Report: N.C. can expand alternative energy without soaring rates

[jpak]

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/local/16232652.htm

RALEIGH, N.C. - Using renewable energy resources such as wind turbines to produce a small portion of the state's electric power would help North Carolina's economy and environment while not raising customer bills dramatically, according to a report released Wednesday.

The report, prepared for a legislative panel by outside consultants hired by the North Carolina Utilities Commission, said there are sufficient resources for utilities to meet a 5 percent "renewable portfolio standard" by 2017.

And the state could reach a 10 percent standard if energy efficiency programs contributed to one-quarter of that amount, the report said.

In both scenarios, the increasing dependence on wind turbines, biomass energy, hydroelectric dams and other alternatives would result in a less than 1 percent increase in electric rates. But energy conservation efforts required as part of the 10 percent standard presented also would reduce retail consumption, according to the findings.

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