Water and Energy Discussion Paints a Cloud with Silver Linings

The second event in the Emerging Tar Heel Leaders summer series on growth in the Triangle spotlighted the challenges and opportunities for our water and energy utilities as the population grows and we recognize the need for more sustainable resource use. Approximately 35 people attended the event, generously hosted by Mez Restaurant in Durham. Panelists included Alissa Bierma, Upper Neuse Riverkeeper; Chuck Sathram, Progam Manager at the North Carolina Energy Office; Bill Holman, Director of State Policy at Duke's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions; and Mick Greeson, Principal Environmenal Specialist for Progress Energy. Short biographies of the panelists can be found here. Panelists started off by describing some of the current issues keeping them busy. For Alissa it's water quality problems and nutrient management rules for Falls Lake. For Chuck it's developing a plan to efficiently and effectively spend the energy-related federal stimulus money coming to NC. For Bill it's big picture thinking about changing the way we think about water - recognizing it is a limited resource, creating a water budget, exanding supply, reducing demand, and reforumulating the water utility business model. For Mick it's ensuring continued quality service to a growing customer base given increasing restrictions and qualifications on energy production and use. Taking questions from the moderator and audience, the panelists went on to discuss the contrasts in water and energy utility regulation, the need for integrated thinking about these utilities, challenges in dealing with increased demand and encouraging decreased use, and opportunities provided by renewable energy resources, "intelligent" utility metering, and non-traditional water sources. North Carolina was the first state in the south to pass a renewable portfolio standard, which requires that by year 2021 public electric utilities meet 12.5% of retail electricity demand through renewable energy or energy efficiency measures. Yet North Carolina is one of the few states in the eastern US that doesn't require a state permit for new large water withdrawals, which means we don't know how much of the state's water resources are currently tapped and how much water there is to accommodate growth. In essence, NC is doing some things right, but has lots of work yet to do to ensure a sustainable supply of energy and water for it's growing population in the years to come. Don't miss the final event in the series which will focus on transportation. It will be on Wednesday September 2 at the Busy Bee Cafe in Raleigh. Check back soon for more information!