A recent survey reveals that U.S. utility leaders are caught in the middle of a “don’t do as I do, do as I say,” situation, according to E&E News Energy Wire.
While 9 of 10 U.S. utility leaders say that reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants is a high or moderate priority, just 38 percent of their companies are executing a strategy or doing anything about it.
The survey says that the large gap between concerns and actions “indicates leaders know they need to do something, but either don’t know what to do or can’t implement a strategy due to a lack of capital or regulatory support.” The report says few utilities have “the information, analysis, support, and resources” to face the climate change challenge.
While many organizations appear that they aren’t addressing the problem, the survey shows that wheels are in motion, albeit slowly, as 32 percent of executives are currently planning a strategy and 29 percent are expecting to produce a strategy within five years.
The report says that often, utilities can only progress on their own.
“Utilities are moving as fast as public policy will support. They can’t get ahead of their regulator,” says ICF senior fellow Val Jensen in the article.
Dave Lubach is managing editor, facility market.
