Sustainable Living: Getting ahead on renewable energy

[jpak]

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070805/NEWS/708050336/-1/NEWS

Recently, our Central Hudson bill arrived with a zero balance due. My heart skipped a beat, until my hubby pointed out that it was because of a broken meter. If you're into renewable energy like me, you've probably fantasized about watching your electric meter spin backward.

Blooming Grove resident George Thurston made that fantasy a reality. Thurston loves to watch his Orange and Rockland meter spin backward because he is an expert on environmental pollutants and is conscious of the pollution caused by generating our electricity. Thurston is installing a 5 kilowatt-hour solar array to his home that is tied directly into the electric grid. He estimates that on an average sunny day, his solar panels feed about 20 kilowatt hours (kWh) back to his electric utility; this is called "net metering."

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In September 2006, Central Hudson became the only utility in the state to meet its limit in the amount of solar energy it would allow to be net-metered into the grid. It voluntarily increased its net-metering capacity from .8 to 1.2 percent (of its 1996 peak demand). However, this new cap was reached in March, so Central Hudson announced an end to its net-metering program.

THIS SENT A CHILL through the solar industry. Immediately, Sustainable Hudson Valley and New York Solar Energy Industries Association filed a petition with the New York State Public Service Commission, which oversees utilities.

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[NotGivingUp]

1. We've got to do something about these greedy little pigs.

It's time to put an end to this madness.