"government rules in Virginia and North Carolina that at least 12 percent of the company's energy come from renewable sources by 2022."

Actually, in Virginia the 12% renewables is VOLUNTARY, not mandatory. In North Carolina, it's 12.5% MANDATORY by 2021, not 2022. See the map below.

does not the bill also include 10% from conservation and energy efficiecy?  Combined that's 22% by 2022.  Some states also define conservation and energy efficiency as part of the RPS, see the state of CT.  (Please advise if I am incorrect.)

Furthermore...

"Virginia Energy Plan estimates that achieving the
goal could cost around $300 million per year between 2008 and 2022, yet the Plan also finds that conservation costs considerably less than the cost of new electric supply."

My interpretation of the use of "voluntary" in the legislative act, was more on the lines that Dominion and the other state's utility as well as the state's utility board (the SCC) were actually "unsure" how much could be accomplished.  The SCC was ordered to work with the utilities to determine what is fair and reasonable.  

In my previous post mentioned last week, I linked the SCC's recommendation, which was state utilities could indeed achieve the 10% energy reduction on 2006 consumption by year 2022.  

Refer to SB1416 and SCC staff report 11.17.2007

Please don't post if you're going to throw out random numbers then add at the end "Please advise if I am incorrect." Research your case, don't just throw stuff out there and hope it's right.

We try to stay fact-based around here, it's not THAT hard to do!

...considering that the map doesn't includes varying standards definition as to what comprises an RPS, it can be considered misleading all by itself.  

My reference of correcting me if I was wrong, referred to "some states", as I already knew and stated the same that the state of CT includes in its RPS energy efficiency & conservation; AND, it should be obvious to those who read my post, the state of VA does not include EE & C, as it is a separate standard.  Others states who do are Maine and PA.  Others who don't are MD and Mass.

If VA had the similar definition as PA or CT, then it would appear to me VA's RPS percentage would be 22% based on that map, and Dominion and the Dominion-financed state assembly and MME would look allot more green, dontcha think?  Also, in order to give readers a better understanding, feel free Miles to add those states you know which do and do not include EE & C to their state's RPS.  

I really don't see your point, except to be an apologist for Dominion Power.  Sorry, it's not working.  Dominion sucks.

"Actually, what it's called is "greenwashing" -- public relations to make Dominion LOOK like it's doing something about the environment, when actually it's moving at a snail's pace -- backwards.  Aside from the new coal-fired power plant, Dominion also fought against the proposed 15% renewable fuels mandate that was defeated in the U.S. Senate last week.  Why?  Dominion whine that it's just sooooooo hard to reach 15% renewables -- solar, wind, wave, geothermal, biomass, etc. -- even though this is a miniscule percentage by almost any standard.  What would Dominion do if it were in Germany, where the country is shooting for 30% renewables by 2020?  Apparently, they'd whine a lot, lobby the government to back off, ask people for "ideas" (hint: look at Europe or many other states in this country), anything but roll up their sleeves to just get the damn job done! " posted by Lowell.

That's actually 12% for renewables + 10% by ee & c combined 22% by 2022.  Your map doesn't fairly define RPS, so VA looks like its below the average state who have enacted new energy policy.  If VA defined their RPS similar to other states, you're view of VA and your argument against DVP would be different for sure, as would the tone!

While new generation in Wise Co is not great news regardless of fuel type, perhaps you would find better comfort in the words of a very senior congressional energy committee member and fellow democrat -

"I am very pleased by Dominion's selection of a site for the future development of a new clean-coal power generation plant in Wise County.  I will work with Dominion to ensure all federal regulatory requirements are resolved as expeditiously as possible."  

Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon) May 16, 2006
Member U.S. House of Rep. Committee on Energy and Commerce
Chairman U.S. House of Rep. Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality  

n/t

What part of my reply is inaccurate or to your disfavor?

The fact is, *if* the state of VA defined its RPS like the states of CT and PA, that map posted by Lowell would show 22% over our state!  

 

I think one of your sentences sums up the entire problem very nicely: "The SCC was ordered to work with the utilities to determine what is fair and reasonable."

Herein lies the problem - "fair and reasonable" is highly subjective.  Even if we took out the players with vested interest (i.e. allowing Dominion much of a say in "fair and reasonable" is ridiculous) and asked an average Joe on the street, their answer would vary drastically.  

