Wal-Mart Says Duke’s Solar Roof Plan Unfair

October 20, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Wal-Mart recently filed a testimony with the N.C. Utilities Commission complaining that Duke Energy Carolinas solar plan prevents customers, like Wal- Mart, from keeping the solar energy produced by their own systems, Charlotte Business Journal reports. Wal-Mart contends that Duke intends to own all the solar equipment that produces energy for the electric grid in its service area.

Wal-Mart says it has an interest both as a customer and as company interested in its own renewable energy program. The company, with 128 stores in North Carolina, says Duke’s plan for a $100 million network of solar panels would limit its opportunities.

In the testimony, Ken Baker, Wal-Mart’s senior manager on sustainable energy, says, “Duke’s proposal would completely pre-empt the field of solar generation in its service territory and extend Duke’s monopoly to include that business.”

Duke says it would pay homes or businesses for the use of the property to install solar panels. But customers would have to turn over the renewable energy credits to Duke.

Sam’s Club recently completed a 546 kilowatt solar power system at its Glendora, Calif. store. The system is expected to provide about 27 percent of the store’s electricity.

In late 2005, the company announced its goal to be ultimately supplied by 100 percent renewable energy.

Since then the company has been taking strides to green its brand, installing solar panels on its roof tops, reshaping milk cartons, and in one of its latest moves – asking suppliers to submit “green” products to help the company tell its story.

But Wal-Mart has been facing tough green questions from critics for lobbying against defining and standardizing carbon offsets for proposed cap-and-trade programs.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Survey Results: Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader