Efficiency & Demand Response
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6 US regions leading the way on electric buses
A new report found that electric buses can be successful in a diverse mix of cities, even those with cold winters such as Chicago and Cambridge, MA.
By Jason Plautz • Oct. 11, 2019 -
DOE must implement 4 long-delayed efficiency standards, 9th Circuit Rules
The rules, initiated under the Obama Administration but delayed by President Trump's Energy Department, could save U.S. households and businesses at least $8 billion over 30 years, advocates say.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2019 -
Mayors announce Global Green New Deal at C40 Summit
A coalition of 94 mayors showed support of the deal, intended to encourage emissions reduction in the transportation, buildings, industry and waste sectors.
By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 10, 2019 -
Boston to require carbon-neutral design for new city buildings
The city's updated Climate Action Plan calls for decarbonizing large buildings, which could cut citywide emissions nearly 40% by 2050.
By Jason Plautz • Oct. 09, 2019 -
Minnesota shuts down oil, manufacturing groups' attempt to derail Xcel EV pilot
Five industrial groups asked the state to reconsider approval of Xcel's $25 million electric vehicle program. Clean energy and EV stakeholders say oil-backed opposition is expected to increase as EVs rise in the market.
By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 09, 2019 -
Deep DiveAs CCAs take over utility customers, local renewable generation emerges as the next big growth driver
The demand for customer choice has the potential to quicken the power system's transition toward cheaper, cleaner electricity, and is moving beyond California.
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 08, 2019 -
OpinionThese trends are defining the future of energy efficiency: Here's how utilities can prepare
Utilities must leverage technology to modernize their business models, maximize program value and maintain relevance in the new, customer-centric environment.
By Michael Mernick • Oct. 08, 2019 -
OpinionAttracting next-gen urban EV consumers will require fancy footwork from charging companies
The environmental and financial rewards are substantial for companies that figure out how to provide reliable, cost-effective charging in public parking garages.
By William Sierzchula • Oct. 07, 2019 -
NYC picks 9 buildings for 'deep energy retrofits'
The retrofits follow passage of the Climate Mobilization Act, which set a goal to reduce government operation emissions 50% by 2030.
By Jason Plautz • Oct. 02, 2019 -
Maryland sees biggest energy efficiency improvements, Kentucky largest decline: ACEEE
Maryland's EmPOWER program expansion bumped it up three slots in the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy's annual state rankings, while Kentucky dropped nine slots.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 02, 2019 -
Renewable gas or electrification? Minnesota's high stakes experiment on building decarbonization
CenterPoint Energy proposed a green tariff for renewable natural gas that was rejected by Minnesota regulators, but the utility says the fuel is a viable path to decarbonization.
By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 01, 2019 -
Pittsburgh becomes second city in the world to join UN energy efficiency program for buildings
The United Nations and Green Building Alliance signed an agreement with the city to establish an International Center of Excellence on High Performance Buildings in order to cut building emissions.
By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 30, 2019 -
Uber, EVgo partner to expand ride-share electrification
The companies signed an MOU to research use of EVs on the platform and assess where more charging infrastructure is needed.
By Jason Plautz • Sept. 27, 2019 -
Deep DiveNortheastern utilities aim to 'crush and flatten' system peaks as DERs boost grid efficiency
DER providers and utilities have found shared market interests in New England, leading to cooperative BYOD programs that provide a range of benefits for customers and the power system.
By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2019 -
ACEEE: 'Ambitious' energy efficiency could halve US emissions by 2050
If cities are to hit climate goals and remain in step with targets outlined in the Paris climate agreement, they will need to take bold action, a new American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy report finds.
By Chris Teale • Sept. 19, 2019 -
San Jose becomes largest city requiring all-electric buildings, as local climate actions rise
The new requirements go into effect next year and aim to decrease solar and storage costs, increase the availability of electric vehicle charging and encourage the use of more efficient appliances.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2019 -
Trump administration threatens California emissions authority as state continues EV-focus
California passed six EV-related bills this legislative session, but its zero emissions vehicle rebate program could be threatened by EPA's actions.
By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 19, 2019 -
Virginia Gov. Northam orders 100% carbon-free power by 2050
The governor's order also calls for the state to reach 30% renewable energy and reduce its power consumption 10% below 2006 levels by 2022.
By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 18, 2019 -
OpinionBurlington, Vermont's net zero energy roadmap showcases how utilities can lead on climate
The city's goal of eliminating fossil fuel use across the electric, thermal and ground transportation sectors, may be one of the most ambitious local climate goals in the nation, writes Burlington Electric's Darren Springer.
By Darren Springer • Sept. 18, 2019 -
The value of customer-sited storage: It's about more than demand charges, study finds
Surprise findings in the report from the Department of Energy's Berkeley Lab can help inform new rate structures for customer-sited storage.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2019 -
New England grid operator sees potential for year-round power constraints
Despite a tight supply-demand balance, ISO-NE said it expects to operate a reliable and affordable electric grid through transmission investments and a reliance on energy efficiency.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2019 -
Michigan urges MISO, PJM to improve regional reliability after Consumers compressor station fire
In a letter to the grid operators, the state's governor and head regulator called for quicker interconnection processes to improve regional resource diversity and a reexamination of demand response capabilities.
By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 12, 2019 -
City grids risk being overwhelmed by EV growth: Report
Electricity supplies could suffer without partnerships between utilities and city agencies, The Rocky Mountain Institute and Seattle City Light warned.
By Chris Teale • Sept. 10, 2019 -
Duke updated IRP projects around 2.2 GW load growth, met with new natural gas
The utility plans to retire around 3.6 GW of coal by 2033, and plans to meet that capacity plus its projected load growth with gas as well as some solar and storage technologies.
By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 06, 2019 -
DOE downplays impact of new light bulb rules, but NGOs ready to sue
The U.S. Department of Energy says new standards for general service incandescent lamps are not economically justified. Efficiency advocates say they would save consumers billions. The fight is likely headed to court.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 04, 2019
