Department of Energy Addresses Industrial Energy Consumption

On August 10, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a Request for Information (RFI) on ways to reduce industrial energy consumption. The RFI was released in compliance with Section 106 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which states that the U.S. should seek to reduce industrial energy use by 25 percent by 2017. DOE is seeking information from industry and industry associations regarding the most beneficial and efficient way to reduce industrial energy consumption in order to implement this goal. For more information, please read the Department of Energy’s news release.

House Passes Broad Energy Bill

Energy bill H.R. 3221, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in August, was received by the Senate and placed on the Senate calendar on September 4. Among other things, the bill creates a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). If passed by the Senate, the RES would require utilities to provide 15 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020- up to four percent of which must be from electricity efficiency measures. Other provisions in the bill include the establishment of a new Energy Efficiency Block Grant Program, an Office of Global Climate Change in the Department of State, and standards and programs for public building energy efficiency. To read more about the bill, or track its progress, click here.

ACEEE Reports on House Bill 3221

On August 7, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released its analysis of energy bill H.R. 3221, which was passed by the House of Representatives on August 4. In the report, ACEEE finds that the bill’s energy efficiency provisions would reduce U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by 670 million tons, or 8 percent in 2030 relative to the current Department of Energy forecast. For more detail visit ACEEE's Web site.

Secretary of Energy Announces Efficiency Initiatives

On August 8, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman announced that he will require the Department of Energy to undertake a series of internal initiatives in order to become more energy efficient. These initiatives will reduce energy consumption by at least 30 percent by requiring all facilities to develop binding plans to achieve the second-highest environmental rating from the U.S. Green Building Council on new construction and major renovation projects. For more information read the press release.  

United Nations Foundation Releases Energy Efficiency Report

In July, the United Nations Foundation released a report on “Realizing the Potential for Energy Efficiency.” The report identifies energy efficiency as an effective tool for furthering sustainable economic development in both developed and developing countries. The report also recommends that the Group of Eight (G8) countries commit to collectively doubling the global annual rate of energy efficiency improvement to 2.5 percent annually from 2012 through 2030. For more details, read the report.

ACEEE Testifies on Energy/Climate Policy

On September 25, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) Senior Economist for Technology Policy, John Laitner, testified for the U.S. House Science Subcommittee on Research and Science Education. In his testimony, Laitner stated that current economic models overestimate the implementation cost of energy and climate policies. The reason for this, according to Laitner, is because these models overlook many economic benefits of energy efficiency programs. He also recommended three steps for the subcommittee to take in order to mend this problem. These included acknowledging this problem in their findings, developing and funding a National Energy Efficiency Data Center, and increasing research funding. For more information read the testimony.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

Massachusetts

In July, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Energy Resources released their draft RGGI regulations. The regulations state that Massachusetts will auction 100 percent of the proceeds for the consumer benefit, except for a small portion of the proceeds which will be utilized for phasing out regulations 7.29. The regulations also create an Energy Efficiency Trust for collection and distribution of the auction proceeds. The departments jointly held four public hearings throughout the state on September 10-12 in order to gather comments. Written comments were accepted until September 24. For more information visit the DEP website.

Maine

In July, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection released its draft RGGI regulations, which specify how the carbon allowance auction will work. Maine has previously determined (through the passage of LD 1851) that it will auction 100 percent of carbon allowances and deposit the proceeds into an Energy Carbon Savings Trust Fund. Read the regulations for more details.

DPS Solicits Comments on Efficiency Outreach Campaign

On August 28, the Connecticut Department of Public Service (DPS) released a Notice for Comment on the development of an energy efficiency education outreach campaign. The campaign was mandated by the Electricity and Energy Efficiency Act, passed by the legislature last year, and requires DPS, with the Energy Conservation Management Board (ECMB), to develop a plan for sending targeted energy efficiency information to commercial, industrial, governmental, institutional, agricultural, and residential sectors. Once developed, the plan will then be implemented by the DPS beginning March 1, 2008. For more information, read the Notice for Comments.

ECMB Requests Comments on Demand-Side Management Technologies

On September 4, the Energy Conservation Management Board (ECMB) released a Request for Comment on enhanced demand-side management technologies that could be implemented by Connecticut Energy Efficiency Partners in order to reduce electric demand. Comments were accepted until September 20, on which date a public input meeting was also held. For more information read the Request for Comments.

Governor Signs Public Act 07-242

On August 7, Governor Jodi Rell held a ceremonial signing of the recently passed Public Act 07-242, which makes a number of substantial and beneficial changes to Connecticut's long-term energy policy. At the signing ceremony, the Governor noted that the law sets "green" building standards for new state buildings, while authorizing up to $30 million in state bonding so that the Department of Public Works can make existing state buildings and facilities more energy efficient. Read the press release for more information.

Request to Open Docket on Decoupling

On July 30, United Illuminating submitted a request to the Public Utilities Commission to initiate a general proceeding in order to investigate whether or not the state should implement decoupling. Read the request and track the docket’s progress at the DPUC Web site.

Governor Signs Incandescent Light Bulb Legislation

On August 21, Governor Jon Corzine signed Assembly Bill 3983 (Senate Bill 2631), which requires state buildings to replace their incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs). Under the law, New Jersey state agencies have three years to replace all of their bulbs. The bill also required the Board of Public Utilities to launch a public education campaign, and it did so in September. For more information, read the legislation.

Governor Signs Global Warming Response Act

On July 6, Gov. Corzine signed Assembly Bill 3301, adopting goals to reduce New Jersey’s greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation requires a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020, and a reduction of 80 percent below 2006 levels by 2050. These goals were previously set in the Governor’s Executive Order 54, which was signed in February of this year. For more information, read the Governor's press release.

ConEdison Chooses CPLN to Implement Demand Side Management Program

In July, ConsumerPowerlLine (CPLN), a national strategic energy management firm, was chosen by Consolidated Edison to implement a targeted demand side management program. The program is designed to achieve permanent demand reduction by encouraging building owners, managers and residents to install energy efficiency products. CPLN will implement product upgrades for motors, air conditioning units, chiller units, and refrigerators. For more information, please click here.

Public Service Commission Working Group Releases Initial Proposal

On August 28, the Public Service Commission's (PSC) Staff Working Group released an initial proposal on the implementation of an energy efficiency portfolio standard. The proposal states that energy efficiency should be procured by utilities in an increasing percentage each year, until reaching the 15 percent mandated by the Governor's Executive Order. The PSC received comments on this proposal until September 28. For more information, click here.