Advances sound energy efficiency policies, programs, and priorities in the Midwest.
State Energy Efficiency Policy Database
Nebraska
Related Publications & Documents
(Research Report - 2/16/2012)
(Research Report - 10/20/2011)
Related Items
(Press Release - 10/3/2012)
(Press Release - 2/16/2012)
Related External Links
Nebraska Utility Policies
Nebraska's 162 electric utilities are all publicly-owned. There is utility-sector energy efficiency activity statewide with Omaha Public Power District, Nebraska Public Power District and Lincoln Electric System accounting for the majority of utility program spending and efforts; other energy efficiency activities are at 84 other utilities. The Nebraska Energy Office administers a loan program for energy efficiency improvements using federal and trust funds. The Energy Office drafted an Energy Plan in 2011: http://www.neo.ne.gov/Energyplan2011.pdf.
According to the Nebraska Power Association (http://www.nepower.org/), Nebraska electric utilities reported savings 80,000 MWh in 2010. Nebraska utilities have the ability to reduce peak demand by over nine percent through various demand-response programs. Electric efficiency program budgets were $16.5 million for 2011. Reported budgets for energy efficiency programs for 2011, and electricity savings for 2010, are in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
There are 16 publicly-owned and four investor-owned natural gas utilities in Nebraska. Nebraska natural gas utilities do not offer energy efficiency programs at this time.
Links:
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March 28, 2013
There are many utility customer energy efficiency programs in Nebraska. More than 80 electric utilities offer a variety of energy efficiency programs for their customers:
- Commercial and Industrial – Audits, Benchmarking, Innovation Grants, Commissioning Agricultural Energy Audits, Irrigation Efficiency and Geothermal;
- Residential – Equipment Programs, Cooling System Tune-Ups, Whole House Sealing and Insulation, New Construction with ENERGY STAR, and Home Air Leakage Tests and Energy Audits;
- Education and Outreach – School-Based Education/Energy Detective Kits, Information Services, Consumer Education; and
According to the Nebraska Power Association, Nebraska electric utilities reported saving 80,000 MWh in 2010 from energy efficiency activities.
Nebraska natural gas utilities do not offer energy efficiency programs at this time.
Reported budgets for energy efficiency programs for 2011, and electricity savings for 2010, are in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Links:
- Nebraska Public Service Commission
- Nebraska Energy Office
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
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March 28, 2013
Statewide spending on customer energy efficiency programs in 2010 was $10.3 million, according to EIA, and $129 million by the Nebraska Energy Office--including state and federal funds--according to the Nebraska Power Association. Electric utility energy efficiency budgets for 2011 were $16.5 million. Reported budgets for energy efficiency programs for 2011 are in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) has deposited $1 million into the Dollar and Energy Saving Loan Program for 2.5 percent loans to their customers for heat pumps, programmable thermostats and back-up natural gas furnaces. American Recovery and Reinvestment funds totaling $11 million were added to the Dollar and Energy Saving Loan capitalization pool which now totals $36 million.
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October 10, 2012
There is currently no EERS in place. For more information on Energy Efficiency Resource Standards, click here.
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March 28, 2013
There is currently no policy in place that decouples utility profits from sales. For more information on decoupling and alternative business models, click here.
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March 28, 2013
There is currently no policy in place that rewards successful energy efficiency programs. For more information about utility regulation and policy, click here.
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March 28, 2013
While no EERS is in place, the three largest utilities have established the following goals:
- Lincoln Electric System: Offset the utility’s five-year load growth through energy efficiency and renewable energy;
- Omaha Public Power District: Reduce peak demand by 50 MW by the end of 2012;
- Nebraska Public Power District: Reduce native load energy sales by 13,700 MWh in 2010.
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August 3, 2012
- Cost-effectiveness test(s) used: TRC, UCT, PCT
- Uses a deemed savings database: no
The evaluation of ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs is not formally required in Nebraska, and the rules for benefit-cost tests are not specified. Evaluations are administered by the utilities and are conducted statewide and for each of the utilities. Nebraska uses three of the five classic benefit-cost tests identified in the California Standard Practice Manual. These are the Total Resource Cost (TRC), Utility/Programs Administrator (UCT), and Participant (PCT) test. Nebraska specifies the TRC to be its primary test for decision making. The benefit-cost tests are required for portfolio and total program level screening.
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March 27, 2013