 While times have never been better for renewables, "a nuclear renaissance" is picking up steam and we are heading towards a clash over our energy future. What prevails largely depends on the transmission of the electricity from its source to user.
"The Effects of Proposed Changes to the Eastern Interconnection of the Electric Power Grid on Pennsylvanians: How Smart is It?" is the topic for the January program of the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association (MAREA). The free meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, at 1 TEK Park, 9999 Hamilton Blvd., Breinigsville, 18031.
Sierra Club activist Holly Cadawallader discusses recent developments in expansion plans for the Mid-Atlantic electric grid-plans that may need to be scaled back or abandoned in light of a strong energy conservation movement and large growth in the wind industry.
Yet while transmission expansion is slowing in Maryland and West Virginia, the half-billion dollar PPL Electric Utilities project from the Berwick nuclear power plant to New Jersey has been approved in a last minute deal by the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission. A vote on the line was expected in February, but the issue was slipped into the January meeting agenda. The go ahead was granted for a high-voltage line through Monroe, Pike, Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties and on to New Jersey. Current 80-foot towers will be replaced by 190-foot towers. Opponents are planning to take the decision to court.
Commission Vice Chairman Tyrone Christy was the lone dissenting vote. Christy said Pennsylvania Act 129, mandating reductions in demand, was not taken into consideration when PPL evaluated the need for the line and noted that load forecasts have dropped since the proposal was made.
Though Pennsylvanians may be powerless to stop the nuclear expansion, we can reduce our use of coal and nuclear power through conservation and renewable energy.
After the talk, there will be a review of the renewable energy rebate program and proposed state legislation affecting renewables. Copies of the MAREA book, "Pennsylvania Homeowner's Guide to Solar Electricity," will be available for purchase.
This year, MAREA is expanding its educational programs and hands-on workshops. The group plans to increase its membership and have an active role in supporting changes favoring renewables.
The monthly speaker series will continue on the last Tuesday of each month and planning is underway for the sixth annual Pennsylvania Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival, September 17-19 at Kempton, Berks County. |
