Dive Brief:
- Energy efficiency proposals from Massachusetts' utilities will save customers $8 billion over the next three years, and will build on the more than $12 billion in savings generated since 2008 when the MassSave programs were begun, Smart Grid News reports.
- The state's utilities have proposed the most ambitious efficiency programs in the country, according to a new report from Acadia Center, targeting annual reductions of 2.93% of electric retail sales and 1.24% of natural gas retail sales.
- The American Council for an Energy-Efficiency Economy ranks Massachusetts number one in the country for efficiency, and Acadia points out that the utilities' plans for annual electric savings goals increased 17%, while also showing cost reductions of 13%, between draft and final plans.
Dive Insight:
Massachusetts regulators are considering whether to approve a slate of energy efficiency proposals from the state's utilities, a part of the MassSave energy program. Advocates are urging the Department of Public Utilities commission to back the proposals, which they say are the most ambitious in the country.
“Massachusetts’ energy efficiency programs are delivering on their promise to create large energy savings for consumers, and move the Commonwealth toward a clean, affordable and secure energy future,” Acadia Center President Daniel Sosland said in a statement. “Efficiency is the best near-term energy strategy for reducing Massachusetts’ residents’ energy bills. Investing in energy efficiency produces immediate bill savings that persist for years to come.”
Energy savings from the plans would achieve the equivalent of removing over 410,000 cars from the road, according to Acadia's report.
The three-year plan was developed by collaboration between utilities and a group of stakeholders including Acadia, the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, the Department of Energy Resources, and the state's Attorney General’s office. "By making successful use of the EEAC as a stakeholder council, the proposed plan improved markedly since the original draft in April," Acadia noted.
Annual electric savings goals increased 17%, while the cost per unit of savings decreased 13%; and annual gas savings goals increased 15% while the cost per unit of savings decreased 6%, compared to a draft in April.
“Energy efficiency is a resource just like energy from Brayton Point, Pilgrim Nuclear, or other centralized power plants” said Acadia Center Senior Attorney, and EEAC representative, Amy Boyd. “But energy efficiency is much cheaper, cleaner, and lower risk. Approving this plan would be the best way to help customers save money.”