2010.01.29-Massachusetts Takes the Lead – New Efficiency Plans Save Consumers Billions and Achieve Nation’s Highest Savings Levels Press
Massachusetts Takes the Lead – New Efficiency Plans Save Consumers Billions and Achieve Nation’s Highest Savings Levels
January 29, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Sam Krasnow 617-742-0054 x101 or 401-439-0041 (cell)
Jeremy McDiarmid 617-742-0054 x102 or 617-429-0677 (cell)
BOSTON, MA--The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) today approved three-year statewide energy efficiency plans that will provide first-in-the nation level savings for both electric and natural gas customers. The three-year plans have been under development since the beginning of 2009, and put the Commonwealth on course to achieve more than $6 billion in consumer benefits through larger investments in cost-saving energy efficiency. The electric efficiency savings level of 2.4% per year is the highest in the nation, outpacing Vermont at approximately 2% and California at approximately 1%.
“These plans place Massachusetts firmly on track to lead the nation in energy efficiency efforts,” said ENE (Environment Northeast) Executive Director Daniel Sosland. “This precedent-setting commitment to efficiency investment will allow thousands more Massachusetts homes and businesses to participate in programs that put money in their pockets, grow jobs in the local economy and clean up our energy supply.”
The three-year plans are part of last year’s Green Communities Act, which requires utilities and program administrators to invest in all energy efficiency that is cheaper than new supply. ENE and other members of the state’s Energy Efficiency Advisory Council worked closely with utilities and program administrators to shape these plans for maximum economic and environmental benefit. The programs are designed to ramp-up to achieve electric energy savings of 2.4% per year and natural gas energy savings of 1.15% per year.
“The DPU’s decision represents an important milestone in realizing the vision set out in the Green Communities Act,” said ENE Policy Advocate and Attorney Sam Krasnow, who represented ENE as an appointed member of the Council. “Executing these plans will bring billions of dollars in savings while reducing the Commonwealth’s dependence on polluting fossil fuels, positioning the state to be a leader in the clean energy economy.”
ENE recently quantified the profound economic impact that investments in efficiency have on local economies in its report with EDR Group, Energy Efficiency: Engine of Economic Growth. ENE’s findings demonstrate that for every additional dollar invested in electric and gas energy efficiency, Massachusetts will see an approximate increase in gross state product of $6.40 and $7.50, respectively, as dollars previously spent on imported fuels stay in the local communities. ENE also projects that this level of investment will lead to about 25,000 additional jobs. These efficiency investments will provide significant climate and air emissions benefits, helping the state achieve its new climate goals.
“Energy efficiency remains the most affordable, most immediately available, and most effective way to meet our energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas pollution in the power sector,” explained Krasnow. “The cheapest and cleanest power plant is the one that is never built, and the economic and environmental savings will go back to the people and communities of Massachusetts.”
Under the Green Communities Act, the DPU must review and approve plans submitted by the utilities and program administrators, taking into account the advice of Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, which recommended approval of the plans in October of 2009.
ENE Study of Macroeconomic Benefits of Efficiency Investments:
http://www.env-ne.org/resources/open/p/id/964
Study Results for Massachusetts: http://www.env-ne.org/resources/open/p/id/965
More about MA Energy reform and the 3-year plans at ENE’s Web site:
http://www.env-ne.org/projects/open/p/id/321/program/Energy
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ENE 101 Tremont Street, Suite 401, Boston, MA 02108 617-742-0054 www.env-ne.org
Rockport, ME / Boston, MA / Hartford, CT / Providence, RI / Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
ENE (Environment Northeast) is a non-profit organization that researches and advocates innovative policies that tackle our environmental challenges while promoting sustainable economies. ENE is at the forefront of state and regional efforts to combat global warming with solutions that promote clean energy, clean air and healthy forests.
