National Grid’s Solar Energy Phase II Plan: Not Best Option for Towns and Schools

Far too many boards of selectmen, planning and building boards are not equipped to make long term solar and wind energy decisions for their communities today. They could easily be taken in by what National Grid is proposing in its phase II solar proposal.

Saving money, reducing CO2 pollution, creating a greener community, and preparing for the future all sound good and are admiral goals. But National Grid is looking out for themselves and not its consumers.  The Obama administration plans to initiate cap and trade which increases dramatically the price of generating coal and natural gas electricity, which Obama considers the dirty fuels. National Grid generates almost 100% of its electricity today from coal in MA with the exception of some nuclear generation. National Grid will be hit hard by this cap and trade tariff- and they will be and are passing that cost along to us all. National Grid has already announced rate hikes in 2010. 

National Grid charges considerable more for those who choose green energy power today. Take a look at your bill to verify.  Some report as much as 12% more.

In National Grids Phase II plan they will be evaluating town, state and federal sites to install some 40 MW of solar panels owned by them, via a lease arrangement. You are guaranteed that National Grid will get the better part of that deal- they get a place to install their solar panels and sell it back to you as the consumer at an inflated rate as they will tell you it is green power and it cost those more to generate. They will have made the initial capital investment but it is guaranteed price hikes will be drastic year after year.

Green energy is a priority for a number municipalities and schools for a number   of reasons. National Grid estimates that its distribution costs will rise 12% in 2010. Right now National Grid charges you more to buy Green energy from them, making it a very profitable business for National Grid and NSTAR in MA, why not have the towns and schools take advantage of federal and stimulus money to own their own solar and wind turbine installations.  

Actions to be taken:

So why not take the initiative and take advantage of Green Communities Act and Commonwealth Solar to possibly get your entire projected funded and own the solar panels and or Wind turbine. It is urgent that you get started and wise to find someone with the expertise to guide you through the maze of deadlines, grants, and someone who is knowledgeable about green technologies and the best vendors and installers.