Public Statements and Commitments in Support of the Action Plan

Public Statements & Commitments

A key component of the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency is stakeholders committing to take action to advance the Recommendations in their spheres of influence. These web pages provide 97 public statements and commitments by 124 organizations as of August 2008, to advance energy efficiency. Those new in Year 2 and 3 are denoted as such with an asterisk. These stakeholders include utilities, state agencies, consumer advocates, large energy users, environmental groups, trade associations, and others. These web pages also include a list of updates accomplished in Year 2; additional organizations will provide updates in Year 3.

A complete listing of all companies and their public statements and commitments (PDF) (42 pp., 686K, About PDF) is also available.

Advantage IQ

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations
Commits to support advancement of energy efficiency through:
- Continued participation in the EPA's ENERGY STAR automated benchmarking program, accelerating delivery of consumption data for large portfolios into ENERGY STAR's rating system
- Provision of energy reporting and benchmarking tools to equip energy managers to identify efficiency opportunities and document improvement
- Provide communication tools to enable energy managers to implement efficiency strategies across a collective portfolio of over 200,000 commercial and retail properties

Alliance to Save Energy

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
The Alliance to Save Energy (Alliance) will advance the mission of the Action Plan through on-going advocacy efforts before federal, regional, state and local policymakers, including:
- Advocacy of national programs, funding, and incentives to advance energy efficiency in the power supply, industrial, buildings, and transportation sectors
- Development of a new initiative, directed at the 11-state, southeastern region, based on applicable Action Plan Recommendations
- Advocacy for stringent energy-efficiency building codes and higher minimum energy-efficiency standards for appliances and other equipment
The Alliance will use its website and other communications tools to educate broad audiences and key stakeholders about the need for, and benefits of, full implementation of the Action Plan.
The Alliance will make available its public communications staff and expertise to promote energy-saving measures to help consumers lower their home and vehicle energy bills and benefit our economy, environment, and national security.
The Alliance will provide its technical and human resources to support efforts by utilities, utility commissions, government officials, and other stakeholders seeking to implement Action Plan Recommendations.
The Alliance will provide energy-efficiency curricula for K-12 schools to help those schools, as well as colleges and universities, save energy in their own operations.

In Year Two, the Alliance to Save Energy accomplished:

The Alliance incorporated and launched a new, regional energy efficiency initiative - the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) --and established a Board of Directors, business agenda and has begun to secure participation by business, academic institutions, public interest groups and government at the federal and state level. The goal of the organization is to use energy efficiency to meet up to one-half of the anticipated growth in energy demand in the 11state, Southeast region. For more information on the membership, Board and agenda of SEEA, visit: www.seealliance.org
- The Alliance has used all of its many communications tools to advance the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency including links through its multiple websites to the Action Plan home page; articles on the initiative in its newsletters and bulletins; discussion of the plan at meetings, seminars and other public forums; and recognition of the importance of the initiative by bestowing one of its most prestigious awards, the Charles H. Percy Award for public service to NARUC as a founding leader in the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency.
- The Alliance serves as an advisory member to the Indiana Oversight Board and helped that Board to solicit and secure a third party administrator for its energy efficiency programs. The Alliance has provided speakers and worked with the regional gatherings of Action Plan stakeholders, as well as working with commissions and utilities in the states of Georgia, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina to implement elements of the Action Plan.
- The Alliance undertook four, targeted consumer education and outreach campaigns during the past year that reached hundreds of millions of Americans with energy-saving tips and advice for lowering monthly energy and gasoline bills. These included the “Power is in Your Hands - 6-Degree Challenge” that was conducted through a partnership with 29 organizations including the USEPA and USDOE; and separate partnership campaigns with EPA and DOE respectively. Most recently, the Alliance was awarded a grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation that will be used to teach consumers how to drive more efficiently and less to impact overall U.S. gasoline consumption and vehicle miles traveled.
- The Alliance continues to provide services through its award-winning Green Schools and Green Campus programs. In addition, through the Energy Hog campaign, the Alliance has developed and disseminates classroom activity guides for teachers and students.
- The Alliance worked with Senate and House Members and staff to craft a number of important energy efficiency provisions included in one or both of the pending, comprehensive energy bills that have passed each chamber and are awaiting conference (H.R. 6 and H.R. 3221). These bills deploy all four policy tools advanced by the Alliance to Save Energy to insure greater energy efficiency in the power supply, residential and commercial buildings, transportation and industrial sectors. Should the strongest energy efficiency provisions of each bill be merged into a final piece of legislation that is enacted into law, the energy savings and environmental impact would be enormous: by 2030, ACEEE estimates $850 billion in avoided energy costs and 1.53 billion metric tons of CO2 (roughly 19% of projected emissions). The Alliance also has worked to increase funding for federal energy efficiency programs.
- The Alliance continues to advocate for state adoption and enforcement of strong energy efficiency building codes through its own operations as well as through the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). In addition, the Alliance now is working to insure that dynamic building codes, which result in continuous improvement in the efficiency of buildings are considered and adopted at the national level as a model, and by states.

