SWEEP Regional Energy Efficiency News

Strong Funding Maintained for Rocky Mountain Power DSM Programs

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:26:00 GMT

Strong Funding Maintained for Rocky Mountain Power DSM Programs
Friday, January 27, 2012

A Settlement Agreement has been filed with the Utah Public Service Commission to modify the tariff rider used to fund DSM programs implemented by Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) in Utah. Given that the utility has collected revenues in excess of DSM expenditures in the recent past, RMP initially proposed reducing the DSM tariff rider from 3.6% to 2.4% of customers’ bills on average. SWEEP and its partner Utah Clean Energy objected to this proposal, arguing that the proposed tariff rider level was inadequate to support new or enhanced DSM programs and potential increased program participation. Following negotiations, an agreement was reached among all parties to drop the tariff rider to 3.2% instead of 2.4%. The Settlement Agreement is unopposed and is expected to be approved by the Utah Public Service Commission.

Copy of RMP Settlement Stipulation (PDF - 200 KB)

Arizona Corporation Commision Approves Full Decoupling Mechanism for Southwest Gas

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:17:07 GMT

Arizona Corporation Commision Approves Full Decoupling Mechanism for Southwest Gas
Monday, December 19, 2011

On Tuesday, December 13th, the bipartisan Arizona Corporation Commission modernized utility rate setting for Southwest Gas, by approving a full revenue decoupling mechanism as part of the natural gas utility’s general rate case. Traditional regulation is built on energy consumption; it links energy sales to the recovery of utility fixed costs, encouraging utilities to sell more energy. Decoupling severs the link between utility recovery of fixed cost and energy sales, allowing utilities to pursue energy efficiency – the least expensive energy resource available – without compromising their ability to recover the fixed costs associated with the delivery of safe, reliable service. Recognizing the customer, economic, and environmental benefits of energy efficiency, the Arizona Corporation Commission adopted last year an efficiency standard requiring natural gas utilities to achieve 6 percent energy savings by 2020. The Commission also adopted a decoupling policy statement outlining how utilities should update rate-setting practices to promote energy efficiency and its associated benefits. SWEEP supported the Southwest Gas decoupling proposal.

The text of the Commission's decision is not yet available. Following is a link to the Recommended Opinion and Order by the ACC Hearing Division which the Commission subsequently approved.

Recommended Opinion and Order

SWEEP Announces 2011 Energy Efficiency Award Winners

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:03:39 GMT

SWEEP Announces 2011 Energy Efficiency Award Winners
Monday, December 19, 2011

The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) is pleased to announce that Deborah Kimberly, Denise Richerson-Smith, and James Wontor are the winners of its 2011 Leadership in Energy Efficiency Awards. The awards are given annually to individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing energy efficiency in the Southwest.

James Wontor leads the energy efficiency programs implemented by Arizona Public Service Company, Denise Richerson-Smith leads energy efficiency programs implemented by Tucson Electric Power, and Deborah Kimberly leads energy efficiency programs implemented by the Salt River Project. All three electric utilities operating in Arizona have greatly expanded their energy efficiency programs in recent years, with a combined budget increasing from about $40 million in 2008 to $130 million in 2011. Households and businesses in Arizona are saving hundreds of millions of dollars as a result of the energy efficiency programs implemented under the leadership of these three individuals.

Read the full Press Release (PDF – 91 KB)

SWEEP Hosts Eighth Annual Southwest Energy Efficiency Workshop in Salt Lake City

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:00:34 GMT

SWEEP Hosts Eighth Annual Southwest Energy Efficiency Workshop in Salt Lake City
Monday, December 19, 2011

On December 8 and 9, 2011, regional and national energy efficiency professionals gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah to hear the state of energy efficiency in the Southwest, and to learn about new and emerging policy opportunities and technologies that will result in greater energy efficiency adoption across the region.

SWEEP's Eighth Annual Southwest Regional Energy Efficiency Workshop provided a forum for utility, regulatory, state, and nonprofit representatives to hear the latest on demand-side management program development from the region's utilities, get updated on state policy efforts, and learn about emerging energy efficiency policies and technologies. The workshop featured a keynote address delivered by Claire Fulenwider, former Executive Director of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, as well as several other presentations by prominent regional and national energy efficiency leaders. In addition, the 2011 workshop included the presentation of SWEEP's Annual "Leadership in Energy Efficiency" Awards, given to individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing energy efficiency in the Southwest. The 2011 workshop was sponsored by Questar Gas Company and Rocky Mountain Power.

2011 Workshop Archives including all slide presentations