It was a good thing that I read this article before I opened my electric bill. The rate increase is supposed to just affect New Mexico but my bill in Texas increased $40.00. A 120% jump in a utility bill doesn’t mean that I will be late with other things or not be able to pay the rent but for some in this area it will mean just that.
I received an email alert from Union of Concerned Scientists about some of the new power legislation in the process. “On Saturday, UCS and all supporters of clean energy achieved an important milestone when the U.S. House of Representatives passed an energy bill that would significantly boost the nation’s energy security and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. For the first time in history, the House passed an energy package that included a national renewable electricity standard requiring electric utilities to obtain at least 15 percent of their power from a combination of energy efficiency and renewable sources—such as the wind and sun. If passed into law, this standard would not only be a significant step forward in combating global warming, but would also create jobs and save consumers money on their electric bills.
If passed this will be a very welcome step in energy independence. Texas deregulated the energy production years ago but I’m not sure what happened in El Paso. Wind energy in southeast Texas is producing electricity for whole cities. We have two generators producing enough for about 500 or 600 homes. Practically within spitting distance of our two generators are several hundred wind generators at two different wind farms producing electricity for other Texas cities. Alternate forms of energy production will be very welcome.
