The "National Strategy for Homeland Security" issued in July, 2002 identifies eight major initiatives including the development of a "National Infrastructure Protection Plan".
A report issued in February, 2003 "National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets" addresses electricity sector challenges. The report stresses the import of building a less vulnerable grid as a means of protecting our Nation's electric infrastructure. Department of Homeland Security "HMS" spoke to the necessity of the electricity sector to "Develop Strategies to Reduce Vulnerabilities."
Section 1817 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 "EPACT" called for the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study of the potential benefits of cogeneration and small power production, otherwise known as Distributed Generation or "DG", which applies to energy systems that produce electricity at or near the point of use such as a Net Metering System. The results of that study "The Potential Benefits of Distributed Generation and Rate-Related Issues that May Impede Their Expansion" was released in February, 2007. Specific areas of potential benefits studied included reduction in vulnerability to terrorism and improvements in infrastructure resilience.
The study clearly states, "Recent examples from nearly every area of critical infrastructure, as defined by HMS, verify that DG is a viable means for reducing vulnerability to terrorism and improving the resilience of electrical infrastructure. DG is one important tool that offers a solution for safeguarding against future losses, including those resulting from terrorist activity." Further, Congress requested an analysis of "any issue that may impede or otherwise discourage the expansion of cogeneration and small power production facilities including the requirements imposed on the facilities".
The reaction by States to EPACT 2005 have been less than spectacular as slightly more than one-half of the States have enacted renewable energy standards. States have not only overlooked the need to remove all "economic" barriers to entry for DG provided by onsite renewable energy generation but have enacted legislation that imposes economic barriers to entry. Net Metering is the most commonly used means to provide DG to consumers from onsite renewable energy generation. Regulations in nearly all States contain some form of economic impediment to DG provided by onsite renewable generation.
DG barriers to entry that erode or eliminate economic benefits are many. Among them: prohibition of third party ownership of renewable energy systems and sale of energy directly to the consumer; non-existent or sub-standard system capacity limits; additional utility fees and charges; high-cost interconnection fees; puzzling interconnection regulations; and confusing, time-consuming, permitting processes. Each of these barriers is in direct conflict with EPACT and HMS initiatives to reduce terrorism vulnerabilities of our grid.
To illustrate economic barriers, Michigan Public Act 295 imposes economic barriers to entry for onsite renewable DG by permitting utilities to charge additional fees, standby charges and interconnection fees, for an onsite renewable energy system with a capacity greater than 150 kW. PA 295 restricts energy options that would permit economic and effective implementation of renewable energy technologies at our schools. Subsequently, students are denied access to hands-on learning lessons, and all of us will be unable to experience the benefits of clean air and water that accompany renewable energy installations.
Michigan GREEN (Group for a Renewable Energy Efficient Nation) is a non-profit organization that works with educational associations nationally to raise awareness of these issues. To comply with HMS strategy initiatives that would reduce terrorism vulnerabilities of our grid, Michigan GREEN invites all Americans to join as a single voice to deliver a message to Congress to pass legislation that ensures the future of our children, our energy supplies, and our environment. Please visit our petition page (click-on) to view our strategies as we invite you to support our initiative by signing our petition. We appreciate your time in helping us determine the legacy we will leave for our children and our world. United, our voice will be heard. Your contributions and participation will only bolster our efforts to make a difference.
Contact: William Naubert - Ph (888) 473-5444 / E - greenschools@michigangreen.org
