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August 14, 2008

PennFuture touts bill to promote electrical energy conservation

Proclamation-signing drive for House Bill 2200 announced, as is launch of Web site.

For those worried about electricity price spikes expected in a few years, conservationists say look to the gas pump.

Gas prices soared, people started using less gas and now they’re falling again. If consumers act now, advocates say, Pennsylvanians can stave off the spikes before they happen by using the same strategy.

Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future, also known as PennFuture, held a news conference on Wednesday to announce the launch of a Web site and a proclamation-signing campaign, both supporting House Bill 2200’s passage in the state Senate.

The bill, which passed the state House in February, would provide incentives for reducing electricity consumption and require utilities to install “smart” meters for customers.

PennFuture says it wants to get as many state senators as possible to sign a proclamation supporting the bill before the Senate returns to session in September.

“The failure to act for this past year has already cost consumers a lot of money,” said Jan Jarrett, the director of communications at PennFuture. The Web site, titled “How do you spell relief? HB 2200,” is at www.hb2200SpellsRelief.org.

Smart meters, which have been installed for each of PPL Corp.’s 1.4 million customers, automatically send usage information to the company. The technology allows users to manage their energy usage on a continuing basis.

Part of the legislation would require utilities to offer rate plans that allow customers to use the meters to pay less, either by buying power on an hourly basis or by time-of-use pricing. Such pricing would have increased prices during peak hours during the day and lower prices during the evening and night hours.

Jarrett noted that electricity infrastructure, such as new plants and transmission lines, is driven by peak energy demand, so that reducing that demand, much like with gas, will reduce prices and the necessity for more infrastructure.

State Rep. Greg Vitali, a supporter of the legislation, said it needs to be passed before the Nov. 5 election because the state Senate doesn’t plan to return after that for the rest of this session.

“I think their (PennFuture’s) pledge campaign is just the right note here,” he said, urging rank-and-file senators to express support to their party leaders.

The issue has even caught on in the religious community. The Rev. Sandy Strauss, the director of public advocacy for the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, said her group sees itself as “stewards of creation,” rather than owners.

“We believe that we need to create a more sustainable environment,” she said. “We know that our legislators, when they have the will to make something happen, can make it happen quickly.”

Jarrett noted that a 1-percent drop in usage during peak hours can mean a 10-percent price reduction. She said experience in California and Vermont shows that implementing conservation programs such as those in the bill produced energy savings of 20 percent.

Rory Sweeney, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 970-7418.

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