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"DOE, EPA Establish `Leadership Group' With Utilities, Business for Energy Efficiency"

More than 50 utilities and businesses have joined the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency to launch an aggressive new national commitment to energy efficiency in order to combat rising costs, the agencies said Dec. 2.

The effort could substantially increase utility funding for energy efficiency and save customers up to $300 billion on energy bills over the next 15 to 20 years, according to Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman and EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson.

The first meeting of the new group was held Dec. 2.

According to a backgrounder, the group will develop an "energy efficiency action plan" to document a set of business cases, best practices, and recommendations designed to spur greater investment in energy efficiency by utilities and energy end-users within the next five years.

Members will commit to take action within their own spheres of influence in the near term, as well as participate in a broader communications strategy to share business cases and create additional leadership opportunities during the summer of 2006.

Utility Investment Limited.

A number of factors are limiting greater utility investment in energy efficiency, government and business officials said. The leadership group will look at policies and programs that are delivering results around the country, develop a common understanding of what works, and develop and follow through on recommendations for action.

The leadership group is co-chaired by Diane Munns, member of the Iowa Utilities Board and president of the Natural Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and Jim Rogers, chairman and chief executive officer of Cinergy.

"Like Cinergy, many utilities are looking to energy efficiency to balance high demand growth with corporate goals for reduced environmental impact and costs," Rogers said.

In addition to the federal agencies, the group is made up of representatives from gas and electric utilities, state agencies, energy service providers, environmental/energy efficiency organizations, and energy consumers.

Wide-Ranging Membership.

Members include:

+ state utility commissioners from California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Iowa, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington;

+ utility executives from American Electric Power, Austin Energy, Baltimore Gas and Electric, Bonneville Power Administration, Cinergy, Entergy, Exelon, New Jersey Natural Gas, New York Power Authority, Pacific Gas and Electric, PNM Resources, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Santee Cooper, Seattle City Light, Southern California Edison, Southern Co., and Xcel Energy, and state agency representatives from California, Connecticut, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas;

+ environmental and energy efficiency organizations such as the Alliance to Save Energy, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, and Natural Resources Defense Council;

+ and representatives from ISO New England, PJM Interconnection, Dow Chemical Co., Food Lion, Johnson Controls, Servidyne Systems, US Automobile Association Realty Co., and Vermont Energy Investment Corp.

Organizations such as the American Gas Association, American Public Power Association, Edison Electric Institute, National Association of Energy Service Companies, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, National Association of State Energy Officials, National Energy Assistance Directors' Organization, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and North American Insulation Manufacturers Association will be "observers" to the leadership group.

DOE Launches E-Bulletin.

DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has launched a new "e-bulletin" to announce new and significant developments in programs and research.

The "EERE Progress Alerts" will be sent via e-mail and posted online as new developments in technology research occur.

Subscribers will receive information on all EERE programs, including renewable energy such as solar, geothermal, wind, hydropower, biomass, and hydrogen, along with vehicle technologies, buildings and industrial technologies, and energy efficiency.

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/eeactionplan.htm