Report: Railbelt communities need to become more energy efficient
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The project, organized by the Alaska Conservation Alliance and other groups, estimates Railbelt communities and their electric utilities could save almost $1 billion through 2025 with a slate of efficiency-related initiatives.
Anchorage and the city of Fairbanks have made the switch to light-emitting diode streetlight bulbs, work the report cited as a positive example.
Energy specialists and key lawmakers applauded the work Tuesday, saying the projects would provide utilities and communities the most bang for their collective investment in energy.
Senate and House energy committees are already weighing huge bills that would start or supplement projects to reduce energy demand. Some states have gone further by helping property owners install clean energy projects and repay the loans through property taxes.
“That’s giving them a competitive advantage” over other locations, said Chris Rose, who leads the Renewable Energy Alaska Project.
House and Senate bills already incorporate a handful of the report’s recommended measures. Rep. Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage and co-chairwoman of the House energy committee, backed the report and applauded joint efforts behind its production. Rep. Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham and the other committee co-chairman, said the committee’s tour of Alaska convinced the group that residents want efficiency options as they look to cut energy costs.
“The old saying that the less power you use, the less you pay, really does apply,” Edgmon said.
The report is dubbed the Railbelt Electricity Efficiency Landscape in Alaska Roadmap. Developed with energy consultants, it projects Railbelt communities can halve electric demand by 2025 largely through changes in behavior, such as switching to more efficient appliances and improved heating and ventilation systems. Supporters Tuesday said such measures would place less long-term pressure on utilities to build new power plants and replace transmission lines and would leave more disposable income circling the economy.
The report also suggests utility companies should form a joint efficiency utility office to oversee efforts, a step also recommended by energy consultants hired last year by the Alaska Energy Authority.
I really appreciate that people are talking about the low-hanging fruit and the easy ways we can cut energy use, rather than commanding everyone to change their lifestyles. And I think efficiency updates would be a great place for our legislators to start in their overall effort to provide better energy options. We need both statewide and national legislation to get this done, so I support both the Alaska Sustainable Energy Act and the national Senate clean energy bill.
Seriously, I have a 5-star plus house with all energy star appliances, and my monthly electric bill is still well over $200 a month with the same usage that used to cost me only $60. On top of that GVEA just started a new program that if you are late on a payment they will be asking for a $500 deposit on your account.
Last time I checked, cars still come with working headlights.
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As for the bigger issue: more population means more electrical usage. PERIOD
These environmental groups never seem to figure out the root cause.
"Use a little energy and do something"
Then when a fellow uses a little ENERGY .. they get all excited and tell you ..
"Turn off the lights and conserve energy."