Let’s All Encourage Widespread Efficiency

By DAN THORNE

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Re-regulation of electricity will likely increase the rate consumers pay. OK – so long as with the rate increase, (1) Virginians are guaranteed the existing power grid will be more efficient, (2) consumers

conserve, (3) generation capacity is distributed with lower- emission generators on a smaller and wider scale, and (4) technology is implemented to enhance the existing infrastructure.

Efficiency, conservation, distributed generation, and technology will decrease the amount of electricity people consume. These solutions in part can defuse the need for more transmission lines and power plants – which the majority of the public staunchly opposes, but which profits Dominion the most. However, since these solutions require money and typically reduce overall revenue, Dominion has no financial incentive to implement them.

While re-regulation will increase the rate consumers will pay for every kilowatt, increases in electricity bills can be offset by these improvements, which will reduce overall consumption.

This sort of philosophy, however, should not end with the state of Virginia. Since the U.S. Department of Energy seeks to run transmission lines through sections of Virginia with a special- corridor status backed with federal eminent-domain authority, Gov. Kaine and Dominion itself should immediately ask the federal government to designate the heavy energy demand centers these corridors intend to serve as “special energy conservation areas.” This sort of designation would give federal support encouraging the implementation of energy efficiency and conservation programs, distributed generation and technology, before extra high-voltage transmission lines and power plants are put in place.

MEMO: CORRESPONDENT OF THE DAY

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