A recent Associated Press article, “Governor to Sign Utility-Backed Measure Drawing Criticism” (published in the Post-Gazette June 22), misses important context. The bill in question, HB 1782, is a big win for Pittsburgh in achieving its robust carbon-reduction goals — and, even more important, for sparking utilities to invest in the electric grid of the future. 

Plus, in Western Pennsylvania, where most homes are heated via natural gas, this bill positions all energy utilities to structure rates in a way that can more strongly empower consumers to cut their energy use and for utilities to incorporate renewable energy, energy storage and advanced grid controls.

At Conservation Consultants Inc., a 40-year local nonprofit organization, we see every day the impact of high energy bills and poor building structures on the lower-income households we serve. We are pleased to be working with the city and fellow advocates to help Pittsburgh become a national leader in the energy grid of the future: more resilient, more efficient and less polluting.

A transformation this big needs investment, and the old model of building huge power plants and transmission systems and then paying for them by selling more and more energy over time won’t work for the efficient, distributed grid of the future. We need to use less and appropriately structure rates to support this newer model and reward conservation-minded behaviors.

CCI applauds the Legislature for taking on this important issue. Now that the rule book is changing for utilities, it will be even more important for the Public Utility Commission to fulfill its role and ensure strong protection for consumers and other ratepayers.

JEANEEN A. ZAPPA
Executive Director
Conservation Consultants Inc.
South Side

First Published: July 1, 2018, 4:00 a.m.