The sustainability of preference power allocations

Authors: Curt D Gervich Damian R Pitt

Publish Date: 2014/05/31

Volume: 4, Issue: 3, Pages: 218-229

PDF Link

Abstract

Preference power allocations are allowances of electricity produced at governmentowned powergenerating facilities that are designated for sale to specific users at belowmarket rates The Niagara Preference Power Program NPPP provides power to 51 municipally and/or cooperatively owned rural electric providers in the New York State In this research we use the analytical framework of the three E’s of sustainability—ecology economy and social equity—to explore how the NPPP influences municipal efforts to conserve energy integrate energy planning into community development and advance social equity among community members Our survey of municipal officials in NPPP communities and followup semistructured interviews indicate that the NPPP offers significant benefits to participating communities Benefits include low electric rates and high levels of energy literacy among municipal leaders Simultaneously preference power may complicate economic development and energy conservation initiatives Several communities involved in this study have developed techniques for overcoming these obstacles such as creative rate structures and approaches to the promotion and implementation of energy conservation efforts Consequently these select municipalities challenge deeply held assumptions about the motivations that underlie energy conservation efforts and effective communication about the value of conservation behaviors in situations with weak indirect and invisible financial incentives

Keywords: