PA extends energy conservation mandate

August 17, 2012 | By Travis Mitchell

The Pennsylvania Public Utilites Commission (PUC) has extended Act 129, which regulates energy efficiency and reduction benchmarks, through May 2016.

Act 129 was passed in 2008, and its first phase will conclude in July 2013. By then, state utilities with more than 100,000 customers will be required to meet peak demand redcution targets, submit plans for smart meter distribution and develop proposals for time-based pricing. The decision to extend the law came after the PUC's five-year review found the law had been cost effective and positive for both consumers and utilities.

"This study concludes that continuing electric energy-efficiency programs in a Phase 2 of Act 129 will continue to be very cost effective for Pennsylvania ratepayers," according to a report from GDS Associates commissioned by the PUC.

The second phase of Act 129 eliminates mandates for peak demand reduction and implements specific efficiency targets for each utility, according to a report in the Pittsburgh Business Journal. Energy-efficiency savings from the first phase of the program will not be carried over. Phase two compliance plans must be filed with the PUC by November 1, 2012.

For more:
-see this article
-see the Act 129 analysis