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) commits to supporting implementation of the plan through:
- Making available ACEEE resources free via the Web (www.aceee.org ), including:
  - ACEEE’s state scorecard on utility programs
  - ACEEE’s report on energy efficiency resource standards
  - ACEEE’s best-practice review of electricity efficiency programs
  - ACEEE’s best-practice review of natural gas efficiency
  - ACEEE’s best-practice review of low-income efficiency programs
- Making available ACEEE staff to work with utilities, utility commissions, state energy offices, and other stakeholders in processes to advance efficiency programs and related policies.
- Following up the issuance of the Plan by attending future Leadership Committee meetings, and by engaging committee members and allied organizations in taking additional steps toward improving efficiency policies and programs.

In Year Two, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy accomplished:

ACEEE is working with Duke Energy and other stakeholders on the Save-A-Watt business model, and with various other Action Plan members to develop efficiency programs and regulatory solutions that will expand efficiency investment in several states, including North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Texas, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, among others.
ACEEE issued a State Energy Efficiency Scorecard in June 2007. We are updating our 2006 report on state energy efficiency resource standards. In fall 2007 we will release the second round of our best-practice efficiency programs from around the U.S. We regularly provide information and recommendations to utility commissions, state agencies, utilities, nonprofit groups, and utility customers around the U.S.

American Electric Power

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.

American Gas Association

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
American Gas Association commits with Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to redoubled joint efforts in support of the National Action Plan’s worthy goals and Recommendations.
In addition, AGA will help implement the Action Plan Recommendations by:
- Supporting energy efficiency actions that have enabled the average residential and commercial natural gas user to reduce their natural gas consumption by almost 25 percent during the last quarter century, while maintaining the same levels of reliability, warmth and comfort.
- Supporting AGA member proposed innovative rate designs that encourage conservation and efficient use of natural gas by breaking the link between gas utility earnings and customer consumption.
- Supporting the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to ensure that low-income residential energy consumers receive low-cost home weatherization and energy saving related home repairs.
- Supporting greater use and adoption of total energy efficiency analysis. Total energy efficiency analysis, or full-cycle analysis, provides a truer more accurate assessment of energy efficiency measures, helping to ensure maximum effectiveness of such programs.
- Widely communicating energy efficiency information to residential, commercial and industrial natural gas users through AGA’s annual Winter Heating Season campaign. This nation-wide program, run during the highest natural gas demand period, is supported by AGA’s 197 member companies and strives to communicate the message of using energy wisely and methods for achieving this objective to more than 68 million American natural gas consumers.
- Actively supporting energy efficiency efforts through Congressional outreach and partnerships with a variety of coalitions dedicated to increasing adoption of energy efficient practices.

In Year Two, the American Gas Association accomplished:

AGA published An Economic Analysis of Consumer Response to Natural Gas Prices which analyzed post-2000 trends in use-per-residential customer. Sixteen AGA member companies, representing 46 rate jurisdictions in 29 states, provided data for more than 16 million customers (28 percent of the total residential customer base) from the 1980s and 1990s, through 2006. The results show that, compared to the pre-2000 declining rend in use-perresidential-customer of about 1 percent annually, the decline more that doubled to 2.2 percent annually in the 200020006 time frame, nationally and regionally. The study found that residential customers reduce their gas consumption by about 1 percent per year as they implement energy efficiency measures.
AGA has continued to discuss the advantages of direct use of natural gas with legislators, regulators and the media. AGA is participating in a NAESB effort to develop standards for quantifying energy savings and peak demand reduction from Demand Side management (DSM) and Energy Efficiency (EE) programs in the wholesale electric and retail energy markets that integrates a full energy efficiency metric.
AGA actively promotes the inclusion of full cycle energy efficiency in the development of ASHRAE building energy minimum standards to 90.1 (commercial/high rise) and 90.2 (residential). The Standard 90.1 and 90.2 Committees have been directed by ASHRAE leadership to issue new editions that would significantly reduce energy usage, presenting a new opportunity to encourage the adoption of full cycle energy metrics which would ensure that the most efficient energy sources would be utilized in new construction.
AGA advocated aggressively for Congressional approval of a record $3.2 billion Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in FY06. Despite continued advocacy and due to tightened budgetary measures, FY 07 funding was reduced to $2.2 billion. AGA continues to advocate for additional LIHEAP funding for FY07, as well as the release of a remaining $181.7 million in contingency funding and a return to previous levels for FY 08.

American Public Power Association

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
American Public Power Association (APPA), representing the nation’s more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities, commits to continue to promote energy efficiency through a variety of initiatives, including the Demonstration of Energy-Efficient Developments program that funds innovation; and TREE POWER, a tree-planting program whose participants collectively serve 20 million customers.

In Year Two, the American Public Power Association accomplished:

APPA continued to promote energy efficiency through the Demonstration of Energy-Efficient Developments program, which awarded more than $515,000 to 23 projects, and through TREE POWER, a tree-planting program that now includes 259 APPA members serving half of all public power customers. Seventy-three TREE POWER participants have received the Golden Tree Award for planting at least one tree for every customer. APPA adopted a resolution on climate change that urges Congress to “place an enhanced and immediate economy-wide focus on energy efficiency for all energy uses,” and hired a new Environmental Services Engineer whose major responsibility will be to coordinate APPA’s energy efficiency programs and commitment to new energy efficiency initiatives for the upcoming year.

Arkansas Public Service Commission

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
The Arkansas Public Service Commission highlights its current Docket No. 06-004-U, which will lead to the adoption of rules and guidelines pertaining to the cost-effective delivery of utility-sponsored conservation and energy efficiency programs in the State of Arkansas. The Arkansas Public Service Commission also highlights its intention to move towards implementation of all such cost-effective measures as expeditiously as possible, so that customers will be able to receive these benefits in a timely manner.

In Year Two, the Arkansas Public Service Commission accomplished:

The Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) completed a successful collaborative in 2006 that resulted in a completed energy efficiency rulemaking by 06/07 (Docket 06-004-R): APSC ordered and approved Quick Start energy efficiency programs filed by 4 electric and 3 gas utilities; approved statewide energy efficiency education program and weatherization program for Severely Energy-Inefficient Houses; allowed cost recovery via rate rider; approved partial decoupling for gas utilities. All Quick Start programs are to be implemented over the period from 11/07 to 12/09.
The APSC sponsored a 1 1/2 day workshop on Demand Response in May 2007. APSC included DR in EE rules and approved DR promotion and revised DR tariff for two utilities as QS programs. In Resource Planning Guidelines (Docket 06-028-R), APSC directed utilities to give comparable consideration to demand and supply resources and to assess all reasonably useful and economic supply and demand resources that may be available to a utility or its customers, and to identify and investigate resources including “energy efficiency, conservation, demand-side management, interruptible load, and price responsive demand.”
In a general rate case order (Docket 06-101-U, Order No. 10 at 124), APSC directed Entergy Arkansas, Inc. (EAI) to investigate reinstatement of its now defunct irrigation control program in the context of its ongoing Broadband Over Powerlines program. In an EAI Determination of Need case order (Docket 06-152-U) APSC noted that the electric cooperatives in Arkansas have long operated highly successful demand response programs to the benefit of customers, and further stated that it “is aware of no legal or regulatory constraints that would stand in the way of an electric utility’s aggressive pursuit of demand response resources, either through direct contract negotiation or competitive bidding procedures analogous to those it might use to purchase power or acquire an existing power plant. In light of this situation, the Commission directs the Company to take steps necessary to aggressively pursue cost-effective demand response and energy efficiency resources to meet anticipated loads.”

*Arlington County, Virginia

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
Arlington County, Virginia, government is happy to commit to the six initiatives immediately below:
- Conduct energy benchmarking for all properties above 5000 sq. ft.
- Implement all cost-effective strategies to improve energy efficiency
- Create and/or increase energy efficiency education and awareness within and outside each organization
- Pursue bulk purchasing of energy efficient products and services
- Support expanded efficiency program offerings across states and utilities
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- Explore energy efficiency programs offered by federal, state, and local agencies and sector-based associations.
Arlington County supports the development of standardized electronic utility billing data access by large customers for benchmarking purposes.

*City of Aurora, Colorado

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
The City of Aurora commits to undertake the following actions:
- Implement all cost-effective strategies to improve energy efficiency
- Create and/or increase energy efficiency education and awareness within and outside each organization
- Explore energy efficiency programs offered by federal, state, and local agencies and sector-based associations.

Austin Energy

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
The City of Austin commits to establish a task force to investigate the feasibility of a series of building code changes so that by 2015 all new single family residential homes are constructed as net zero energy homes.

