By Tom Perkins, Energy News Network
As California officials consider a public takeover of PG&E, the concept has already shown results in other places.
OPPD’s [Eric] Williams said he agrees that the public model is “not a panacea,” and said OPPD is contending with legacy costs and long-term investments. But the public model is better suited to respond to the public’s growing demand for clean energy, he added, in part because there aren’t layers between the policymakers and customers, as there are with investor-owned utilities, state governments, and utility commissions.
“At OPPD, board members are directed by customer-owners to meet the needs as we’re setting policy,” he said. “Quite frankly, if the customer-owners don’t feel the board is doing what’s best, then there’s a direct mechanism for them to respond — the next election.” Read the entire article here.
Also Published by Energy News Network
- Nebraska utility bets on technological advances to meet carbon-cutting goals
- With new board members, Omaha utility making moves toward low-carbon future
Nebraska Also In The News Here
Hormel Wraps up Solar Project at California Meat Production Facility, Twin Cities Business Magazine
In April, Hormel announced a purchase power agreement with Kinect Energy Group for an upcoming wind farm in Nebraska. Once that project is completed, Hormel’s nationwide operations will be powered by 50 percent renewable energy, according to the company.
Previously Posted
- Hormel Foods to buy power from 74-MW wind farm in Nebraska, Renewables Now
Minnesota-based Hormel Foods Corporation has signed a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) tied to a 74-MW wind farm that will be built in Nebraska. - Virtual Power Purchase Agreement: Introduction to the Virtual Power Purchase Agreement, Rocky Mountain Institute
Photo Credit: Oran Viriyincy / Flickr / Creative Commons