SWEEP Regional Energy Efficiency News

Colorado Adopts Legislation to Deregulate the Sale of Electricity for Charging Electric Vehicles

Fri, 04 May 2012 23:18:33 GMT

Colorado Adopts Legislation to Deregulate the Sale of Electricity for Charging Electric Vehicles
Friday, May 04, 2012

On May 3, 2012, Gov. Hickenlooper signed HB 1258, important legislation which helps pave the way for electric vehicles (EVs) in Colorado by deregulating the sale of electricity for charging them. In its final version, the bill repeals the statutory monopoly for utilities to sell electricity for the purpose of charging EVs. The bill authorizes anyone to resell electricity at retail to charge EVs without having to receive regulatory approval from the PUC. The bill also allows the generators of electricity to sell power to charge EVs at the location where the power is generated without seeking PUC approval. The bill applies the net metering rules to on-site generators, but modifies the rules to allow the on-site generating capacity to be sized based on both historical kWh use and expected demand when EV charging is added to the historical load for the property. SWEEP worked closely with legislators, electric utilities, and environmental organizations to draft, negotiate and win passage of the bill.

HB 1258, final version

Arizona Public Service Company to Help More Customers Save Money and Energy

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:08:37 GMT

Arizona Public Service Company to Help More Customers Save Money and Energy
Friday, April 27, 2012

Arizona Public Service Company (APS) customers will see additional opportunities to reduce their utility bills thanks to the Arizona Corporation Commission’s unanimous adoption of the utility’s 2012 energy efficiency plan. On March 27, 2012, the Commission voted to approve APS’s plan, which will deliver annual energy savings that exceed 480 GWh per year and provide about $195 million in net economic benefits for households and businesses. The 2012 programs are targeted to achieve annual energy savings equivalent to 1.75% of retail sales, thereby meeting the requirements of Arizona’s Energy Efficiency Standard. SWEEP advocated for approval of the 2012 Plan in comments before the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Arizona’s Two Largest Regulated Electric Utilities Deliver More than 1.25% Savings in 2011

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:36:10 GMT

Arizona’s Two Largest Regulated Electric Utilities Deliver More than 1.25% Savings in 2011
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Arizona’s two investor-owned electric utilities, Arizona Public Service (APS) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP), report that their energy efficiency programs achieved annual energy savings exceeding 1.25% of retail energy sales in 2011. Indeed, recently filed reports describe annual energy savings of 537 GWh per year, lifetime energy savings of 5,224 GWh, and societal net benefits of $137.2 million, all as a result of programs implemented in 2011. These results are significant because they represent the second time Arizona’s investor-owned utilities have achieved greater than 1% energy savings in a single year. SWEEP applauds the 2011 achievements of APS and TEP.

Nevada Utilities Commission Cuts Funding for NV Energy’s DSM Programs

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:35:40 GMT

Nevada Utilities Commission Cuts Funding for NV Energy’s DSM Programs
Thursday, April 19, 2012

On March 15, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) approved substantial cuts in funding, relative to previously approved levels, for NV Energy’s demand-side management (DSM) programs in 2012. DSM program budgets in Nevada are first approved as part of a three-year DSM plan but are also subject to annual review. In total, the PUCN approved about $57 million in DSM funding for Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company in 2012, roughly equal to DSM program spending in 2011 but nearly 38% below the previously approved budget for 2012. The cuts were made in large part due to the severe economic recession, reduced electricity demand, and excess generating capacity in the state in the short run. SWEEP objected to reducing funding for cost-effective DSM programs and helped prevent even deeper cuts.

Click here for details of the PUCN’s decision

Xcel Energy Achieves Higher Energy Savings in 2011

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:46:38 GMT

Xcel Energy Achieves Higher Energy Savings in 2011
Thursday, April 19, 2012

Xcel Energy, the main electric utility operating in Colorado, reports it achieved about 312 million kWh per year of net electricity savings from energy efficiency programs implemented in 2011, 24% more savings than was achieved from programs implemented in 2010. The energy savings from 2011 programs exceeded the savings goal set by the Colorado PUC by a wide margin. Xcel implements a wide range of energy efficiency programs aimed at helping its residential, commercial and industrial customers improve energy efficiency and reduce their electricity consumption. Programs implemented in 2011 had a benefit-cost ratio of 2.85 on average, leading to about $197 million in net economic benefits for Xcel’s customers over the lifetime of energy efficiency measures installed in 2011.

Xcel Energy’s 2011 Demand-Side Management Annual Report

SWEEP Releases Report on Improving Energy Code Compliance

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:45:45 GMT

SWEEP Releases Report on Improving Energy Code Compliance
Tuesday, April 03, 2012

SWEEP has released a new report aimed at improving energy code compliance in local jurisdictions. The report, “Energy Code Enforcement: Best Practices from the Southwest,” identifies an eight-step approach, which could help municipalities and states comply with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act requirement to achieve 90 percent compliance with energy codes and standards, compared with current compliance rates of only 10-70% nationwide.

The report is based upon the successful compliance practices in the Town of Parker, Colorado, and describes how the process can be replicated for large and small municipalities. Additional case studies are included from Salt Lake County, Utah; the City of Westminster, Colorado; Pima County, Arizona; and the City of Las Vegas, Nevada. Each community is implementing a specific practice to improve code compliance in one area of building construction.

Among the recommendations in the report is the simultaneous training of building inspectors, builders, and trades, while phasing in the requirements of a new code or standard. The report is written and presented in sixteen concise pages for the busy building code official, builder, and building tradesman.

Download report (PDF - 910 KB)