ACHIEVING AGGRESSIVE UTILITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY GOALS

New Study Identifies Top States and Examines Factors Associated with Big Savings Results

Contacts: Martin Kushler, 517-655-7037
Dan York, 608-243-1123
Media Contact: Glee Murray, 202-507-4010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 16, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) today released a new report, Meeting Aggressive New State Goals for Utility-Sector Energy Efficiency: Examining Key Factors Associated With High Savings. This report presents the results of a comprehensive national review of recent accomplishments in utility-sector energy efficiency, and an examination of key factors associated with large savings achievements.  

In the past few years, high and volatile energy prices, soaring power plant construction costs, and increasing concerns over climate and potential carbon costs have all contributed to a new sense of urgency about the need for energy efficiency, and policymakers in a number of states have responded by setting energy efficiency savings goals at unprecedented levels. The intent of this report is to examine factors that may be important in considering how to achieve those aggressive new goals.

Using a combination of expert review and an analysis of actual energy efficiency spending and savings data, the report identifies a set of 14 “top states” in the U.S. in terms of utility-sector energy efficiency accomplishments. The report then goes on to examine and discuss a wide range of factors that could conceivably affect success in this area, and identifies factors that appear to be associated with high levels of energy efficiency savings.

The Utilities Program Director and lead author, Dr. Martin Kushler, summarized, “This study is intended to provide an overview of where we have been in terms of utility-sector energy efficiency accomplishments, and to help identify factors that will likely be important in achieving the aggressive new energy efficiency savings goals being established in many leading states.” Senior Research Associate and co-author Dr. Dan York added, “There is no single ‘magic bullet’ solution, but we’ve hopefully identified some elements that can help states develop strategies to meet the energy efficiency challenges they face.”

Meeting Aggressive New State Goals for Utility-Sector Energy Efficiency: Examining Key Factors Associated With High Savings is available for free download at www.aceee.org/pubs/u091.htm or a hard copy can be purchased for $30 plus $5 postage and handling from ACEEE Publications, 529 14th St, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20045, phone: 202-507-4000, fax: 202-429-2248, e-mail: aceee_publications@aceee.org.

####

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection. ACEEE fulfills its mission by conducting technical and policy assessments; working collaboratively with policymakers, businesses, and public interest groups; organizing conferences; publishing reports, conference proceedings, and consumer guides; and educating consumers.