AECP SUBMITS LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL
AECP has submitted a legislative proposal for consideration by the Consumer Advisory Board at their November 19, 2002 meeting in Richmond, VA. This proposal represents an effort to create an annual revenue stream for the Home Energy Assistance Fund, which is a fund established to provide financial assistance to the Virginia Weatherization Program and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The proposal recommends a three cent a month service charge be applied to every residential electric account in Virginia and that the money collected be deposited into the Home Energy Assistance Fund. AECP believes that low-income citizens will be at the greatest risk in a deregulated electric utility environment if electric costs rise due to competition. The only effective protection is to increase weatherization services for low-income families so that homes can be made more affordable and energy bills reduced.
The Consumer Advisory Board (CAB) is a sub-committee of the Legislative Transition Task Force (LTTF). The LTTF is the legislative group implementing the restructuring of the electric utility industry in Virginia and they have given the CAB the task of making recommendations on behalf of consumers. Check out the LTTF website http://dls.state.va.us/elecutil.htm and follow the path of our proposal.
ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT LOSES STRONG VOICE
On October 25, 2002, a plane crash took the lives of Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife Sheila, their daughter Marcia, the pilots and three members of his staff. Senator Wellstone was a strong voice on behalf of environmental issues and energy conservation initiatives throughout his 12 years in the Senate. The Minnesota Senator was known for his tenacity, his honesty and courage, his intelligence and work ethic, and his unwavering support of the common man. He will be greatly missed.
ARLINGTON COUNTY JOINS GREEN GROUP
Arlington County is Virginia’s first jurisdiction to join a federal program promoting the use of nonpolluting energy sources. The Arlington County Board unanimously approved joining the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Partnership, which binds the county to use nonpolluting sources for at least 3 percent of its electricity. More than 80 groups nationwide, including cities, companies and universities, have signed on to the program since it began in July 2001. Green power is generated from solar, wind, geothermal and biomass resources and low-impact hydro facilities. It reduces the use of fossil fuel, the leading cause of industrial air pollution nationally, according to the EPA.
AWEA PROJECT WIND MARKET WILL GROW
The American Wind Association (AWEA) contends that 2003 will be a record year for the wind market in the U.S. Following an all-time high of 1,696 megawatts (MW) of new installations in 2001, the AWEA projects that well over 2,000 MW of new wind capacity will be installed in the U.S. in 2003. A megawatt is a unit of power equal to one million watts.
PLANT A TREE AND SAVE ENERGY
Winter is an excellent time to plant trees. A new tree will use the winter dormant season to establish new roots. Planting trees in well-placed spots around your home can save money on your heating and cooling bills. In the summer, trees shade your roof and windows and also cool the air around your house. In the winter, evergreen trees can block cold north winds and help keep your home less drafty and more comfortable. Trees also clean the air by emitting oxygen and they can neutralize the harmful effects of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, by absorbing the gas as they grow.
2002 NATIONAL TOUR OF SOLAR BUILDINGS
Home and business owners throughout the U.S. will open their solar buildings to the general public for the American Solar Energy Society’s 2002 National Tour of Solar Buildings. Take the tour and see for yourself how solar energy works for real people in real places. For more information check out the American Solar Energy Society website at www.ases.org.
ENERGY TIP
Be sure that your chimney and vent pipes are clean, unobstructed, properly connected, and lined if necessary – before firing up your gas, oil, or wood heating systems.