlight into power quite efficiently. Imagine the possibilities, from solar coated shingles to solar lined windows making your home a cleaner and safer environment to live in.

Isn’t equity in your house better than paying Santee Cooper for coal?

Links to the outside world!
Net Metering in New Jersey
Even in Wyoming you can be completely off the grid…
PUC adopts low-income solar incentive program
Zero-energy home initiative approved
Solar powered homes selling quickly

Isn’t this time to ask your Governor and your Legislators “Why is the State of South Carolina stopping the energy revolution!”