Citizen Power - Energy Advocacy and Education Services

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Citizen Power 2121 Murray Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15217 (412) 421-6072 (412) 421-6162 Fax info@citizenpower.com	Education and Advocacy *Education* Deregulation or restructuring of the electricity generation industry is promoted as a way for electricity customers to realize energy cost savings. CITIZEN POWER does not support deregulation of vital necessities like energy. 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. For this to happen, the new retail electric market has to be highly competitive. Even with vigorous competition, however, there is no guarantee that customers will make environmentally friendly choices. Therefore, our challenge is twofold: to educate consumers so that they understand why it is important to choose cleaner energy sources and use energy more efficiently; and to advocate for policies that are necessary for a competitive energy market to develop and thrive. CITIZEN POWER is uniquely positioned to provide education and advocacy services. Because it doesn't sell anything, CITIZEN POWER has the credibility necessary for consumers to trust the information it provides. 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 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. *Advocacy* Historically, the retail electric market has functioned as a regulated monopoly and utilities are taking measures to continue their monopoly status. 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 alternative energy suppliers and technologies in the new marketplace. CITIZEN POWER is the only community-based organization in the region fighting at the regional, state and federal level to open the regional electricity market. We do this by participating in proceedings at regulatory bodies and making sure that environmental and consumer interests are represented. 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. A $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. A $4 million fund designed to foster competition in western Pennsylvania with the goal of helping residential customers achieve electricity bill savings they could not secure on thier own. 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. An additional $20 million to extend and expand utility companies' conservation programs, providing usage reduction services to 15,000 low-income customers. $3.5 million in additional funding to provide bill payment assistance to low-income customers. 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. Home \| Search \| Feedback \| Links

Citizen Power
2121 Murray Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 421-6072
(412) 421-6162 Fax
info@citizenpower.com

Education and Advocacy

Education
Deregulation or restructuring of the electricity generation industry is promoted as a way for electricity customers to realize energy cost savings. CITIZEN POWER does not support deregulation of vital necessities like energy. 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. For this to happen, the new retail electric market has to be highly competitive.
Even with vigorous competition, however, there is no guarantee that customers will make environmentally friendly choices. Therefore, our challenge is twofold: to educate consumers so that they understand why it is important to choose cleaner energy sources and use energy more efficiently; and to advocate for policies that are necessary for a competitive energy market to develop and thrive.
CITIZEN POWER is uniquely positioned to provide education and advocacy services. Because it doesn't sell anything, CITIZEN POWER has the credibility necessary for consumers to trust the information it provides. 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 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.
Advocacy
Historically, the retail electric market has functioned as a regulated monopoly and utilities are taking measures to continue their monopoly status. 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 alternative energy suppliers and technologies in the new marketplace.
CITIZEN POWER is the only community-based organization in the region fighting at the regional, state and federal level to open the regional electricity market. We do this by participating in proceedings at regulatory bodies and making sure that environmental and consumer interests are represented.
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.

A $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.

A $4 million fund designed to foster competition in western Pennsylvania with the goal of helping residential customers achieve electricity bill savings they could not secure on thier own.

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.

An additional $20 million to extend and expand utility companies' conservation programs, providing usage reduction services to 15,000 low-income customers.

$3.5 million in additional funding to provide bill payment assistance to low-income customers.

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.

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