Would you foot bill to go green?

Sep 8 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - John G. Edwards Las Vegas Review-Journal

Renewable energy is becoming all the rage these days.

But are Nevadans keen enough to contribute money to foster renewable energy development?

State regulators are studying a tariff proposal that could answer that question. The proposed tariff would allow customers of Nevada Power Co. of Las Vegas and Sierra Pacific Power Co. of Reno to pay a surcharge to support renewable energy projects that would increase the use of solar, wind and geothermal power.

The green tariff would allow the utilities to ask their customers to voluntarily pay an additional amount, possibly $5 a month, with power bills that would be dedicated to funding renewable power projects.

"We find that the public is willing to pay more for electricity if it comes from a renewable source," said Dan Geary, a spokesman for the National Environmental Trust.

Support for renewable energy has grown as the public has become more concerned about global warming, which is caused in part by carbon dioxide from sources such as coal- and natural gas-fired power plants.

While favoring the proposal, Geary questioned whether the tariff would be mostly a "public relations" measure to offset negative public opinion because of the utilities' plans to build the $3.8 billion, coal-fired Ely Energy Center.

A green tariff is "not going to make any serious impact," Geary said.

Canceling the coal-fired plant would make a big impact, he said, although he said the electric companies are committed to the Ely project.

Noting the project's $3.8 billion price, Geary said, "That ain't voluntary. Nobody is asking us what we want to do. Personally, I vote no."

Public Utilities Commissioner Rebecca Wagner, who will preside over workshops and hearings on the green tariff rules, said she wants to hear from interested groups and individuals about establishing a green tariff.

"There's a lot of different ways to do a green power tariff," Wagner said.

The Sacramento (Calif.) Municipal Utility District, Austin (Texas) Energy and Arizona Public Service have good green tariff programs, she said.

Adam Grant, a spokesman for Nevada Power, said the company had no comment on the proposal.

Nevada electric users already are paying for renewable energy as part of their regular bills because the electric companies are required to obtain increasing amounts of renewable power. Under state law, the electric utilities must obtain 20 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2015, although energy conservation measures can be counted for one-quarter of the renewable requirement.

"I'm not sure of any plans by Nevada Power to create a kilowatt more (of renewable energy) than they have to," Geary said.

Wagner said the PUC must complete regulations for new energy bills by. She said she will shift her focus to the green tariff after that deadline is met.