Annual Report FY 2011 - Alliance for Affordable Energy

2011-2012 Annual Report
The Alliance for Affordable Energy advocates for fair, affordable,
environmentally responsible energy policy.
Letter from the Director
Dear friends and supporters,
What an amazing year! We made significant strides both in our policy work and our internal practices.
This last year was very dramatic for energy policy in Louisiana. Across the state we saw incredible progress
towards energy efficiency and renewable energy investments. New Orleans’ Energy Future planning meetings
were well attended by the public. The City’s council is very supportive of Energy Smart and are making strides
to ensure the program is long-term, comprehensive and well-funded. At the Public Service Commission, we
had some tough fights. The energy efficiency rules were passed, then revoked, re-instated, then delayed.
When the rules were revoked, the public was not allowed to speak before the vote in clear violation of
Louisiana’s open meetings law. This set a dangerous precedent for the future of good policy-making and the
inclusion of the public. We decided to file a lawsuit against the LPSC because protecting the rights of the
public is paramount. I prefer to work things out in a civil way but I felt very strongly that we were not treated
fairly and that our only recourse was to sue. Fortunately we did not have to go to court. The LPSC recognized
that a mistake was made and agreed to make it right.
The wizard in the Alliance office, Jessica Netto, was given a promotion from Office Manager to Director of
Operations. She has made significant improvements in our internal processes. We were able to hire a fulltime Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, Annie Williams. This is a central position in our organization
because we could not accomplish all that we do without great interns. We launched a new education program
in partnership with AVODAH member Julia Michaels. We are very proud of the STEM curriculum and bike
generator that Julia brought to us. We began strategic planning this year and we are excited about expanding
our capacity to better meet the needs of Louisiana residential and small commercial ratepayers.
The energy sector is changing considerably. There is a national push towards de-centralizing energy
production moving away from the Edison model. Department of Energy Sec. Chu recently said, “If Edison
came back and looked at an iPhone, he’d ask, what is this? However, if he looked at the power distribution,
he’d feel right at home. He’d recognize the pieces.” Our aging power grid needs an overhaul but it may not get
the chance. Affordable solar and energy efficiency programs are driving families and businesses to become
their own power producers. This is having a positive effect on our environment and our pocketbooks.
Louisiana citizens want to pay lower bills, have independence, reliable service, and clean places to hunt and
fish. We can have all of these with sound energy policy and the support of good people. The Alliance team is
so grateful for the support of our members. Thank you and we look forward to another great year.
Kind regards,
Board of Directors
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Julianna Padgett, Ph.D., LCSW, Board President, is Assistant Dean, Tulane
School of Social Work. She serves on the Boards of Community Mediation
Services and Uptown Shepherd Center and has been active in shaping the
proposed Citizen Participation Program. She has been a member since the
early days of the Alliance, served on the Alliance Advisory Committee for
15 years, and was appointed to the Board in May 2009 and has also
served as Secretary.
John Williams, AIA, NCARB, Board Treasurer, is founder and owner of Williams
Architect, a leading architectural firm in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast with a
focus on Sustainable Design, which includes historic preservation, historic
restoration, and new construction. He serves as a member of the American
Institute of Architects (AIA), the Board of Advisors for the Tulane School of
Architecture, the Governors Committee on Coastal Protection, the Board of
Longue Vue House & Gardens, the Historic Advisory Review Committee and is
Chair of the Louisiana Chapter of the USGBC Residential Committee. His board
term began in 2011.
David Dalia, J.D., Board Secretary, is a lawyer with a diverse civil practice
including individual and small business representation, intellectual property
issues, as well as settlements, trials, and appeals of LHWCA cases, contracts
and contractual disputes, engineering issues, successions, miscellaneous
civil litigation, real estate and insurance disputes, and some select personal
injury cases, many of which are relevant to litigation spawned by Hurricane
Katrina. He has been a Board member since May 2009.
Thomas Lowenburg is co-founder and the former Research Director of
the Alliance. He is owner of “Octavia Books,” a successful independent
bookstore in uptown New Orleans. He has served on the Board since
1985. He also currently serves on the boards of the Southern
Independent Booksellers Alliance and the New Orleans Gulf South
Booksellers Association.
