Water Efficiency Project

NCPIRG Calls For Water Conservation

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FALLS PUDDLE?—Falls Lake, which supplies drinking water to Raleigh and most of Wake County, had fallen to 8 feet below normal by the end of 2007 with predictions of a dry winter.

North Carolina is in the midst of what is likely the worst drought in recorded history. As a state, we’ve taken unprecedented steps to conserve water, but we’re still in dire circumstances. Fortunately, we can learn from the lesson and take steps to ensure that we avoid more water shortages down the road.

Over 80 percent of our water is used by businesses, industry and agriculture. Any effective water-savings program must address water usage in all sectors of the economy to have a truly lasting effect. That’s why NCPIRG is calling on legislators to enact economy-wide water efficiency measures in the 2008 legislative session.

“We can’t do a whole lot to fill our reservoirs right now, but we can ensure that they stay full during future droughts,” said NCPIRG Advocate Rob Thompson.

What Lies Ahead

Over the next 20 years North Carolina will add approximately 3 million more people to the state, further straining our water resources if we don’t take appropriate steps now.

In addition to economy-wide water efficiency measures, NCPIRG is working to implement a rate structure that rewards consumers for conserving water. The city of Cary, one of the fastest growing towns in North Carolina, implemented a tiered rate structure in 1999, which rewards those who use the least water with the lowest rates. Cary now maintains an ample water supply in spite of the drought.

“We need to make sure that the biggest industrial users of water implement efficiency and conservation measures in addition to what’s already being done by individuals,” said Thompson.

Utilities Watchdog Project

Fighting Duke’s Anti-Consumer Energy Scheme

Duke Power is proposing to charge consumers for being energy-efficient. It sounds counterintuitive, but here’s how it works: First, Duke Power would estimate how much energy customers saved as a result of Duke’s energy efficiency programs. Then, they want to charge customers for 90 percent of the unused energy.

NCPIRG believes there’s a better way to promote efficiency: Reward consumers for conservation by charging them for the energy they use.

“Energy efficiency requires good behavior on the part of consumers. Duke wants to penalize the do-gooders to pad their bottom line.” said NCPIRG Advocate Shana Becker.

Energy efficiency can save North Carolina consumers millions of dollars and reduce harmful pollution from power plants. According to recent research conducted for the North Carolina Utilities Commission, 14 percent of energy demand can be met most cost-effectively by improving energy efficiency.

To protect ratepayers, NCPIRG is working with the government agencies and consumer advocates office to ensure that policy-makers distribute efficiency savings in a fair manner.

MEMBER Action

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To Our Members

If you’ve been living in North Carolina over the past year, then most of your daily small talk has surrounded the drought. “How much water does your town have left?” ...