Alabama working to clean up power

The Anniston (Ala.) Star reported Sept. 12 that Alabama Power is working to clean up the way it generates electricity in a story spurred by recommendations in the Center for a Better South's new book on environmental policy.

"The report says the South's hunger for power is even more evident when it's broken down into home electric use, capturing 11 of the top 12 states, when ranked by electricity consumption. The power is cheap by the kilowatt hour, therefore residents don't seem concerned with conserving it, [author Eddy] Moore's report contends.

"The irony, Moore concludes, is that while Southern electric companies tout their low rates, residents in Southern states actually pay more per capita for power, simply because they use so much of it. California, which has among the highest per-kilowatt costs in the country, tallies $771 in annual per capita spending for electricity. Louisiana, on the other hand, has per capita spending of $1,235 annually. In Alabama, the amount is $1,132 per capita."

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