WASHINGTON – Today, the American Energy Alliance announced a new paid media and grassroots initiative in North Carolina as the state legislature considers whether to move on pending legislation that would freeze the state’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) at 6 percent. The sustained effort will begin with the launch of 60 second radio ads urging Senators Fletcher Hartsell (District 36), Brent Jackson (District 10), Jerry Tillman (District 29), and Andy Wells (District 42) to protect their constituents from more expensive and unreliable energy sources. This initiative will be followed by direct grassroots engagement and education.
North Carolina’s REPS – passed in 2008 – requires that 12.5 percent of the state’s electricity come from costly and unreliable renewable energy sources, which negatively impact North Carolinians.
AEA President Tom Pyle issued the following statement:
“North Carolina lawmakers have an opportunity to begin righting a wrong by freezing the state’s renewable energy mandate. This program has burdened North Carolinians with higher energy prices, less money in their pockets, and fewer jobs. In fact, the only beneficiaries of this program are the special interests who are financially vested in green energy technology.
“Affordable and dependable energy is crucial to North Carolina’s economic success and the well being of North Carolina families. Unfortunately, the renewable energy mandate is standing in the way. Lawmakers should get North Carolina back on track by taking a stand against the REPS.”
Audio:
Hartsell | Jackson | Tillman | Wells
SCRIPT: “There’s still more work to do”
Things are finally starting to turn around for North Carolina’s economy – but there’s still more work to do. And right now our leaders can take one vote that would lift our paychecks, create jobs, and boost our recovery. That vote is to freeze the state’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard. This mandate forces North Carolinians to use more expensive energy sources. Without it, the benefits to North Carolina families would have been four thousand dollars in 2013 alone. We would also of had more jobs – nearly twenty-four thousand more since 2008 to be exact. If freezing this costly mandate sounds like common sense, that’s because it is. So let’s get North Carolina back on track. Call 919-733-5870 and tell Senator Jerry Tillman to freeze the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.
BACKGROUND
Higher Energy Prices Hit Lower Income Households The Hardest In North Carolina: According to Gene R. Nichol, director of the former Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at UNC Law School, poorer households are spending an ever-greater portion of their incomes on electricity. By imposing higher electricity prices on low-income individuals, REPS makes it increasingly difficult for them to make ends meet. (Gene R. Nichol,Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at UNC Law School Director, letter to North Carolina Utilities Commission, 07/16/12)
The REPS Is Standing In The Way Of Job Creation In the Tar Heel State. Since 2008, North Carolina has created 23,769 fewer jobs due to the REPS. (“Renewable Portfolio Standards: North Carolina,” Institute for Political Economy, Utah State University, February 2015, accessed 8/24/15)
Hard Working North Carolina Families Have Less Disposable Income Because Of The REPS: In 2013 alone; the average family in North Carolina could have been $3,870 richer without the REPS in place. (“Renewable Portfolio Standards: North Carolina,” Institute for Political Economy, Utah State University, February 2015, accessed 8/24/15)
North Carolina’s REPS Forces The State To Use More Expensive And Less Dependable Energy Sources When Much More Affordable And Reliable Options Are Available: Compared with new fossil-fuel plants, electricity from new wind farms is between 15% and 54% more expensive. As for solar, EIA data show it will continue to be significantly more expensive than competitors for at least the rest of the decade, and likely far beyond. (“Levelized Cost and Levelized Avoided Cost of New Generation Resources in the Annual Energy Outlook 2015,” U.S. Energy Information Administration, April 14, 2015, accessed: 8/24/15)