SWEEP Regional Energy Efficiency News

Study of Co-Benefits of Energy Efficiency and Renewables in Utah: Air Quality, