National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency Released

On July 31, a National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency was released by a Leadership Group of gas and electric utilities, state agencies, energy consumers, energy service providers and energy efficiency organizations. The project was facilitated by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The plan contains a number of recommendations on how the United States can improve its energy efficiency, including: recognizing energy efficiency as a high-priority energy resource; making a strong, long-term commitment to implementing cost-effective energy efficiency as a resource; and modifying policies to align utility incentives with the delivery of cost-effective energy efficiency. NEEP joined more than 60 organizations from across the country in supporting this set of actions. For more information, please access the National Action Plan and NEEP's press release.

Clinton and Mayors From Around the World Form Alliance on Climate

Former President Bill Clinton and mayors from the Large Cities Climate Leadership Group announced an initiative to combat climate change and increase energy efficiency. The initiative will pool technology and resources in order to reduce pollution that contributes to global warming. It will also promote clean-burning fuels and energy conservation. The plan calls for President Clinton to help participating cities combine their purchasing power in order to lower the price of energy-saving products and accelerate the development of technology. For more information, read the news article featured in the Washington Post on August 1. 

Vermont Senator Introduces Global Warming Legislation

Vermont Senator James Jeffords, member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (Senate Bill 3698)in July. The Act contains sweeping legislation that will set the United States on a path to decrease and eventually reverse the emission of greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Among the provisions included in the legislation are measures that require the U.S. to reduce emissions to 1990 levels between 2010 and 2020 and to a level that is 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. It also calls for the creation of energy efficiency standards similar to those enacted in California, and would require the U.S. to derive 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Co-sponsors of the bill include: Senators Frank Lautenberg (New Jersey), Robert Menendez -New Jersey), Edward M. Kennedy (Massachusetts), Patrick Leahy (Vermont), Jack Reed (Rhode Island), Chris Dodd (Connecticut), and Paul Sarbanes (Maryland). The bill can be read in full on Senator Jeffords' Web site.

Federal Rulemaking on Distribution Transformers

The Department of Energy (DOE) recently published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) for distribution transformers, through which a standard will be issued.

Advocates have pushed for a standard that captures all cost-effective energy savings. instead, The DOE proposal is weaker, leaving energy savings on the table. The DOE standard will waste 12 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity- the amount of electricity consumed by the state of Iowa. In addition to energy savings, the standard favored by advocates would save utilities and their customers over $11 billion and reduce carbon emissions by 85 million metric tons of carbon more than the proposed DOE standard.

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) have led an effort to persuade utilities to support a strong cost-effective standard. Unfortunately, utility support has been sporadic.  Nevertheless, important utilities have signed on, including Excelon Energy. NEEP is coordinating with ASAP in contacting other major utilities to raise support.

The DOE held a public hearing on the proposed standard in September; comments are due by October 18. For more information, contact Isaac Elnecave.

 

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Model Rule Released

On August 15, the eight states actively participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) approved a Model Rule, which defines the general guidelines for how RGGI will operate when it goes into effect in 2009. The Model Rule contains guidelines on allowance allocation, allowance tracking systems, and carbon dioxide emissions offset projects. There are several sections of the Model Rule, such as the allocation of the consumer benefit, which may be modified by each individual state in their own model rules. Although the Model Rule requires that states apportion at least 25 percent of their allocations to the consumer benefit or strategic energy purpose, the definition of what these benefits include remains vague, allowing each state to determine their own definition. Potential benefits may include the promotion of energy efficiency measures, direct mitigation of electricity ratepayer impacts, promotion of renewable or non-carbon-emitting energy technologies, and the stimulation or reward of investment in the development of innovative carbon emissions abatement technologies. More information on the Model Rule is available from the RGGI Web site.

 

Federal Mandated Congestion Charge Interim Decision Issued

On September 13, the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) released an interim decision on Docket 05-07-14 PH02, "DPUC Investigation of Measures to Reduce Federally Mandated Congestion Charges." In this decision, the DPUC approved a request for proposal (RFP) to procure long-term projects with the objective of reducing federally mandated congestion charges, and its associated appendices. The RFP was released on September 15. For more information, please read the interim decision, and the RFP. Also, visit the RFP Web site.

Class III Portfolio Standard Approved

On June 28, the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) released their final decision on the Class III portfolio standard (Docket 05-07-19). The decision describes procedures for the administration of the Class III portfolio standard program, which was approved through an Interim Decision in February of this year. The DPUC’s final decision resolves issues pertaining to the accreditation of savings from conservation and load management (C&LM) measures, combined heat and power (CHP) efficiency and metering requirements, environmental attribute treatment, qualification of demand response, credit creation, allocation, and integration with the New England Power Pool’s Generation Information System. To read the docket, visit the DPUC Web site.

Final 2006 Natural Gas Conservation Program Plan Released

On August 31, the Connecticut Public Utilities Commission approved a Natural Gas Conservation Program Plan jointly filed by the Yankee Gas Services Company, Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation, and the Southern Connecticut Gas Company. The plan states that the total funding for energy efficiency programs in 2006 will be $2,382,000. You can access the plan here.

Governor Rell Unveils Comprehensive Energy ‘Blueprint’

On September 18, Governor Jodi Rell unveiled an energy plan that will enhance Connecticut’s status as a model for energy technology and conservation. The plan includes an array of long-range programs aimed at strong progress on energy consumption and conservation as well as shorter-term measures for relief from high prices such as zone pricing for gasoline and the lifting of a utility tax surcharge. The plan seeks to achieve a 20 percent reduction in energy-peak consumption by 2020. It will mandate the purchase of ENERGYSTAR appliances and equipment for state agencies and create a sales tax exemption for all consumers on ENERGYSTAR air conditioners. To learn more about the plan, please read the Governor’s press release.

 

PSC Solicits Comments on Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Potential Report and Recommendations

On August 14, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) released a notice soliciting comments (Case 03-G-1671) on the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Consolidated Edison Energy Efficiency Potential Study and recommendations. NYSERDA submitted this study, along with further recommendations, on June 22 as part of the PSC’s September 27, 2004 Order on Con Edison’s three year rate plan agreement. To read the notice and comments, please visit the New York Department of Public Service Web site.

Proceeding on Decoupling

On August 28, NEEP signed on to support the National Resources Defense Council’s (NRDC) recommendations for New York on Decoupling Docket 03-E-0640 and Case 06-G-0746. The recommendations include ensuring that distribution utilities’ cost recovery is independent of total electricity or natural gas delivered, that this is accomplished through modest and regular adjustments in rates, and that distribution companies should be financially rewarded for lowering their long-term costs through an incentive mechanism that equitably shares gains with shareholders.

PSC Operating Under SBCIII Funds

As of July 1, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) began administration of the third round of the New York Energy $mart Program. The program is funded by a system benefits charge amounting to $175 million per year for five years. Details of planned activities can be found on the NYSERDA Web site.