Massachusetts Provides Blueprint for States to Capture All Cost-effective Energy Efficiency

Massachusetts has set a high standard with its recently approved three-year energy efficiency plan. The gas and electric program administrator plans seek to achieve the following by 2012:

• A 2.4 percent reduction in electricity use as a percentage of retail sales
• A 1.15 percent reduction in natural gas use as a percent of retail sales
• Creation of 3,878 jobs

• Over $6 billion in energy savings to consumers

Key elements of this ambitious plan include:

• Unified, statewide efficiency program offerings from the electric and natural gas utilities and the Cape Light Compact;
• Leveraging of revenues, by using the state's RGGI and ISO-New England Forward Capacity Market proceeds to fund expansions of ratepayer-funded efficiency programs; and,
• A cooperative process through the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, which provides for consultation between key stakeholders groups.

New York Convenes Public Hearings on Adoption of 2009 ICC Building Codes

Between March 1 and March 4, New York's Department of State will convene four public hearings on recommendations to the adoption of the 2009 International Building Codes, including the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which would save approximately 15 percent over the current code and move New York into compliance with building energy code requirements under ARRA. Written testimony can be submitted online; all comments must be received by March 15. NEEP's Building Energy Codes Project Manager, Don Vigneau, will participate in the hearings.

NEEP Works with Maine on First Statewide Building Code

In late February, NEEP participated in the first meeting of the Technical Advisory Group to the Maine Uniform Building & Energy Code Board (UBECB). The topic: structuring the training and certification process for local building code officials, in order to implement Public Law 699-08, the state's first mandatory building code. The advisory group, which is comprised of 12 stakeholders, NEEP, and five board members, discussed a number of key issues. These included accreditation of course topics and instructors, exemptions and appeals, and knowledge testing for other statutory responsibilities beyond building energy codes. NEEP will recommend elements of its Model Progressive Building Energy Codes Policy to suit Maine's needs as it works towards the adoption of the International Energy Conservation Code and develops its building codes administrative structure and procedures, including code inspection processes.

States Gear Up to Defend Against EE Funding Grabs

The Northeast States have committed to major investments in energy efficiency through 2012. Total spending in the region is expected to be more than $2.3 billion by the end of this year. However, difficult state budget situations have threatened the long-term vision and promise of energy efficiency as a number of states have moved to reduce or borrow from ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs:

• New Hampshire will collect $3.2 million less through the system benefit charge (SBC) for electric efficiency by for 2010, transferring those funds to low-income electric assistance.
• Connecticut's Governor Jodi Rell has proposed that the state should take $31 million, or about a third of its ratepayer funds to help reduce the state's budget deficit. (See below)

• New Jersey's Governor Chris Christie has announced plans to take $158 million in carryover funds from the Clean Energy Fund to pay for deficit reduction.

For energy efficiency programs to thrive in these tough economic times, it is critical for policymakers to hear the message that strong investment in efficiency is vital to our economic recovery. Efficiency puts money back in peoples' pockets; it creates local jobs; it drives down wholesale energy costs.

Appliance Standards:

NEEP Participates in Federal Rulemakings on Key Products

In an attempt to stick with their aggressive schedule for appliance efficiency standards rulemakings, the U.S. Department of Energy kicked off 2010 with a flurry of activity. DOE not only published several rulemaking documents, but conducted public workshops to accompany them. Two rulemakings of particular energy-savings potential- residential refrigerator/freezers and residential water heaters - took their respective turns in January and February.

In DOE's preliminary analysis for refrigerator/freezers, potential standard levels were analyzed at improvements of 20-35 percent greater efficiency. The water heater process presents some promising opportunities as well. The department left open the possibility of adopting a standard level that would require next generation technologies (electric heat pump and condensing gas water heaters) for a small fraction of total units. Efficiency advocates see this as a smart way to draw these technologies into the market in a deliberate, responsible manner.

In both cases, NEEP participated in the public workshops held in Washington, D.C. and followed up by developing regionally-focused consensus comments expressing the concerns and suggestions of our sponsors and partners. Comments by David Lis, Appliance Standards Manager, included specific recommendations to the DOE in areas that we feel could be improved for the benefit of our region and the nation. Click here for a preview of 2010 Federal Appliance Standards Activity.