In Year Two, Austin Energy accomplished:

Austin’s Zero Energy Capable Homes Task Force met from September 2006 through June 2007. The Task Force developed a plan to achieve Zero Energy Capable Homes by 2015 and also approved a package of local amendments to the 2006 IECC which will reduce electric energy consumption of the typical new home built in Austin by 19% as the first step in the plan. The Task Force Plan will be presented to City Council on 09/27/07 for approval and the 2006 IECC with local amendments has been approved by all relevant boards and commissions and is being supported by the Greater Austin Home Builders Association. It will go the Council for action on 10/11/07, to take effect 90 days after the Council action.

Bonneville Power Administration

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
Bonneville Power Administration commits to the following beginning FY 2007:
- On an average annual basis, increase our targeted delivery of 44 aMW of energy efficiency (for the 2002-06 period) to 52 aMW of energy efficiency for a total of 260 aMW for the 2005-09 period.
- BPA will continue to proactively look at industrial and commercial opportunities, where traditionally the most conservation opportunities exist for the lowest cost.
- Continue integration of demand-side and energy efficiency analysis as part of transmission infrastructure planning and implementation for non-wires solutions to projects where applicable. BPA is committed to implementation of non-wires options.
- Provide consistent annual funding to utilities, providing maximum local control through the rate based Conservation Rate Credit, and specific project funding through Conservation Acquisition Agreements.
- Through local partnerships, provide resources and support to regional energy efficiency initiatives:

In Year Two, Bonneville Power Administration accomplished:

BPA continues to complete analysis of non-wires opportunities to address transmission expansion/upgrades to be part of the transmission planning process at BPA. No projects appropriate for a non-wires solution have been identified at this time.
BPA is on track for achieving its higher 260 aMW five year-target.
For the 2007-2009 rate period, BPA is providing conservation funding through several mechanisms for its retail utilities: a rate based conservation rate credit and bi-lateral contracts for BPA retail utilities who run their own conservation programs, 3rd party administered conservation programs targeted at nitch markets and long term funding for market transformation (through the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance).

*Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has consistently demonstrated our commitment to energy efficiency, most recently in the announcement of our Market Transformation Strategy, also known as the 7 Point Energy Challenge. In support of the 7-Point Energy Challenge and the National Action Plan on Energy Efficiency, we call on our members to:
1. Continue to work towards a goal to decrease energy consumption by 30 percent across their portfolios by 2012 - as measured against an “average building” measuring a 50 on the ENERGY STAR benchmarking tool in 2007;
2. At least once a year, benchmark energy performance and water usage through EPA’s ENERGY STAR benchmarking tool and share the results with BOMA;
3. Provide education to managers, engineers, and others involved in building operations, to ensure that equipment is properly installed, commissioned, maintained and utilized;
4. Perform an energy audit and/or retro-commissioning of their building(s), and implement low-risk, low-cost and cost effective strategies to improve energy efficiency with high returns;
5. Extend equipment life by improving the operations and maintenance of building systems and ensure equipment is operating as designed;
6. Through leadership, positively impact the community and planet by helping to reduce the real estate industry’s role in global warming; and
7. Position their company and the industry as leaders and solution providers to owners and tenants seeking environmental and operational excellence.

California Memorandum of Understanding Signatories:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission, Anaheim Public Utilities, Burbank Water & Power, Gridley Municipal Utilities, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Natural Resources Defense Council, Northern California Power Agency, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, City of Palo Alto Utilities, Pasadena Water & Power, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, Southern California Gas Company, Silicon Valley Power, City of Shasta Lake Electric Utility

Endorse Action Plan Recommendations.
MOU signatories commit to active support for the development, promotion and implementation of the Action Plan, including:
- Supporting the ongoing development of the Action Plan by reviewing the working group reports and considering their Recommendations for adoption;
- Participating in the national roll-out of the Action Plan by issuing a press release on that date stating the signatory’s support for Recommendations from the Action Plan and pledging specific continuing and expanded commitments to the promotion, funding and implementation of energy efficiency in California;
- Providing resources to promote Recommendations from the Action Plan at speaking engagements and other educational opportunities, including participation in “buddy system” outreach efforts in which the signatories engage fellow political leaders, regulators, utilities and other stakeholders to inform them about the Action Plan’s best practice findings and Recommendations; and
- As appropriate for each signatory, continuing to model California’s best practices and policies identified in the Action Plan, including:
  - Designation of energy efficiency as a high priority resource option;
  - Adoption of targets for energy efficiency;
  - Pursuit of energy efficiency resources under a long-term resource planning and procurement framework;
  - Institution of a regulatory framework that encourages utility investment in energy efficiency; and
  - Sharing California’s successes with others interested in energy efficiency and learning from others’ successes in the planning and delivery of cost-effective energy efficiency programs.