Board of Directors
Heather Guidry, MPA, Fundraising Chair, is Assistant Director of
Cameron College. Her undergraduate degree is in landscape
architecture where she won the American Society of Landscape
Architects, “Student Award of Honor in Communications.” Ms.
Guidry became interested in the Alliance as part of the recent Junior
League non-profit training “Get On Board.” Her board term began in
2011.
Sandra Jenkins, J.D., MPA, Program Chair, is an attorney at
Scheurmann & Jones specializing in criminal, election, non-profit,
and civil law. She is also Assistant Professor, Political Science, Xavier
University. Ms. Jenkins became interested in the Alliance as part of
the recent Junior League non-profit training “Get On Board.” She is
also a member of Louisiana State Bar Association Children’s Law
Committee, the American Bar Association, H.E.L.P., Pro Bono
services for homeless population in New Orleans. Her board term
began in 2011.
Monica Ramsey is owner of Canal Street Bistro (formerly EcoCafe)
and Canal Street Inn B & B. She had the first Life City “green”
business in NO and is a winner of a Green Nattie award.
T. Seung Hong is Director of the Department of Human Services for New
Orleans and former chief of staff for Councilwoman Shelley Midura. He
has also served as Senior Staff Director at Transition New Orleans and
was Communications Director at Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana.
Staff
Casey DeMoss Roberts - Executive Director. Ms. DeMoss Roberts brings
fifteen years of experience in non-profit management. From her work in the
United States Peace Corps to the Gulf Restoration Network, she has spent her
career working to solve human health, economic, and other problems related
to poor environmental management. Ms. DeMoss Roberts brings with her an
impressive list of contacts from her work as a progressive energy policy
leader both locally and nationally. She is a highly sought after speaker
following the successful talk at the TEDxOilSpill conference. She earned her
Master’s in Public Health, focus in Biostatistics from Tulane University. A
Louisiana native, Ms. Roberts is dedicated to the principles of fair,
affordable, environmentally responsible, community-based energy for all
Louisiana residents.
Forest Bradley-Wright is currently the Utility Policy Director for the Alliance for
Affordable Energy, which is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. In this
position, he is responsible for their efforts to expand investment in energy
efficiency and renewable energy through Integrated Resource Planning efforts at
the city and state level, while working to pass a renewable portfolio standard,
protect net metering rules, and intervene on behalf of consumers in municipal
and statewide rate-making cases.
Forest created New Orleans' monthly Solar Roundtable and Rater Roundtable
industry meetings and sits on the boards the Gulf States Renewable Energy
Industry Association and the Louisiana Green Corps workforce training program.
He was a leading force in the creation of Energy Smart, an $11 million city-wide
energy efficiency program in New Orleans and spearheads the ongoing effort for
approval of similar programs statewide through the Louisiana Public Service
Commission. Forest is a graduate of Tulane University, where he studied
sustainable development and tourism.
Jessica Netto - Director of Operations. Ms. Netto brings 10 years of non-profit
experience in fundraising and program administration. From her work as
Development Director for Gulf Restoration Network, Program Administrator for
Second Harvest Food Bank, and most recently as an independent fundraising
consultant, Jessica is committed to the development of sustainable organizations
by ensuring the integrity of programming and establishing and implementing long
term fundraising goals. Jessica is a native of the area and a life-long resident of
New Orleans. She earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of
New Orleans.
Staff
Julia Michaels - Education Director. Julia Michaels recently joined the Alliance as
Education Director after graduating from Wesleyan University with her BA in
Biology and Environmental Studies. She grew up in Oakland, California, where she
was introduced to environmental justice issues at an early age. In Oakland, Julia
taught environmental education at the Chabot Space and Science Center, helped
build backyard gardens with City Slicker Farms, and advocated for equitable green
jobs at Green For All. She loves spending time outdoors, and spent several
months living in Alaska studying salmon fisheries with the Fish and Wildlife
Service. Julia is interested in energy policy, wetland mitigation policy, and
environmental education.
