CONNECTICUT:
A proceeding is currently open before the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) regarding Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating's Joint 2004 Conservation and Load Management Plan. A draft decision on the proposed plan is scheduled for 12/30/03 and a final decision is due 1/07/04. For details on the filed plan and comments, click here to access these materials on the DPUC's Web site.
MAINE:
Gov. John E. Baldacci signed an Executive Order so that Maine state government incorporates the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building standards in all new and renovated state buildings. Gov. Baldacci stated that "[he is] committed to making Maine a leader in energy efficiency and sustainable environmental practices." According to Beth Nagusky, Maine's Director of Energy Independence and Security, "By signing this Executive Order today, Maine has become an early State adopter of the LEED building standards. To date, Maine is only the second state to require incorporation of LEED building standards for all new and renovated state buildings, including State-supported institutions of higher learning."
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
The New Hampshire electric utilities have submitted their Quarterly Energy Efficiency Report (November 2003) which shows results of their CORE Energy Efficiency programs through September of 2003. The report is available on the Public Utility Commission's Web site (under Electric Issues). A proceeding is currently open before the New Hampshire PUC regarding the utilities' joint 2004 energy efficiency plan (Docket No. DE 03-169, 2004 CORE New Hampshire Energy Efficiency Programs). A Settlement Agreement in that docket was circulated to the parties and staff on 12/2/03, and an updated copy was presented at a hearing on 12/5/03.
NEW YORK:
New York currently has State Purchasing Standards being developed for energy efficient products. Group 1 products include fluorescent lamp ballasts, central air conditioners and heat pumps (residential and commercial), packaged terminal air conditioners and heat pumps, and room air conditioners. The proposed regulations should be finalized and become effective in mid-January 2004, such that any Group 1 products that are purchased by state agencies and authorities must comply with these NYSERDA established standards. Group 2 products (electric motors, water heaters, refrigerators-freezers, lamps, and luminaries) and Group 3 products (chillers, boilers, furnaces, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, and possibly office equipment, consumer electronics, exit signs, and traffic lights) will be proposed for regulations and hopefully adopted later in 2004.
VERMONT:
The Department of Public Service (DPS) has just released a final draft of the state's energy plan. The 2004 Vermont Comprehensive Energy and Electric Plan is available here. Public meetings are taking place the week of January 5-9, 2004.
On November 21, 2003, the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) issued an order in Docket No. 6874 regarding its Investigation into the Energy Efficiency Charge for 2004. The mill/kWh charges vary by customer class, and total funding for Vermont's Energy Efficiency Utility (Efficiency Vermont) for 2004 is set at $16.2 million. For details, see the PSB Order by clicking here.
Efficiency Vermont filed its 2004 Annual Plan on October 31, 2003, and is available online.