AUSTIN, Texas, July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Efficiency Texas, a broad coalition of electricity consumers seeking to expand energy efficiency programs offered by Texas utilities, today endorsed a plan sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that creates a national commitment to energy efficiency. The DOE/EPA National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency was unveiled this morning in San Francisco, CA.

"Efficiency Texas strongly supports the DOE/EPA Action Plan and applauds those involved with its development," said Mark R. Stover, director of Efficiency Texas. "We hope the Action Plan will strengthen our effort to expand efficiency programs in Texas so that the power, cost and environmental benefits of energy efficiency are fully realized."

The goal of the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency is "to create a sustainable, aggressive national commitment to energy efficiency through gas and electric utilities, utility regulators and partner organizations." The Action Plan states that improving energy efficiency is "one of the most constructive, cost-effective ways to address the challenges of high energy prices, energy security and independence, air pollution and global climate change."

Fifty leading organizations developed the Action Plan and pledged to see that it is implemented. The National Action Plan's policy recommendations, which were endorsed by Efficiency Texas, are:

* Recognize energy efficiency as a high-priority energy resource;

* Make a strong, long-term commitment to implement cost- effective energy

efficiency as a resource;

* Broadly communicate the benefits of and opportunities for energy

efficiency;

* Promote sufficient, timely and stable program funding to deliver

energy efficiency where cost-effective; and

* Modify policies to align utility incentives with the delivery of cost-

effective energy efficiency and modify ratemaking practices to promote

energy efficiency investments.

"The National Action Plan explains why energy efficiency is so important and it provides excellent recommendations for states to follow," said Stover. "The Action Plan is an important roadmap for policymakers and it will play a strong role in Efficiency Texas's campaign for a more efficient Texas."

The Texas Legislature in 1999 required each investor-owned electric utility to offer cost-effective, market-based energy efficiency programs to meet at least ten percent of the utility's annual electric load growth. Customer demand for the utilities' efficiency programs is exceptional. In fact, the majority of the efficiency programs in Texas are oversubscribed and most funds are gone for the remainder of 2006. That leaves large numbers of customers unable to obtain efficiency incentives, which lower energy costs and bring environmental improvements.

"While our energy efficiency programs have been successful to date, the energy efficiency goal is simply too modest," added Stover. "Energy efficiency has never been more important. It's time for Texas to provide incentives to make energy efficiency a priority for our regulated utilities."

Efficiency Texas includes commercial building owners, retailers, churches, environmental organizations, citizen groups and individual businesses. The Coalition wants cost-effective energy efficiency programs to be available year-round and fully funded to ensure that consumer demand for such programs is adequately met. To meet its goal, Efficiency Texas supports cost recovery and reasonable incentives for utilities that exceed the efficiency mandate of the Texas Legislature.

For more information on the Coalition, please visit http://www.efficiencytexas.org . The Action Plan is available at http://www.epa.gov/clean energy/eeactionplan.htm .

SOURCE Efficiency Texas