RI bill rewards renewable energy users
RHODE ISLAND - Homeowners who use renewable energy systems such wind turbines or solar panels for power could get a financial boost under a new Rhode Island law.
Gov. Don Carcieri announced that he signed legislation permitting people to get a credit on up to 10 utility accounts or get a cash refund when their green power systems send surplus energy back into the power grid for others to use.
The General Assembly passed similar legislation last year, but state utility regulators limited the credits to only five utility accounts.
Rep. David Segal, a bill sponsor, said in a written statement that people who operate green power projects shouldn't have to give away their electricity for free under rules that benefit power companies.
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Competition in Electricity Has Been Good for Consumers and Good for the Environment
WASHINGTON - By Bernard L. Weinstein
Electricity used to be boring. Public utilities that provided power to homes and businesses were regulated monopolies and, by law, guaranteed a fixed rate-of-return on their generation, transmission, and distribution assets. Prices per kilowatt-hour were set by utility commissions after lengthy testimony from power companies, wanting higher rates, and consumer groups, wanting lower rates.
About 25 years ago, the electricity landscape started to change as economists and others argued that competition could lead to lower prices and stronger grid reliability. Opponents of competition argued that consumers weren’t knowledgeable enough about power markets to make intelligent choices…