SWEEP - Projects 2001-2002

Southwest Energy Efficiency Project

SWEEP Projects

State Energy Legislation:
Legislative efforts are integral in advocating for the greater expansion of state and utility energy efficiency programs. Active in each of the southwestern states, SWEEP researches and develops bill language, builds coalitions in support of sound energy legislation, testifies at committee hearings and tracks all energy-related bills. From 2003-2007, SWEEP has worked on 30 energy efficiency bills that have become law in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. This legislation includes improving energy efficiency in state facilities, policies to advance utility demand-side management programs, establishing building energy codes, performance standards for appliances and lighting, and tax incentives for innovative energy efficiency measures. To learn more, click here.

Utility Energy Efficiency Programs:
SWEEP assists utilities throughout the region in the design and analysis of demand-side management (DSM) programs for both residential and business customers. SWEEP also presents testimony to state utility commissions arguing for expanded utility energy efficiency programs. Since its inception, SWEEP has helped to increase funding for electric utility energy efficiency and load management programs by 338% from $29 million in 2002 to $127 million in 2007. SWEEP also has helped to initiate natural gas utility energy efficiency programs in a number of southwest states. To learn more, click here.

Building Energy Codes:
SWEEP supports the adoption, implementation, and enforcement of stronger building energy codes in new construction of homes and commercial buildings. Work also includes “Beyond Code” policies that promote homes and buildings 25-50% more energy efficient than minimum code requirements, and High Performance buildings that are highly efficient and produce renewable energy onsite.

Combined Heating, Cooling and Power (CHP):
CHP is a key step to meeting the region’s energy needs. It refers to generating electricity at or near the place where it is used, and then “recycling” the waste heat for a second thermal energy use. SWEEP partners with the etc Group to run the Intermountain Combined, Heat and Power (CHP) Center, an initiative funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Energy. To learn more, visit: www.intermountainchp.org.

Energy Efficiency in the Rural Southwest:
In 2007, SWEEP began working to advance energy efficiency in the rural areas of the Southwest. These areas usually have higher per household energy use than in urban areas because of aging homes and limited access to programs and information on energy efficiency. SWEEP is working with local communities and rural electric cooperatives to build up energy efficiency programs and support in rural areas.

Information Development, Education and Outreach:
SWEEP hosts workshops and develops publications targeting industry professionals, end users and policymakers on the energy efficiency potential in the region, policy and program options, and the latest technologies. Resources include two web-based energy efficiency guides for businesses in Colorado and Utah, case studies of energy efficiency projects implemented throughout the region, and presentations from a workshop focused on advancing the use of modern evaporative cooling technologies as well as SWEEP’s annual regional energy efficiency workshops.

To learn more about SWEEP publications, click here.
To learn more about news and events, click here.

© 2002-2008 Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
2260 Baseline Rd. Suite 212, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 447-0078 fax: (303) 786-8054 info@swenergy.org

Last Updated: 03/07/2008