Sign a Good Electric Franchise Agreement
Sponsored by Citizens for Energy Awareness
For more information email Charlotte Lipson at lipson@zianet.com
What we are asking
Email the Las Cruces City Council at CityCouncil@las-cruces.org to say something like the following:
The franchise agreement with El Paso Electric should not exceed 5 years and should contain no provisions for automatic renewal. Signing should be contingent on El Paso Electric acting to remove barriers to the installation of solar facilities on public buildings.
Sending a single message to the above address will reach the mayor and all councilors.
Upon completion of this action, please send an “I did it” to unifiedaction@pva-nm.org
The Issue
The proposed franchise agreement with El Paso Electric contains many good elements. The problems are:
1. 15 years is too long an agreement in today’s rapidly changing energy environment
2. The city loses leverage with the utility when it gives up the right of periodic renewal
3. El Paso Electric has demonstrated the need for such leverage by its unwillingness to help remove barriers to solar installations on public buildings
For a good discussion of this issue, see the Sun-News Op-Ed piece on Sunday, June 21. http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-opinion/ci_12657325
