Identifies and remedies retail barriers to the deployment of distributed generation, demand response, and energy efficiency in the Mid-Atlantic.
State Energy Efficiency Policy Database
District of Columbia
Related Publications & Documents
(Research Report - 4/22/2013)
(Research Report - 3/5/2013)
Related Items
(Press Release - 10/3/2012)
Related External Links
District of Columbia Utility Policies
The District of Columbia has had customer energy efficiency programs funded by a systems benefits charge and administered by the District of Columbia Energy Office since a 2005 decision by the DC Public Service Commission. This fund, the Reliable Energy Trust Fund, was created as a result of the District's 1999 Retail Electric Competition and Consumer Protection Act. The fund has supported a variety of programs and services since it was established in 2005. Initial funding in 2006 was about $8 million.
In 2008, the District of Columbia enacted the Clean and Affordable Energy Act, which eliminated the Reliable Energy Trust Fund and replaced it with the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund. This fund is administered by DC's third-party "Sustainable Energy Utility" (DCSEU) with an initial budget of $7.5 million in 2009. The District Department of the Environment estimated the total electric energy efficiency budget for 2010 was approximately $9.4 million.
Responsibility for the implementation of energy efficiency programs was transferred from PEPCO to DCSEU in 2011. Reported budgets for energy efficiency programs for 2011, and electricity savings for 2010, are in the State Spending and Savings Tables. Efficiency program spending in 2012 is estimated to be $15 million.
Links:
- District of Columbia Public Service Commission
- District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU)
- District Department of the Environment
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March 28, 2013
The District of Columbia has had customer energy efficiency programs funded by a systems benefits charge and administered by the District of Columbia Energy Office since a 2005 decision by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia. The Reliable Energy Trust Fund was created as a result of authorization included in the District's 1999 "Retail Electric Competition and Consumer Protection Act." The fund had supported a variety of programs and services since 2005. Program services included energy awareness programs, rebates for efficient appliances, and low-income energy assistance.
In December 2008, the DC Public Service Commission approved five demand-side management programs. These programs are implemented by Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO), a local utility.
In 2008, the District of Columbia enacted the Clean and Affordable Energy Act, which effectively eliminated the Reliable Energy Trust Fund and replaced it with a new fund, the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund. This fund is administered by DC's third-party "Sustainable Energy Utility," which was established in 2009. Responsibility for the implementation of energy efficiency programs was transferred from PEPCO to DCSEU in 2011.
The District Department of the Environment estimates its programs combined with PEPCOs saved 55,911 MWh in 2009, equal to 0.46% of sales.
Reported budgets for energy efficiency programs for 2011, and electricity savings for 2010, are in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Links:
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March 28, 2013
The initial public benefits energy efficiency program created in 2005 was funded at a level of about $8 million in 2006. The changes underway in funding and administration of energy efficiency and related renewable energy programs in the District will yield a significantly larger program budget by 2012, when total funding is expected to be about $20 million. The District Department of the Environment estimates the electric energy efficiency budget for 2010 to be approximately $9.4 million, and natural gas $1.5 million.
Reported budgets for energy efficiency programs for 2011 are in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
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October 5, 2012
There is currently no EERS in place.
For more information on Energy Efficiency Resource Standards, click here.
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October 16, 2010
In September 2009, Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO) received approval for its Bill Stabilization Adjustment which would implement electric revenue decoupling. (Case No. 1053, Order No. 15556)
In December 2009 Washington Gas Light filed a request for decoupling, but the application was denied. (Case No. 1079)
Links:
District of Columbia Public Service Commission docket search.
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October 5, 2012
The DC Council adopted the Clean and Affordable Energy Act (CAEA) of 2008 effective October 1, 2008 which authorizes the Energy Office to contract with a “Sustainable Energy Utility” (SEU) for the implementation of energy efficiency programs. Section 202 of the CAEA, codified at section 8-1774.02, specifies that the contract between the District Department of the Environment and the SEU “shall be performance based and shall provide financial incentives for the SEU to surpass the performance benchmarks set forth in the SEU contract. The SEU contract shall also provide financial penalties to be applied to the SEU if the SEU fails to meet the required performance benchmarks.”
Links:
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March 28, 2013
There is currently no policy in place that treats energy efficiency as a resource.
For more information on energy efficiency as a resource, click here.
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October 16, 2010
- Cost-effectiveness test(s) used: SCT
- Uses a deemed savings database: no
The evaluationof ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs in the District of Columbia relies on legislative mandates (Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008). Evaluations are administered by the DC Public Service Commission, with assistance from the District Department of the Environment. There are no specific legal requirements for these evaluations in the District of Columbia. Evaluations are conducted statewide and for each of the utilities. In terms of a benefit-cost test, the District of Columbia relies on the Social Cost Test (SCT) and considers it to be its primary cost-effectiveness test. The rules for benefit-cost tests are stated in the Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008. These benefit-cost tests are required for overall portfolio screening.
Links:
- Authority: Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008, August 2008
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March 27, 2013