(From Fayetteville Observer)

The new leader of a North Carolina association of public electric systems says a climate bill that passed the U.S. House last month is too costly.

In June, Graham Edwards became the newest chief executive officer of ElectriCities, a lobbying and training group that represents about 90 municipally owned systems, mostly in North Carolina.

Members of the Fayetteville Public Works Commission invited Edwards to a board meeting last week to welcome him. The city-owned utility is the largest member of ElectriCities. PWC board Chairman Wilson Lacy sits on ElectriCities board.

Edwards said the climate, or energy bill, that narrowly won House approval June 26 would raise costs for utilities in the long run.

"It would ultimately cost the end consumer," he said.

The Obama Administration is pushing the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The president says it would create green jobs and ease the country’s dependence on foreign oil.

Critics say the legislation would stifle growth and cost jobs, particularly in industry, transportation and energy.

Edwards said he expects the Senate to adopt a different version, but some form of the cap-and-trade provision in the House bill would survive.

President Obama and key Democrats on Capital Hill want to set caps on how much carbon dioxide could be produced. The federal government would sell allowances for greenhouse gases to utilities and industries. The cap would be reduced over time, giving those companies incentives to find alternative energy sources and invest in offsetting projects, such as tree planting and forest preservation.

Edwards said he hopes the government finds a better balance among the auto, electric and manufacturing industries to reduce greenhouse gases.

Edwards, a Southerner, already is familiar with the Fayetteville PWC and its management. He is the past president of Santee Cooper, the largest power producer in South Carolina.

PWC board member Luis Olivera welcomed Edwards.

"There are some issues we need to address," Olivera told him.

Afterward, Olivera said PWC officials have had a hard time communicating with past ElectriCities management about local concerns. He hopes that relationship changes with Edwards, he said.

PWC’s membership to ElectriCities costs about $31,000 a year.

Edwards said municipal utilities in the state will need to expand their capacities and build more transmission lines. He said renewable energy, energy-saving devices on air conditioners and a more efficient power grid should all be part of the mix in planning for the future.

"The next 10 or 15 years will really be interesting for technology," he said.