For Utility Companies

Across the country, state Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS) policies are driving energy efficiency investments and energy cost savings to unprecedented levels, lowering utility bills, improving building comfort, and reducing strains on the utility grid. Overall, the performance of states in comparison to the targets set in EERS policies has been encouraging; most states are meeting or are on track to meet energy savings goals.

Half of all states now employ specific energy efficiency savings goals, known as Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS). An EERS requires utilities to save a certain amount of energy each year. The savings are usually expressed as a percentage of annual sales or as specific amounts set over a period of time. The first EERS passed in Texas over a decade ago and since then, utilities, regulators, and consumers across the country have embraced this type of policy to catalyze the implementation of energy efficiency programs to reduce electricity consumption.

Utility energy efficiency programs (which may also be called Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs or EE&C) have expanded fairly steadily over the years, despite a temporary period of decline during deregulation in the 1990s. One lasting effect of deregulation is that 3^rd party, non-utility organizations may administer programs. Overall, the performance of states in comparison to the targets set in EERS policies has been encouraging; most states are meeting or are on track to meet energy savings goals.

• half of the states currently have energy efficiency rebate programs or Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS)
• total funding for utility energy efficiency programs was $5.5 billion in 2010, a significant and rapid increase from the $0.9 billion low-point of 1998
• utilities spend between 2.5 - 3 cents to save a kWh of electricity, or about one-fourth to one-third the cost of generating it
• states are generally meeting or exceeding their scheduled reductions

To learn more about Pennsylvania's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program, please visit the Public Utility Commission website: Act 129
To find out how AllFacilities Energy Group can help utilities meet these goals, please visit Our Services.