This morning’s News & Observer tells us that energy “efficiency advocates” are scurrying to convince government leaders to enact more stringent efficiency mandates. Why the rush?
Energy conservation is increasingly promoted as an alternative to
building new power plants, but in this state efficiency advocates are
in a race against the clock to tap conservation methods.Progress
Energy and Duke Energy are proposing six new nuclear reactors in the
Carolinas and Florida. Duke this year began construction on its
Cliffside coal-burning power plant west of Charlotte.If big
power plants are built, they could satisfy the state’s electricity
needs for the next half-century: That would wipe out any urgency to try
other options, advocates fear.
So there’s no fear that we can meet our energy needs. The advocates fear their impending irrelevance.
For a more rational take on the value of low-cost energy, click here.
