One of the Task Force's recommendations was to hold a series of renewable energy, energy conservation and energy efficiency workshops. The first of these workshops will be held this spring. The workshop will be about renewable energy systems like solar photovoltaic or solar thermal systems for homes and small businesses.
At the workshop attendees will learn about net metering. Net metering agreements differ widely from utility to utility. Issues that vary include whether or not the resident has paid for any electricity the system produces over and above what it consumes, the disposition of the renewable energy credits the system generates, and the terms of the interconnection agreement.
An interconnection agreement is a document that the system owner and the utility sign that sets out the terms under which the system owner can connect his system to the utility's electric grid. Connecting to the grid is necessary for two reasons; 1) to allow the system to draw power from the grid when it isn't producing power (like at night if it's a solar system); and 2) to pump electricity back into the grid when the system is producing more than it consumes.
Other Task Force workshops will be held to discuss energy efficiency and energy conservation. Energy conservation reduces energy consumption by changing human behavior. Practicing energy conservation can help lower monthly energy bills by 15% or more. Energy efficiency uses technology and system design to get the most productivity from every unit of energy and to eliminate energy waste. Energy efficiency means being more comfortable, creating a more vibrant economy and living in a better environment for less money, with less energy and less pollution. One act of energy efficiency can save money, increase comfort, protect the environment, enhance the economy and promote national security.
A copy of all the Task Force recommendations can be found in the "Mesquite, Nevada: A Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation Report". The report is available on the Task Force web site. The site provides Mesquite citizens with a wealth of information about renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation.
Task Force meetings are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend. Notice of the Task Force meetings are posted on this website under Committees, on the Task Force web site and in various locations around Mesquite.