Annie Williams - Volunteer/Intern Coordinator. Annie Williams hails from
Cincinnati, Ohio. Her mother is originally from New Orleans, giving her long
established roots in the city. After volunteering post-Katrina, she decided to move
back to the city to live full time. She is an aunt to two little girls and three boys.
Annie is a Masters Candidate in Public Administration at the University of New
Orleans, expected to graduate in December of 2013. She is a member of the Public
Administration Student and Alumni Association as well as the American Society for
Public Administration. She first came to the Alliance for Affordable Energy as the
Office Outreach Intern, but now works as the Volunteer/Intern Coordinator.
About the Alliance
Founded in 1985, the Alliance for Affordable Energy
promotes fair affordable, environmentally-responsible,
energy policy. From the start we have advanced a
philosophy that there is no conflict between lower
energy costs and lower pollution, between good jobs &
regulation, or between serving the public interest and
making a reasonable profit. Because we are both a
consumer watchdog and environmental advocacy
organization, our policy work meets at the crossroads
of social justice, sustainable economic development,
and environmental protection.
Through our Consumer Protection & Education,
Energy Efficiency, and Renewable Energy Programs
the Alliance is focused on creating a clean energy
future by working to inform and transform the system
at the most fundamental levels.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency programs are a win-win
because they help families and businesses
lower their energy bills while at the same time
reducing harmful pollution for everyone. The
Alliance is very proud to have worked on energy
efficiency issues for the past 28 years.
Energy Smart: New Orleans’ Energy Efficiency Program
Energy Smart, an $11 million energy efficiency rebate program, is a homerun for the New Orleans City Council.
The Alliance worked for many years to make this program a reality. Implementation began in spring 2011 and will
run through spring 2014. We are monitoring the implementation of the program and continue to offer guidance
to the City Council on program adjustments to increase the reach of energy efficiency improvements. The next
step is to make Energy Smart a permanent and comprehensive program by incorporating Energy Smart into the
city’s Integrated Resource Plan and then building in funding for the program through the next rate case in 2014.
Statewide Energy Efficiency Programs
The Alliance has been working diligently to bring Energy Smart-like programs to the rest of Louisiana. The first step
in the process is to pass the Energy Efficiency Phase I docket at the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Phase I
will give the utilities enough direction to create and implement energy efficiency programs over the first two
years. The Alliance will be working with the Commission to begin Energy Efficiency Phase II, which will provide the
structure for long term, comprehensive programs for all rate classes, including low/fixed income bill payers.
Integrated Resource Planning – the Key to Long-term Energy Efficiency
Integrated Resource Plan policy directs utility companies to put energy efficiency on equal footing with typical
forms of energy production, like coal plants, when allocating resources to meet energy needs. The IRP will
increase transparency and enable regulators to shift towards cleaner ways of generating energy. Done well, these
plans guide the way to lower waste and utility bills for Louisiana families and businesses. The Alliance succeeded in
getting good integrated resource plan rules passed in New Orleans and the State, now we are making sure these
plans work for rate-payers. The Alliance is an intervener on the IRP docket in New Orleans and is actively
participating in the development of the plan. We are making sure that energy efficiency is sufficiently integrated
into the plan. At the state level, utilities will begin the IRP process in fall, 2013 and the Alliance will be at the table
representing bill-payers.
Valuing Energy Efficiency
Act 504 passed by the Louisiana Legislature requires appraisers to include energy efficiency in the appraised value
of a building. Unfortunately the law did not specify how. The Alliance has been working with the New Orleans
Metropolitan Association of Realtors and Energy Raters to create guidance to appraisers. In the short term, we
are recommending that appraisers look at the past two years of energy bills as a guide as well as conducting a
professional energy rating on the building. In the long term, we are looking to “green” the multiple listing service
to include energy efficiency features to allow appraisers to determine comparable energy efficiency properties.
Clean Energy
Coastal Louisiana is the area most at risk from the climate
changes caused by global warming. Among the challenges
our area will face are stronger storms and rising sea levels.
To preserve our culture and economy, the Alliance for
Affordable Energy is working to develop policy solutions that
will decrease global warming pollution. Through coalitions,
we successfully fought off a dirty coal plant that would have
cost ratepayers $1.7 billion and released millions of tons of
pollution. By demanding clean energy, we can prevent the
worst impacts of global warming and secure our future.