As long as people still have doubt about the dire global consequences of pollution - the scenario that's being sold hard by Dominion and other energy companies - "fair and reasonable" will result in very little change in regulations (perhaps even a roll back) because any reasonable person would not support lost jobs, higher utility prices, or rolling brownouts due to lack of supply in a high regulation situation.  And all Dominion needs to do is sow a small amount of doubt and most people will buy into their argument.

The reality is that our global situation is rapidly becoming objective as there becomes less and less doubt (through strong scientific evidence) about the results of our pollution.  But Dominion will continue to play it as subjective, therefore giving themselves a chance to avoid what really must happen - and happen soon.

...were a variety of state officials, utility personnel, energy efficiency & conservation industry persons, citizens, and clean energy advocates.  The SCC used 5 or 6 work groups to determine the facts and provide recommendations.  That info appears to have been taken in full by the SCC, who put quite a strong summation to the governor and to the state assembly.  From there, the governor can issue an executive order, which is what I hope, or the assembly could draft some new legislation. The statement you quoted applied strictly to EE & C.  So I believe the process to determine what is fair & reasonable given is quite fair & reasonable.  Afterall, 22% in demand reduction and alterative energy by 2022, appears well above the average of the 49 other states.  

Can Virginia and Dominion do more?  I'm sure they can, and as time passes, and technology improves, and costs decrease and efficiency increase, and pilots prove positives, we'll see new executive orders and legislation pass to increase the state's alternative energy consumption and in energy efficiency & conservation.

As for whether Dominion is cooperating to help the climate, we all have to realize they have a huge responsibility and it goes beyond what just green folks want.  If their application to provide add'l power is proven to be unsubstantiated or against policy, the SCC can solicite and receive other information.  The battle for Wise Co., has only just begun as far as the legal process goes.  

I'm not for new coal, but I don't think the response to new coal right now, is merely "lets put up thousands of windmills on the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coastal waters, and get Dominion to install them."  Instead I think people need to look at our national energy plan as a whole, and determine where (regions) and who (states) can supply what appropriate amounts of wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, wave, tidal, new hydro, gas, oil, coal, nuclear, etc.  I say energy efficiency and conservation can be accomplished by all (% based on age of infrastructure and amount of demand), because ee & c is not limited by geography or exposure to the environment.  If Virginia isn't one of those states so fortunately blessed either geographically or environmentally, don't blame Dominion Power, unless they fail miserably at what we know they can do, that is energy efficiency & conservation.  

----------------

Dominion, Virginia Tech Partner To Address Climate Change Issue For Power Stations

Dominion provides $500,000 toward groundbreaking Virginia Tech research

Test site in Southwest Virginia selected to store carbon dioxide emissions

Project complements other Dominion-supported efforts on climate change

http://www.dom.com/news/dom200...

---------------
GreatPoint Energy to Build Leading-Edge Research Center and Clean Energy Demonstration Plant at Dominion's Brayton Point Power Station in Somerset, Mass.

Facility to be the most advanced of its kind globally for demonstrating environmentally beneficial gasification technology to produce ultra-clean natural gas

http://www.electricenergyonlin...

DVP press release "We are extremely pleased that GreatPoint Energy has chosen Dominion and Brayton Point to host the further testing of this highly promising technology," said Mark F. McGettrick, president and chief executive officer of Dominion Generation. "The potential of this project to solve two major problems ? making America more energy independent and reducing emissions of carbon dioxide - cannot be ignored."

--------------

Dominion gets early permit approval for expanding North Anna nuclear power facility

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/...

If DVP moves forward with a new reactor promptly, it can be up and running by 2015/16 and thus avoid another new or an expanded existing plant!

--------------

DVP request green energy producers to submit proposals

http://www.dom.com/about/stati...

"...Dominion is committed to meeting the Commonwealth's ambitious goal of 12 percent of its base year electric energy sales coming from renewable energy sources by calendar year 2022. Dominion is also committed to meeting North Carolina's renewable energy and energy efficiency portfolio standard of 12.5 percent goal in 2021 of Dominion's North Carolina retail sales. Accordingly, Dominion is committed to exploring a full range of alternatives for providing renewable energy to its customers."

"Dominion Resource Services (DRS) is accepting Proposals for Renewable Energy Projects in the following locations:
1) Virginia
2) North Carolina
3) PJM Interconnection area"

Location doesn't have to be limited by state line.

"Preference will be given to REC Proposals for projects in North Carolina which utilize poultry waste, swine waste or solar as an energy source."