In Year Two, the California Memorandum of Understanding Signatories accomplished:

Under California's Energy Action Plan, energy efficiency (EE) has already been designated as the first priority resource in the state's resource plan “loading order.” This policy directive has been institutionalized as part of the long-term resource planning and procurement processes for the investor-owned utilities (IOUs) under the jurisdiction of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). More recently, California enacted AB 2021 into law which extends these requirements to all publicly-owned utilities (POUs). As a result, the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD) board of directors officially recognized EE as first in their “loading order” of procurement options. Similarly, Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) approved a goal of reaching all cost-effective EE.
The CPUC has recently announced its intention to extend EE planning and procurement goals through 2020. Included in these plans is the requirement for the IOUs to work collaboratively with other entities to create a single statewide, long-term strategic plan for EE. Also included is the addition of three “Big, Bold EE Strategies” which seek to transform the markets for new construction and HVAC. Among the POUs, SMUD recently formed a resource planning collaborative to assist in its resource planning process.
The CPUC has adopted goals for the IOUs setting the following goals for 2004-13: 23,283 GWH; 5,000 MW; 444 million therms. As part of its 2009-11 EE planning process decision (expected to be adopted this month), the CPUC announced plans to extend EE savings goals through 2020. AB 2021 now requires POUs to adopt EE targets. SMUD announced a goal of saving 15% over 10 years -the highest percentage goal in California. PWP announced that it will seek to save 181,260 MWh and 21.7 MW over 10 years. PWP is in the process of designing new programs to meet these goals and expects to roll them out in 2008. The City of Shasta Lake has also adopted EE targets and expanded its EE program.
The leadership from California's elected officials, regulatory agencies, IOUs, POUs and environmental NGOs have all invested resources in championing EE generally and the elements of NAPEE specifically locally, nationally and internationally. Beyond this, the CPUC continues to support work on a best practices data base, which will soon be a feature of an enhanced web site that will serve as a location for sharing EE information.
For California's IOUs, the CPUC has already established a regulatory framework that provides an opportunity to recover all reasonably-incurred EE program costs. More importantly, the CPUC adopted decoupling mechanisms for the IOUs that eliminates financial disincentives for EE. Recently, the CPUC adopted a new performance-based EE risk/reward mechanism that provides direct financial penalties or rewards based on the IOUs' level of performance in achieving the CPUC's adopted goals. This mechanism makes EE a core part of the utility business.

*Cascade County, Montana

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
First, Cascade County is entering into a performance contract with Johnson Controls to fund efficiency opportunities in 13 county buildings.
Second, the county is in the process of creating a Green County Team in accordance with the National Association of Counties (NACO) Green Team recommendations, consisting of multiple county employees, who work in different key departments like the road, health, planning, maintenance, and personnel departments.
Third, by initiating county-owned renewable energy projects such as the existing 50kw wind turbine that will offset an estimated 85 percent of the electrical load at the recently completed Road and Bridge complex, that are supplemented by a solar energy system, Cascade County has started to reduce its carbon footprint and saves nonrenewable energy from fossil sources.
Fourth, supporting scientific projects like the in-planning-stage existing vanadium battery project to store energy, produced by our wind turbine at the new county shop, to maximize energy use and be more efficient with the wind-produced energy.
Using county investments in building efficiency and renewable energy the Commission intends to launch a community Energy Efficiency marketing effort:
- Using its new website, www.cascadecountywind.com, as a communication tool for energy efficiency within the community.
- Establishing an aspirational goal for carbon neutrality.
- Telecommuting various energy efficiency workshops for county employees and community groups.
- Supporting and expanding the energy efficiency outreach of county agencies such as Extension Service, Aging/Senior Services, Expo Services, and other agencies.
- Bringing energy efficiency experts to Cascade County to host training seminars on energy efficiency for managers and local company owners.
- Promoting recommissioning training for building operators community-wide.
- Assisting in implementing a “Local Hero” type award for building superintendents through a business organization such as the Chamber of Commerce.
- Organizing programs to educate the public on energy efficiency, by creating a marketing and advertising campaign with flyers.
- Organizing public tours of local energy-efficient companies, to learn from their efforts.
- Supporting the Energy Star Program to make it a standard for community buildings.
- Hosting public meetings for carpooling in rural communities to reduce the waste of gas and implement an environmental conscience in those communities.
- Promoting recycling programs to raise the awareness of efficiency management in the local area.
- Organizing a lecture series on energy efficiency for schools and inviting experts to teach energy efficiency strategies to the students.
- Supporting the Wind for Schools initiative to bring wind power to rural schools and carry workforce development and education into our schools.
- Advocating for a Fuels for Schools program in a rural school in conjunction with an effort to reduce forest fuel loads threatening two mountain communities.
Cascade County commits to these goals in order to fulfill the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency and specifically wants to create an energy efficiency policy group with members of the legislature and private sector to promote energy efficiency policies and change the current energy pricing system towards renewable energy sources. In addition, Cascade County tries to work with federal partners like the Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls to bring projects together, because federal entities are required to save 20% of their consumed energy, so they are an important tool in promoting energy efficiency.
By entering the group of private and public entities committing to the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, Cascade County tries to be a role model for other communities and their efforts for energy efficiency.