Renewable Portfolio Standard
The Alliance is working to ensure that Louisiana families benefit from clean sources of energy. No one wants to live next
to a dirty power plant. A renewable portfolio standard is the way to bolster local investment in clean energy production
and give Louisiana citizens cleaner energy choices. The Alliance succeeded at the LPSC with the approval of the Renewable
Energy Pilot Program in 2010. This program directed Louisiana’s utility companies to pursue 350 megawatts of new
renewable energy generation by 2014 (2% of the total supply for our state). The pilot is intended as part of an ongoing
effort to require utilities to generate an increasing percentage of their energy from renewable resources through a policy
known as a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The Alliance has been monitoring the implementation of this policy and
will continue to keep an eye on its success through the end of February next year. Once the Pilot is complete, the Alliance
will be working with the Commission to institute a final Renewable Portfolio Standard for Louisiana that will guarantee
investment in local, clean energy production.
Distributed Generation – A Paradigm Shift
Thomas Edison is the father of our current energy production systems: monopoly energy companies with large centralized
power plants owning lines that connect to every home and business in their jurisdiction. At the turn of the last century
energy was produced by burning coal and it was a very dirty process. These plants had to be located away from
population centers. In the 21st century, we have better choices. The Alliance is working to open up the market and “decentralize” power production. This policy is called “distributed generation”. In Louisiana, a homeowner can become their
own power plant by investing in rooftop solar panels or windmills for 80% off the cost. Louisiana will give a 50% tax credit,
which can be combined with a 30% federal credit for a renewable energy system.
The utilities do not like distributed generation; they want consumers to purchase energy, not make it themselves. Net
metering is the law that allows customers to tie their renewable energy system to the grid and the utilities are attacking
this law. The Alliance is working tirelessly to protect our net-metering laws and ensure that Louisiana citizens continue to
have the right to invest in energy independence, lower their bills, and decrease their carbon footprint.
Solar Energy
The Alliance hosts monthly Solar Roundtable to provide a vital cooperative forum for solar companies and advocates
addressing the most pressing industry challenges. Capitalizing on growing cohesion among solar companies and in
response to an array of policy issues and opportunities, members of the Solar Roundtable have formed a new 501(c)6
organization called the Gulf States Renewable Energy Industry Association. To support our ongoing work with the solar
community, in 2010 the Alliance launched a sponsorship program for the Solar Roundtable.
Consumer Protection
and Education
The Alliance monitors regulatory proceedings at both of Louisiana’s utility regulatory bodies: the New Orleans
City Council and the Louisiana Public Service Commission. We are the only organization holding electric and
gas utilities, and their regulators accountable. We ensure that unfair costs are not passed along to ratepayers
on their energy bills. In April 2012, we won a case against Entergy that will save ratepayers from having to
foot a $72 million bill for a failed nuclear power study.
Ratepayer’s Bill of Rights
The Alliance for Affordable Energy and Citizens for Change worked with the New Orleans City Council and
Entergy New Orleans to develop a Ratepayer’s Bill of Rights. Now part of the city code, the law states “If you
feel that the Utility has violated your rights or is in violation of its Customer Service Regulations, you have the
right to participate in the Customer Complaint and Dispute Resolution Process.” The Alliance helps consumers
with bill errors navigate the process.
Managing Utility Profits
The law allows investor owned utilities to earn a profit, called Rate of Return. The utilities in Louisiana are
earning about 11% guaranteed profit. Since the economic downturn, the rate of return has stayed the same.
Though banks are earning 3.5-4.5% off 30 year mortgages these days, it is not fair that utilities remain
unaffected by the national economy. The Alliance will be intervening in upcoming Utility rate cases to dispute
the profit margin currently allowed.
