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New Yorkers who only skim their electric bills probably don't notice that it contains a charge for something called SBC/RPS. And why would they? The Systems Benefits Charge only averages out to $1.08 per month for most New York City residents.
But all that pocket change adds up. The Systems Benefits Charge, which was introduced 11 years ago in order to reduce electric grid strain and environmental damage, will rake in $350 million this year.
Last year, the SBC brought in only $178 million. The expansion of funds is due to an increase in the SBC portion earlier this year from .18 cents per kilowatt to .30 cents.
The SBC has financed an array of projects since its inception, including energy efficient technology for Ford Motor Co., LED traffic lights for the city of Syracuse, and an 11.5 megawatt wind farm.
The charge also helps local entrepreneurs—one couple fixed up a foreclosed ice rink in Binghamton with SBC cash, and a multitude of laundromats have received rebates on energy efficient lights and air conditioners.
So if you're a New York resident hoping to green your business, the SBC portion might be something to keep an eye on.
And Connecticut...
Connecticut has this too. Ratepayer fees on the utility bill support incentive funds (CT Clean Energy Fund and CT Energy Efficiency Fund), Renewable Portfolio Standards and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards. In 2007 CT ratepayers contributed about $90 million to clean energy and $105 million for energy efficiency. This works out to about $50 per residence for these policies. Good news for residents, in September of this year the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard was expanded to allow energy efficiency projects from the residential sector to qualify. This means that what had been a public policy burden for residents can now become a benefit.
Minnesota Too!
Minnesota has a similar program - the "Conservation Improvement Program" fee is assessed as a percentage of a person's electric bill. This funds utility rebate programs for energy efficient technology as well as certain energy efficiency initiatives implemented by nonprofits. All must be cleared through the state's Office of Energy Security.