Education and Advocacy

Education

CITIZEN POWER has been deeply involved in the restructuring, or deregulation of the electricity generation industry. CITIZEN POWER does not support deregulation of vital service. However, we are working to make deregulation as consumer and environmentally friendly as possible. We hope customers will learn to use energy more efficiently, and help build the market for renewable energy. 

Even if there are alternative suppliers in the marketplace, there is no guarantee that customers will make environmentally friendly choices. Therefore, our challenge is twofold: one, to educate consumers so that they understand why it is important to choose cleaner energy sources and use energy more efficiently; and two, to advocate for policies that increase the use of renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies.

CITIZEN POWER believes that making renewable energy and energy-efficiency a significant part of the energy mix in this region, and in the country, will require a certain level of public understanding of how our energy choices impact our daily lives. It is our expectation that this understanding will encourage customers to use less energy and demand cleaner generation sources.

Public education on a subject as complex and unfamiliar as energy will necessarily be a slow and incremental process. But the opportunity is ripe because, for the first time, as consumers are making decisions about their energy supply, "green" technologies are becoming more readily available, and at reasonably competitive prices.

CITIZEN POWER is uniquely positioned to provide education and advocacy services. One, because we don't sell anything, Second, because CITIZEN POWER has established the credibility necessary for consumers to trust the information it provides. However, CITIZEN POWER recognizes that it does not have the resources to educate the masses on energy issues. We do believe, however, based on our experience of the last few years, that we can impact enough customer decisions to lay the foundation for the new green energy market. That is why we devote a considerable amount of time educating reporters and editors about the complex issues associated with energy production and usage. In addition, we are available to answer questions and conduct public information sessions about energy issues.

Call us today and arrange to have one of our Energy Education Specialists speak to your organization. Call: 412-421-7029.

Teacher Training Project

CITIZEN POWER also offers teacher training on energy. Our advocacy experience has taught us that there is a need to ensure that future decision makers understand how our energy use affects our health and environment. We want future leaders to recognize the critical importance of increasing the use of renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies. Accordingly, we conduct workshops for 6th-12th grade teachers in western Pennsylvania responsible for teaching energy related curriculum. The workshops are free and are designed to give teachers hands-on experience with these technologies.

For more information about the teacher training workshops, click here.

Advocacy

Historically, the retail electric market has functioned as a regulated monopoly and utilities are taking measures to continue their monopoly status in a deregulated paradigm. Mergers, acquisitions, and a variety of affiliate and subsidiary creations are taking place at a record pace in the industry. Unfortunately, there is a lack of enforcement of anti-competitive protections at the state and federal level that is unlikely to change any time soon. Therefore, it is a formidable task to force open the door to green energy suppliers and technologies in the restructured industry.

CITIZEN POWER is the only community-based organization in the region fighting at the regional, state and federal level to slow the increased concentration in the electricity industry. 

For those interested in reading CITIZEN POWER filings at various regulatory proceedings, click here

Our advocacy work has had some notable achievements, including:

• saving Penelec and MetEd customers hundreds of millions of dollars by winning Commonwealth Court reversal of PUC approved rate increase.

• creating the $12 million West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund that provides low interest loans for investments in renewable energy and energy-efficiency technology projects and businesses.
• creating a $4 million fund designed to promote the increased use of renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies in western Pennsylvania.
• creating a Renewable Energy Pilot Program fund ($671 thousand) that will provide state of the art solar roof panels to West Penn Power low-income customers at no cost.
• securing an additional $20 million to extend and expand utility companies' conservation programs, providing usage reduction services to 15,000 low-income customers.
• securing $3.5 million in additional funding to provide bill payment assistance to low-income customers.
• establishing a $6 million Duquesne Light Company Sustainable Development Fund for renewable energy products that meet Tier 1 requirements of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act and/or to fund energy-efficiency and energy educaton projects.