New three-year energy efficiency plan aims to create nearly $9 billion dollars in benefits from energy savings
Barnstable, Mass., February 4, 2013 – Cape Light Compact as part of the Massachusetts’ gas and electric program administrators received approval from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) on January 31, 2013 for their joint 2013-2015 three-year energy efficiency plan to deliver energy efficiency services that will result in nearly $9 billion dollars in economic benefits to residents and businesses across the Commonwealth.
Cape Light Compact’s highlights
Cape Light Compact estimates savings of 118,078 MWh annually and 1,173,045 MWh of lifetime electric savings.
Cape Light Compact will continue to make a strong commitment to energy education outreach by increasing consumer awareness through presentations, events, and marketing. The showpiece of the Compact’s award-winning energy education program and initiatives is its collaboration with the National Energy Education Development Project (“NEED”) in the development of an energy education program for elementary through secondary level teachers and students on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.
The Compact will continue to offer rebates for inefficient room air conditioners and dehumidifiers by partnering with Barnstable County’s Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Service to conduct community “turn-in” events during the popular Household Hazardous Waste Collections.
The Compact will continue to offer enhanced benefits for year-round renters and customers who fall between 60-80% of median income.
In 2013, the Compact is implementing a territory-wide initiative to retrofit approximately 14,000 municipally-owned streetlights with LED lamps, with no co-pay for participating towns or fire districts.
Small business tenants who qualify will receive increased incentives up to 95% for direct install measures, and for other small business customers, the Compact is offering an additional zero interest financing option directly through its primary direct install program vendor.
“We’re pleased that the Compact’s ambitious three-year Energy Efficiency Plan has been approved. We look forward to helping local towns, residents, and businesses reduce energy consumption and utility bills still further in 2013-2015. It was also good news to see the DPU address the lag in funding for energy efficiency programs through this regulatory change, since it negates the need to correct this through the legislature,” stated Joyce Flynn, Cape Light Compact’s Chair.
Statewide Plan Highlights
This is the second three-year plan that has been developed under the Green Communities Act (GCA) which calls for the state’s energy efficiency Program Administrators to develop a comprehensive statewide plan every three years that addresses energy needs by first investing in energy efficiency and demand reduction before purchasing new energy supply. The Program Administrators are made up ofMassachusettsutilities NSTAR, National Grid, Western Massachusetts Electric, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, New England Gas, Unitil, Berkshire Gas, Blackstone Gas and the municipal aggregator Cape Light Compact.
In developing their new plan for 2013 – 2015, Program Administrators worked closely with the Patrick Administration, the office of Attorney General Martha Coakley and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC). Program Administrators also worked with a diverse group of stakeholders that included business and civic leaders, policy makers, advocates and Massachusetts residents in a highly interactive two-day summit designed to generate ideas to shape new energy efficiency programs. In addition to existing successful efforts, such as free Mass Save® home energy assessments, equipment rebates, low-income services and HEAT Loan financing programs, additional ideas generated from the sessions incorporated into the new plan include approaches targeted specifically toward economically challenged neighborhoods, the healthcare sector and office space.
One hallmark of the Program Administrators’ comprehensive plan is their commitment to continue nationally-recognized services to low-income customers. This low income delivery effort is coordinated through the state’s low-income weatherization and fuel assistance program network.
In keeping with the GCA, the Program Administrators’ plan also calls for promoting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and stimulating job creation in the clean energy sector. With projected Program Administrator costs of approximately $2 billion and estimated savings benefits of nearly $9 billion, economic and environmental benefits to consumers will be substantial.
The Program Administrators estimate that 2,300 jobs will be created in clean energy as a result of the implementation of the energy efficiency programs for residential and business customers.
For the second consecutive year, the Commonwealth was named the most energy efficient state in the country, and Massachusetts’ energy efficiency providers are working to help the Commonwealth keep that distinction by implementing the approved three-year plan to deliver energy efficiency services that will result in nearly $9 billion dollars in economic benefits to residents and businesses across the Commonwealth. The three-year plan was unanimously approved on November 13, 2012 by the EEAC an eleven member Council established under the GCA. The plan was then filed with the DPU, and after a series of public and evidentiary hearings, the DPU approved the plan on January 31, 2013.
Cape Light Compact’s plan and the statewide energy efficiency plan are available at www.capelightcompact.org/eep.
About Cape Light Compact
Cape Light Compact is an intergovernmental organization consisting of the 21 towns and 2 counties on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. The Compact’s mission is to serve our 200,000 customers through the delivery of proven energy efficiency programs, effective consumer advocacy, competitive electricity supply and green power options. For more information, visit www.capelightcompact.org or call 1-800-797-6699.
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