Cleaning Public Power: 
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Initiatives

Tuesday, April 29, 2003
2:00 – 3:30 pm, 216 Hart Senate Office Building

 The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a Congressional briefing on the exciting renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives taking place in the public power sector.  Public utilities provide roughly 15 percent of the nation’s electricity, and are taking steps, now more than ever, to utilize money-saving and environmentally friendly renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.  Initiatives such as the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Energy Right program and Austin Energy’s Green Building and GreenChoice programs are helping consumers and utilities save energy, save money, and save the environment from harmful power plant emissions.  As Congress moves forward on a comprehensive energy policy, these initiatives exemplify the valuable attributes renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives possess for the electric utility sector.  Discussing the range, successes, and future prospects of these initiatives was the the following panelists:

 Briefing Panel by Topic:

Ø   Austin Energy’s Green Programs
Roger Duncan, Vice President, Austin Energy

 Ø   Rural Electric Producers and Renewable Energy
John Holt, Manager, National Rural Electric Cooperation Association
Presentation

Ø      Tennessee Valley Authority's Green Power Switch Program
Gary Harris, Manager, TVA Green Power Switch Program
Presentation

Ø      Green Public Power
Rebecca Blood, Senior Governmental Relations Representative, American Public Power Association
Presentation

         The unique attributes of publicly owned utilities are triggering these vital initiatives, which benefit both individual consumers and the nation as a whole.  This past year, Austin Energy’s GreenChoice renewable energy program recorded the most green energy sales in the nation, and their Green Buildings program was awarded the Green Building Council’s Program of the Year award.  Similarly, in 2002, over 3400 Seattle City Light customers, including 34 businesses, signed up for Seattle City Light’s Green Power program.  These programs represent only a sliver of the significant work that is currently taking place all over the nation.  However, the continued growth of these initiatives is intricately linked to the energy policies produced by the federal government.  Come learn how these initiatives operate and prosper, and what type of policies can help support their continued success.            

        For more information about the briefing, please contact JR Drabick at EESI at 202-662-1886 or jrdrabick@eesi.org.