U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Utility Sector Leaders Make Firm Commitment to Energy Efficiency
Contact: Enesta Jones, (202) 564-4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov
(San Francisco, Calif. - July 31, 2006) More than 80 energy, environmental
and other organizations announced commitments and public statements in support
of the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (NAPEE), released today, which
provides energy consumers and providers information on policies and techniques
to save money as well as protect the environment. By adopting the plan's
recommendations on low-cost, under-used energy efficiency, Americans could save
hundreds of billions of dollars on their gas and electric utility bills, cut
greenhouse gas emissions, and lower the costs for energy and pollution controls.
"President Bush is helping change the way America powers its homes and
businesses by lifting the barriers blocking investments in energy efficiency,"
said EPA Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock. "Smart power technology avoids
greenhouse gas emissions, protects our nation's energy security, and saves money
– a hat trick for our environment and our wallets."
"Taking action to support the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency is a
great step towards maximizing energy efficiency, while also answering the
president's call to be mindful of energy consumption," Kevin Kolevar, DOE
director of the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability said.
The action plan was developed with assistance from the Department of Energy and
U.S. EPA. It provides five recommendations for helping states and utilities
overcome policy, regulatory, and other barriers that limit investment in energy
efficiency even when investment in more efficient homes, buildings and
industries would cost less than new supply and would lead to overall lower
energy bills.
The recommendations include: 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 plan builds upon best practices from successful efficiency
programs already operating in many areas, to remove barriers that have limited
utilities, states and customers from pursuing cost-effective energy efficiency
resources.
The action plan was developed by a leadership group of more than 50
organizations, which was co-chaired by Jim Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy and
president of the Edison Electric Institute, and Commissioner Diane Munns, member
of the Iowa Public Utility Board and president of the National Association of
Regulatory Utility Commissioners. The leadership group includes 23 electric and
gas utilities, 16 state agencies, and 12 other organizations, with 15
organizations observing the work of the leadership group.
As part of today's announcement, 72 stakeholders across 33 states announced
commitments to take action within their own organizations to increase investment
in energy efficiency.
More information about the organizations' commitment:
http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/actionplan/leadership.htm
More information about NAPEE:
http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/actionplan/eeactionplan.htm
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