Connecticut Departments of Public Utility Control, Environmental Protection, and Office of Consumer Counsel

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
The Connecticut Departments of Public Utility Control, Environmental Protection, and the Office of Consumer Counsel commit to:
- Work with the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board (CEAB) to treat energy efficiency as a first priority resource in the annual Energy Plan submitted to the Governor.
- Work with the Energy Conservation Management Board (ECMB) to promote additional cost effective energy efficiency and conservation programs with our electric and natural gas utilities.
- Work with the Governor’s Office and the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) to meet Governor M. Jodi Rell’s directive to all state agencies to reduce electric consumption by 10% in 2006 in state buildings.
  - Work with utilities and the state business community on an energy efficiency education campaign.
  - Work with the ECMB to restore funding to the state’s Energy Efficiency Fund.

In Year Two, the Connecticut Departments of Public Utility Control, Environmental Protection, and Office of Consumer Counsel accomplished:

With the 2007 passage of the Connecticut comprehensive energy bill (PA 07-242), energy efficiency has now been codified as a first priority resource. The state has restored energy planning with key responsibilities on the electric utilities to the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board (CEAB) and the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC), and $95 million of energy efficiency dollars have been ordered restored to be deployed into Connecticut’s highly successful efficiency programs. Connecticut was recently honored as one of 3 states with the best energy efficiency programs in the country by ACEEE ($4 of benefits for $1 invested).
Gov. Rell currently has an Energy Efficiency Campaign running called “One Thing” urging all citizens to do at least one thing to conserve energy and to provide ideas for other “one things” via a dedicated website. In addition, PA 07-242 requires a revision of the state building code requiring LEED silver or better certification for state buildings renovations costing $5 million or more. There are new school construction Green building requirements as well as a requirement for OPM to file a plan with CEAB by 9/1/07, on improving the state’s use of energy in a strategic manner using all reasonable sustainable and efficient means available. CEAB will measure annually the success of the state plan and any savings will benefit ratepayers and state energy assistance programs 75/25. Also there are new ENERGY STAR efficiency standards for state purchasing of appliances and equipment as well as state fleet fuel efficiency standards and a new Fuel Oil Conservation Board must be established and have an oil conservation plan by 3/08 to ECMB.
There are other items too numerous to mention in PA 07-242 (e.g. a new Electric Efficiency Partnerships Program) and pending DPUC dockets (e.g. time of use rates) which we will include in future updates as they take shape.
Also in PA 07-242, the CT legislature established the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (“RGGI”) emission allowances auction process to be overseen by Department of Environmental Protection in consultation with DPUC, with revenues from the auction going to benefit ratepayers through energy efficiency, load management or renewable programs; ECMB and the DPUC will develop by 3/08 a $5 million taxpayer funded energy efficiency and outreach marketing campaign to include an email and cellular phone consumer alert system for peak demand days. Also, numerous other initiatives such as air conditioning rebates, a “See the Light” school fund raising event in Sept.-Oct, 2007 promoting CFLs by ECMB and the Department of Education; numerous studies required updating data on efficiency programs and potential for more; and creation of a $10 million fund from utility gross receipts tax for a natural gas utilities’ conservation program.
PA 07-242 also established an oil conservation fund, the first such program in the Northeast. The initial funding will come from gross receipts tax revenue, and a board, separate from that of the ECMB, is being established. The ECMB expects to coordinate with the oil fund; details will be provided in a future update.

*Costco Wholesale

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
Costco Wholesale commits to undertake the following actions:
- Explore energy efficiency programs offered by federal, state, and local agencies and sector-based associations.
- Conduct energy benchmarking for all properties within the US and Canada. Strong emphasis will be placed on benchmarking similar sites within our organization.
- Implement all cost-effective strategies to improve energy efficiency.
- Create and/or increase energy efficiency education and awareness within our organization.
- Work with utility company leaders to increase consistency in both data reporting and program offerings, and help prove the benefits to encourage more utility companies to offer consistent data and programs.

