The government is one of the largest consumer of energy in the state (if not the largest). When fuel costs go up, who will pay the bill? Taxpayers, of course. Thanks to Senate Bill 3 which Mike Easley signed into law yesterday, a part of energy in North Carolina must now come from renewable energy sources. Estimates are that energy costs will increase $500 million annually.

Last night, at the NC Agribusiness Council?s annual dinner we learn that gubernatorial candidate Richard Moore wants to ?use the government to jumpstart? the renewable energy industry. He wants state government to be a leading consumer and promoter of these expensive alternative sources of energy.

What he doesn?t mention is that, as energy prices increase, each one of us will pay more, as a residential consumer, in increased commercial costs as businesses pass along their increased costs and especially as a taxpayer who pays the government?s energy bill.

See the report from Moore’s meeting last night here.