San Francisco (Platts)--17Sep2007

The California Public Utilities Commission's lead advocate for energy
efficiency, along with a PUC judge, on Monday released a proposal intended to
establish a comprehensive framework for the state's energy efficiency
programs.

     The proposal, by PUC member Dian Grueneich and administrative law judge
Kim Malcolm, would direct California's investor-owned utilities to prepare a
single, comprehensive statewide energy efficiency plan. The plan would need to
describe the utilities' strategies for achieving cost-effective energy
efficiency through 2020 and beyond.

     The proposal would require all new residential construction in California
to be zero net energy by 2020 and that all new commercial construction be zero
net energy by 2030. In addition, heating, ventilation and air conditioning
programs would have to be revised to increase efficiency.

     The proposal "creates a framework for sustainable energy efficiency and
other demand-reducing programs and a process for accomplishing extensive
energy savings through long-term strategic planning. To do this well requires
an approach that transcends regulatory, programmatic, and jurisdictional
constraints, and emphasizes a broader view of the energy efficiency
landscape," said Grueneich.

     The proposal would establish collaborative processes with business,
consumer groups and government groups in California, throughout the West,
nationally and internationally.

     The plan reflects a pledge by Western states to work cooperatively on
energy efficiency, said Grueneich and Malcolm in their proposal. 

     The PUC is scheduled to vote on the proposal on October 18.

		--Lisa Weinzimer, lisa_weinzimer@platts.com