*City of Denver, Colorado

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
The City of Denver commits to take the following actions:
- Conduct energy benchmarking for all properties above 5000 sq. ft.
- Implement all cost-effective strategies to improve energy efficiency.
- Create and/or increase energy efficiency education and awareness within and outside each organization.
- Pursue bulk purchasing of energy efficient products and services.
- Support expanded efficiency program offerings across states and utilities.
- Support development of standardized electronic utility billing data access by large customers for benchmarking.
- Explore energy efficiency programs offered by federal, state, and local agencies and sector-based associations.

*Delaware Public Service Commission

During the era of regulated, vertically integrated electrical and gas utilities, this Commission continually sought to promote efficiency in the generation of electric supply, in order to protect consumers against unreasonable rates.
In today's world of deregulated electric supply, the Commission similarly endorses the pursuit of efficiencies in the consumption of electric supply, so as to benefit consumers.
Further, in recently creating the Sustainable Energy Utility, the General Assembly found that there remain in Delaware significant, cost-effective opportunities to acquire end-user energy efficiency savings that can lower customers' bills and reduce the environmental impacts of energy production, delivery, and use. Accordingly, the Delaware Public Service Commission acknowledges the “National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency.”
The Plan performs a needed, and valuable, task in highlighting the barriers to tapping into the benefits of such demand-side efficiencies and then suggesting a wide range of possible solutions to achieve those efficiencies.
The Commission looks to its on-going proceedings in Docket 07-20, Docket 07-28 and Reg. Docket No. 59 to determine what form of energy efficiencies might bring real benefits to Delaware energy consumers.

*Dominion Virginia Power

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
Dominion Virginia Power commits to:
- Developing several pilot programs to test the effectiveness of specific new energy conservation measures in Virginia. These pilot programs will encourage customers to reduce overall electricity consumption, especially during periods of peak demand, such as during extreme winter and summer temperatures. The pilots will include residential and commercial energy audits to help customers avoid wasting energy, an air-conditioning control program, “smart-metering” technologies, critical peak-pricing plans to help customers shift energy usage to off-peak times and distributed generation projects to increase energy supply. All programs are subject to review and approval by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC).
- Working with the SCC staff and other interested parties to develop a long-term energy conservation plan for Virginia as directed by the Virginia General Assembly in legislation adopted in 2007.
- Partnering with the U.S. EPA/DOE ENERGY STAR program to promote the purchase and use of energy-efficient appliances, energy-efficient building practices for new homes, and energy-efficient improvements for existing homes. The company will also seek opportunities and alliances to make efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs available to customers at a discount.
- Educating consumers about the benefits of energy efficiency and conservation. The company is expanding its Web site, www.dom.com , with additional energy conservation and efficiency tips.
- Accelerating the development of new fuel cell technology through an investment in the Microcell Corp. of Raleigh, N.C.
- Providing leadership support to the Electric Power Research Institute and in particular to the Dynamic Energy Management Initiative, a program that will research emerging technologies, assess methods to quantify greenhouse gas reductions, and evaluate end-use customer devices for the residential and business sectors.

Dow Chemical Company

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
Dow highlights its commitment to reduce its global energy intensity by 25 percent from 2005 to 2015.
Dow Global Energy Efficiency Team Leaders throughout the company will lead implementation by driving the development of major site and business 2015 goals, and the development of specific plans to meet the goals. Global Energy Efficiency Team members will define business and site-level goals, plans and action steps. Dow will use existing systems and processes to track energy use, calculate intensity and report energy intensity.

In Year Two, Dow Chemical Company accomplished:

Dow continues to communicate widely its Energy Intensity Goals, both internally in Dow and externally.
- Internal communication examples include: Dow intranet Energy Efficiency and Conservation Website. Through quarterly communications sessions with Energy Efficiency & Conservation Program business and site leader's network. Quarterly Energy Intensity Progress report: Site energy efficiency and conservation leaders business tech center energy efficiency and conservation leaders Dow global news cast.
- External communications examples include: Dow intranet through our work with ENERGY STAR, Dept of Energy Industrial Technology Program, and Texas Industries of the Future, through leadership roles in National Association of Manufacturers, Alliance to Save Energy, ACEEE, and many others. Testimony on Capital Hill on energy policy and national programs. Presentations and speaking engagements at energy conferences, forums and summits.
Business Energy Efficiency and Conservation Leaders, 26 individuals throughout the company, are fully functioning in this role as EE&C Program Implementation Leaders. Energy and Conservation Leaders at all major Dow Sites, representing over 90% of energy consumption, are likewise leading program implementation at the site level.

