Federal Climate Legislation, Energy Monitors Promoted at Solar Meeting

Experts at the American Solar Energy Society meeting in Phoenix said federal climate legislation could have a big impact on energy development, according to the Arizona Republic. Brad Albert, general manager for resource planning at Arizona Public Service, said that a federal climate change policy would encourage the company to invest in renewable power. Albert was quoted as saying: "Having a climate-change policy would do a great deal for anchoring our renewable-energy policy."

Cathy Zoi, assistant Energy secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy, said the Obama administration still hoped Congress would pass legislation that would regulate CO2 emissions from power plants. She was quoted as saying: "We still are very interested in getting a comprehensive cap on carbon. Energy prices don't now include the pollution."

Speakers at the meeting said devices that showed consumers how much energy they were using and what it cost would help conservation efforts. Zoi was quoted as saying: "We need some type of speedometer on energy. Imagine going to the grocer and buying food, but not knowing what it costs. Now you only know at the end of the month what you have used" in energy.