Energy Efficiency Resource Standards

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An Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS) is a flexible mechanism to ensure that utilities adopt energy efficiency as a clean, cost-effective energy resource.A federal EERS would require that electricity and natural gas utilities help their customers reduce energy use by a specified and increasing amount each year, based on a percentage of total energy sales. It complements a renewable electricity standard (RES), which requires that a percentage of electricity generation be from renewable sources.EERS is a tested policy measure that has successfully reduced energy use in several states. A national EERS would lower energy costs, reduce air pollution and global warming, create jobs, and improve energy reliability throughout the nation.

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Energy Efficiency Resource Standards

Lowell UngarDirector of Policy

Alliance to Save Energy

Presentation Outline Utility and State Efficiency Programs State-level EERS programs Federal EERS—Issues

Scope and TargetsTrading and alternative complianceEM&V and Administration

Efficiency in an RES

Utility Energy Efficiency Programs Help customers save electricity or natural

gas Many kinds of programs- Consumer education

- Technical training

- Energy audits

- Appliance rebates

- Financing $3.7 billion in 2008

Why Should Ratepayers Fund Energy Efficiency?

Because it’s cheaper, quicker, and cleaner than providing more energy

Demand-Side Management (DSM) avoids 30 GW of peak load—about 100 power plants

Reported cost of about 3-4 cents per kWh

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Program Opportunities

Energy Efficiency Potential 40%

Adapted from McKinsey Analysis

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Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS)

Electric and natural gas utilities required to achieve set level of customer energy savings- Similar to a Renewable Electricity Standard

(RES) Complements other policies to spur utility

programs- Public Benefits Fund- Integrated Resource Planning- Competitive bid in wholesale markets- Utility rate reforms

State-Level EERS Spreading rapidly:- ~10 states set efficiency targets- ~5 states include efficiency in

renewable standard- ~5 states have related requirements

State-Level EERS - Examples Texas – initially 10% of peak load growth,

increased to 20% Nevada – combined EERS and RES; EE

capped at 25% of total Ohio – ramps up to 2%/year target Connecticut – 1%/year target as separate

tier in RES, plus new “all cost-effective efficiency” requirement

California – CPUC sets electric and gas targets based on potential study

Federal EERS Save American Energy Act - H.R. 889 by Rep. Markey and S. 548 by Sen.

Schumer Bingaman draft RES

Federal EERS Potential Benefits

By 2020:- 117,000 MW peak demand savings

(390 power plants)

- 260 MMT CO2 emission reductions (48 million cars)

- $168 billion net savings in utility bills

- 222,000 net jobs created(ACEEE estimates for Save American Energy Act)

Bring efficiency programs to additional states and regions.

Save American Energy Act: Scope

Applies to local distribution companies (LDCs)- Regulated even in restructured-market states

- Size threshold Counts savings from:- Utility energy efficiency programs

- Combined heat & power and recycled energy

- Distribution system savings

- Building codes and appliance standards

Save American Energy Act: Targets

Requires savings rising to 15% electricity and 10% natural gas by 2020- Estimated savings from efficiency programs,

not a sales limit

- Codes and standards may account for ~5% electric and 3% natural gas

- State EERS and policies may account for ~6% electric

Save American Energy Act: Trading and Alternatives

Utilities can buy savings from customers and third parties through bilateral contracts- In-state or in power pool with PUC approval

- EM&V rules still apply

- No credit markets Buyout: 5 cents/kWh or $5/million Btu

Save American Energy Act: Implementation

DOE sets rules States administer with DOE review- If states choose not to, DOE administers

Does not affect state EERS- Same programs can qualify for both

Save American Energy Act: EM&V

DOE sets Measurement and Verification requirements- Utility played significant role

- Additional to business-as-usual practices

- May have outside (including federal) funding

- Account for useful life of measures

- May use “deemed” savings, sampling

- Third-party verification States can apply their own rules if at least as

accurate

Renewable Electricity Standard: Bingaman Draft

Energy efficiency can meet up to one-fourth of requirement (5% savings in 2020)- Customer savings, CHP, and distribution

system, but NOT codes or standards Trading of credits Applies to Load Serving Entitites Current state EERS add up to ~6%

savings No additional efficiency

H.R. 889, the “Save American Energy Act,” introduced by Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) on February 4, 2009.

•EERS included in the Waxman-Markey in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 discussion draft.• Cosponsors include Rep. Olver (D-MA), Rep. Hirono (D-HI), and Rep. Schakowsky (D-IL). Likely others that the Markey office has not yet released.•Coalition is targeting Blue Dogs, e.g. Barrow (D-GA), Matheson (D-UT), Gordon (D-TN), Holden (D-PA), and others, e.g. Welch (D-VT), •Need for letters and visits from in-state businesses and organizations

House side EERS bill:

S. 548, the “Save American Energy Act,” introduced by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) on March 9, 2009.

• Coalition meetings last week with Bingaman’s staff cracked open the door for a stand-alone bill• No official cosponsors yet - a Republican cosponsor will be critical for gaining support throughout the E&NR committee.• Coalition still supports a stand-alone bill, but if made to compromise, would take a 10% carve-out of an RPS (currently 5%)•Need for letters and visits, particularly from in-state businesses, particularly to Republican and moderate Dems.

Senate side EERS bill:

Thank You!

Lowell Ungar

Alliance to Save Energy

Phone: (202) 857-0666

Email: LUngar@ase.org

Website: www.ase.org

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