Duke Energy

Endorses Action Plan Recommendations.
Duke Energy commits to advance the mission of the Action Plan by helping to advance and deploy innovative technologies, and by educating customers, employees and other stakeholders on the value of energy efficiency programs and demand side management.
Duke Energy will work to integrate applicable Action Plan Recommendations in the five states where the company has electric utility operations. Specifically, Duke Energy will work to improve upon existing programs such as its Personalized Energy Report in Kentucky and the ENERGY STAR Program in North Carolina. Duke will also look to transfer successful efficiency programs to jurisdictions across our service territory. Through stakeholder collaboration our efforts should lead to:
- Expansion of existing or newly formed state energy efficiency collaborations to promote broader statewide stakeholder participation through Action Plan workshops or summits. Discussions are expected to result in a regulatory framework that reduces barriers for energy efficiency and creates incentives for utilities to implement cost effective customer programs.
- Establish sustainable program investment levels in energy efficiency.
- Develop, design and deliver innovative and integrated energy efficiency programs to the customer.
- Work with other regional Action Plan Leadership Group members on programs.
Duke Energy is also committed to providing continued support of the Action Plan on the National front through:
- Continued participation in the Action Plan initiative, providing subject matter experts and highlighting Duke “best practices & programs.”
- Support for energy efficiency activities promoted by the Edison Electric Institute.
- Support for national outreach programs at speaking engagements or conferences.
- Share Duke Energy’s energy efficiency experiences with other organizations.
Duke Energy is committed to actively support the mission of Action Plan to help guarantee the plan’s success.

In Year Two, Duke Energy accomplished:

Duke Energy has active energy efficiency collaboratives in all five of its retail states and meets with them regularly. The most recent additions are NC and SC which were formed in August 2006 and meet about every month. These collaboratives include stakeholders from various sectors including customers, education, environmental organizations, regulators, and state government.
One of Duke's key initiatives has been the expansion of stakeholder participation through Energy Efficiency Summits. By second quarter 2007, Duke Energy had initiated and participated in state-wide energy efficiency summits in 4 of the 5 states where we have electric utility operations. While funded by Duke Energy, these 1-day summits were cosponsored and planned collaboratively with a range of stakeholders and experts who are leaders on energy efficiency in their states and/or nationally. All of the summits were highly successful drawing more than 200 participants each, including those with the influence and ability to bring energy efficiency to the next level in their state through new or revised programs, policies, or partnerships.
- In KY, a team was formed to follow through on all of the great ideas identified in the Summit. The KY Energy Efficiency Working Group is planning a second summit in November 2008.
- In addition, Duke has transformed its Ohio energy efficiency plan which kicked off in October, 2007. Teaming up with General Electric, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club, Duke Energy Ohio customers received mailings with four coupons offering $3 off a 3-pack of GE compact fluorescent light bulbs. This promotion is part of a package of energy efficiency incentives approved by the Ohio Public Utilities Commission in July.
Jim Rogers and Duke Energy committed a significant amount of time to promoting the Action Plan objectives and energy efficiency at the national and state level. For example, Mr. Rogers testified in February, 2007 before the Senate Committee on Energy on the topic of energy efficiency, the Action Plan and ways Congress can help to deliver energy efficiency savings. Mr. Rogers has appeared on a variety of national and international television shows expressing his commitment to efficiency. Op-Eds have been authored and placed by Mr. Rogers in both local and national papers and he has given well over a dozen speeches to national audiences on the importance of energy efficiency. Mr. Rogers also reached out to a number of his utilities and as a result of his efforts eight utilities representing 20 million customers in 22 states, made a commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative to increase their investment in energy efficiency by $500 million annually given the appropriate regulatory treatment. This increased level of commitment when fully implemented in 10 years will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 30 million tons --equivalent to removing nearly 6 million cars from the road. And, Mr. Rogers worked with his colleagues in the Edison Electric Institute to encourage greater emphasis on energy efficiency and worked to ensure the formation of the Institute for Electric Efficiency which will promote the sharing of information, ideas and experiences on effective means of delivering energy efficiency.
Duke filed new rate cases in NC and SC which will collectively result in 1860 MWs of capacity over a four year period. Increased investment in efficiency programs have been approved in Ohio and further programs will be evaluated in Indiana and Kentucky.
Duke Energy has filed a new, innovative approach to energy efficiency that we believe will fundamentally change the way utilities and energy efficiency are perceived, in both NC, SC and IN. In July 2007, Duke Energy gained approval for new energy efficiency programs in Ohio and is now implementing those programs. Each of these plans call for new programs and/or the significant expansion of existing programs.

* New in Year 2 and 3.