Opinion

Commentary: N.C. solar demand shows need to revisit programs

By Ivan Urlaub

The director of the NC Sustainable Energy Association says North Carolina needs to revisit state policies and programs to make sure all customers have access to solar power. If there were any question about how much demand there is for solar energy in North Carolina, the fact that Duke Energy’s solar rebate program was launched for a mere 17 days before effectively “selling out” for the year should settle that debate. After launching the program on July 9, the utility announced on July 26 that its annual participation caps for both residential and commercial customers in the Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress territories were fully subscribed, except for some additional capacity set aside for nonprofits. It’s exciting to see the tremendous interest North Carolina homeowners and businesses showed by applying for the program with such immediacy. The first quarter of 2018 had more than 600 filings for rooftop solar construction — 98 percent of which were residential solar systems — which was the second most in any quarter over the past six years.

Commentary: Electric power sector reduces emissions with shift from coal

Commentary: New book explores Nikola Tesla's clean energy vision

Commentary: Why Pruitt’s biomass designation is bad policy

Commentary: Illinois consumers deserve lowest-cost clean energy

biomass

Commentary: Why Pruitt’s biomass policy change matters

By Tim Echols

A Georgia utility commissioner says EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt understands the important role biomass plays in creating jobs in rural communities.

wind energy

Commentary: Military and wind energy development can coexist

By Lt. Gen. John Castellaw

A retired lieutenant general writes that the U.S. military already has a proven system for assessing energy developments near its operations.

Commentary: Don’t leave low-income New Yorkers out of energy efficiency

By Pamela Rivera, Natural Resources Defense Council

Apartment buildings and other multifamily housing in New York State provide homes to more than 1.7 million low-income households, comprising more than one-fifth of the state’s total homes. Yet most of these New Yorkers reside in the oldest, least efficient housing in the state – a problem that Gov. Andrew Cuomo could help address this month, when he announces a new statewide energy efficiency initiative on Earth Day. The governor has an opportunity to roll out an ambitious proposal to meet the state’s clean energy and climate goals. New Yorkers most in need, and the multi-family rental housing where they live, must be a critical focus for the initiative to be successful. Recent news reports about the New York City Housing Authority provided examples of issues found in low-income rental housing throughout the state, such as inadequate heat, mold and other problems that impact residents’ health and safety.

Opinion

Commentary: Students want more transparency on Duke U gas plant

By Ariyani Challapalli

A Duke University student says the school owes students more transparency around its decision to build a new gas plant.

Opinion

Commentary: Edison-era energy solution plays role in Virginia’s grid modernization

By Bruce Hedman

One of the most progressive measures in a bill to modernize Virginia’s grid relies on some of the oldest electrical technology around – harkening back to Thomas Edison’s very first power plant.