Consumer Education
Knowledge is power. We aim to educate consumers on their rights and the true cost of energy. We use our
Facebook page and twitter account to communicate with our members on a regular basis. The Alliance blog is
updated at least weekly and we publish a bi-weekly e-newsletter, called Energy Matters, which highlights
current and local information on energy that goes to our entire listserv. Our Executive Director hosts a local
radio news program on WTUL New Orleans 91.5FM called News and Views the first Wednesday of each
month. We submit letters to the editor on a frequent basis. We table at popular festivals, including the Freret
Street Market, Earth Day Festival, and Hornets game. We are proud of our new community outreach and
youth education programs. We have a curriculum for elementary school age children and a bike generator
that literally forces you to work harder to light a traditional incandescent bulb.
2012-2013 Income and
Expenses
Foundations &
Major Donors
The Alliance for Affordable Energy is thankful for the following foundations and
individuals for their generous support in our efforts to advocate for fair,
affordable, environmentally responsible, community-based energy.
Foundations and Grantors:
City of New Orleans Solar Cities
Energy Foundation
Lowenburg Family Foundation
Merck Family Fund
Americorps Vista
Tulane University Center for Public Service
Individuals
($250 or more)
Barry and Gail Kohl
Beau Dingler
David Dalia
Donald Sylvester
Gayle Gagliano
Heather Guidry
Jacquelyn Dadakis
John Williams
Jonathan Wallick
Julianna Padgett
Karen Wimpelberg
Lea Young
Maria Wickstrom
Mark Gonzalez
Pres Kabacoff & Sallie Ann Glassman
Stuart Phillips
Thomas Milliner & Susan Peppard
Tina Freeman
Tom and Judith Lowenburg
Walter Thompson
Corporate Donors
Arts by Sheleen Jones
Audubon Acupuncture & Herbs
EcoPro
Island of Salvation Botanica
Neal Auction House
New Orleans Dance Academy, Inc.
Source
Your investment in our work has a real impact on our energy future!
Corporate Sponsorship
Thank you to our corporate sponsors for partnering with us to be able to conduct
community education campaigns on energy issues, help citizens and businesses become
more energy efficient, and promote sustainable energy policy solutions.
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$250: Baseload Members
Members will receive the Alliance for Affordable Energy’s Newsletter.
Members will be listed as corporate Members at our Energy Rater & Solar Round Table Events.
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$500: Generator Members
Members will receive the Alliance for Affordable Energy’s Newsletter.
Members will be listed as corporate Members at our Energy Rater & Solar Round Table Events.
Members will be listed as corporate Members at our tabling events.
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$1,000: Energy Star Members
Members will receive the Alliance for Affordable Energy’s Newsletter.
Members will be listed as corporate Members at our Energy Rater & Solar Round Table Events.
Members will be listed as corporate Members at our tabling events.
Members will be listed as corporate Members at our house parties for major donors.
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$5,000: MegaWatt Members
Members will receive the Alliance for Affordable Energy’s Newsletter.
Members will be listed as corporate Members at our Energy Rater & Solar Round Table Events.
Members will be listed as corporate Members at our tabling events.
Members will be listed as corporate Members at our house parties for major donors.
Members will be listed as corporate Members on the newsletter(s).
Members will be listed as corporate Members on the Alliance for Affordable Energy’s Website.
Members will be listed as corporate Members in the Alliance for Affordable Energy’s annual report.
Members will receive 2 VIP invitations to the Alliance for Affordable Energy’s house parties as guests of honor.
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$10,000: Transformer Members
Members will receive the Alliance for Affordable Energy’s Newsletter.
Members will be listed as corporate Members at our Energy Rater & Solar Round Table Events.
Members will be listed as corporate Members at our tabling events.
Members will be listed as corporate Members at our house parties for major donors.
Members will be listed as corporate Members on the newsletter(s).
Members will be listed as corporate Members on the Alliance for Affordable Energy’s Website.
Members will be listed as corporate Members in the Alliance for Affordable Energy’s annual report.
Members will receive 4 VIP invitations to the Alliance for Affordable Energy’s house parties as guests of honor.
*All membership benefits will apply only for the fiscal year the donation is given. The Alliance for Affordable Energy’s
fiscal year runs from July to June.
To become a corporate sponsor, please contact us at [email protected]
or 504-208-9761
SOLUTIONS EXIST
2372 St. Claude Ave, #300A
New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 208-9761
www.all4energy.org
Blog: www.all4energy.wordpress.com
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Twitter: @All4Energy