Too bad VA law didn't require Dominion to give preference for tobacco-crop replacement and swine waste as well, so we could have kept the alternative generation in state, if it was to the benefits of Virginians!

"DRS will give preference to a 100% acquisition of project assets. Partial ownership offers will be considered on a case by case basis; however, DRS will not consider projects where Dominion ownership will be less than 50%."

"Dominion supports the growth and development of diverse businesses, including but not limited to small businesses and those led by minorities and women. We encourage them in competing for opportunities to provide materials and services regardless of race, national origin, or gender."

 

with your paragraph beginning "Can Virginia and Dominion do more?..."  

That paragraph is very passive - waiting for time to change technology, waiting for more information, waiting for pilot programs to show a new way.  And I believe that passive attitude, whether fostered by groups with profit motives (i.e. Dominion and friends) or just plain folk who don't want to get tangled in the difficulties of rapid change, is an attitude that is causing massive delays in progress.  Sure, if we site back eventually something will happen.  Eventually technology will improve.  Eventually someone will figure something out that will change something.  

Without strong pressure the industry will move slowly, passively.  Proof?  It's in your comment.  A few positive programs from Dominion (like those you cite) are better than none, right?  Well, yeah, but that still falls under slow passive progress.  And not much progress in the bigger picture.  Sounds more like the "greenwashing" mentioned elsewhere in this post.

We, as a country, have proven time and time again that if properly motivated we can rise to the occasion.  That we can overcome difficult obstacles and prevail in whatever our goal.  But it has never happened passively.  There was always a threat (the civil war, WWII) or a passionate leader (man on the moon) driving our rapid advances.  Its usually painful - the pain of change and of sacrifice - but in the end worth the cost.  

And that's what we have developing now.  A global and local threat - although some refuse to believe it or it's magnitude.  So we either need to get the population to believe what the experts, the environmental scientists, all agree upon, or we need a leader, one who will ignore the critics and the "passive change" advocates and provide the motivation for rapid change.

I recall seeing one of Dominion's puffery ads -- full page -- in the Post recently.  Do such expenses go into the rate base or is it something that only their shareholders pay for?  In other words, do we pay for Dominion's propaganda?

We pay for all the garbage they churn out - advertising and pollution.  

Dominion is not the regulated utility.  So, their expenses would not be included in a rate filing unless they were incurring expenses on behalf of the utility.  Even still all intercompany agreements must be approved by the SCC and the SCC has the authority to review and disallow the recovery of any expense.  I think Virginia Power would be hard pressed to get PR expenses approved as a part of their revenue requirement.

Most likely shareholders are paying for this.  But you can verify with it with the SCC directly.  

also mentions that Dominion is imposing a Feb. 1 deadline to receive proposals from businesses involved in alternative energy sources.  That's a joke! How can any legitimate business put together something that quickly?  Obviously, Dominion isn't serious about this and it's all PR.  

If Dominion WERE serious, it would be hauling ass to reduce demand, promote energy efficiency, and far exceed the pathetic 12% voluntary target by many percent points and by several years.  

Do you think that the deregulation bill from last year could be amended this time to make the 12% mandatory?  Or can new life be brought to Sen. Whipple's RPS bill?

I'd also increase it from 12% to 20% by 2020.  As the Bali summit, the Nobel Peace prize to Al Gore and the IPCC, and $90 per barrel oil all show, it's time to start screwing around here and get serious.  Right now, here in Virginia, we're far from serious about global warming.

They could very well bring it up in the Senate again.  But they would have to get it past the House.  I would like to see them try it though.  It would be interesting to see how much sway Dominion has on the Democratic side of the aisle now.  

"Dominion opposed the national standard, arguing that a state-by-state approach to renewable energy is better" -- and then Dominion successfully opposed a mandatory state renewable portfolio standard in Virginia as well.

The real goal, then, was to shift this legislative fight to the playing field where they have the most clout to kill it.

Well-heeled Lobbyists Start Here.

The SCC will be hearing comments on January 8th in Richmond about the proposed Wise County Power Plant.  The hearing starts at 10:00, but can arrive and  sign in before 9:45 if you want to testify (remarks are limited to 3 minutes).  Speaking of the SCC,  here's an interesting story about a vacancy on the commission that will be filled after the beginning of the year:

http://www.tricities.com/trist...

I love it.....

Doesn't Connolly own some  Dominion Power stock?  How does this stack up against his Cool Counties push?  

RK, keep turning up the heat on Dominion......