Wonder why your electric bill is so high? Today in Raleigh, you can find out about the factors that contribute to higher prices for energy and ideas for rolling back government intervention into the marketplace. It’s a free forum that’s open to the public.
The John Locke Foundation and NC WARN don’t always agree in public policy debates. But the conservative nonprofit think tank and the environmental nonprofit group will highlight shared concerns about North Carolina’s electricity market in a pair of upcoming public forums in Raleigh.
The first forum on Feb. 26 will focus on “The Competitive Challenges to N.C.’s Monopoly Electricity Model.” The second forum on March 20 will focus on “The Prospect of State-Mandated Consumer Financing of Power Plants.” Both events are scheduled 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Raleigh-Brownstone at 1707 Hillsborough Street.
Former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr will moderate panel discussions during both forums. In addition to speakers from JLF and NC WARN, the forums will feature representatives from the Center for Environmental Stewardship, Sustainable Energy Community Development Company, and other groups interested in electricity issues.
JLF and NC WARN agreed to co-host the forums to publicize two key concerns about North Carolina’s electricity market. First, consumers would benefit if North Carolina state government would open up the electricity market to more competition.
Second, consumers reap no benefit from so-called Construction Work in Progress rules. CWIP allows utility companies to charge customers in advance for construction costs linked to new power plants, even if those plants never open.
CWIP and the absence of competitive markets both lead to higher prices for all electricity consumers, but the impact hits low- and moderate-income residential users especially hard. Energy costs eat up a larger portion of those customers’ paychecks.
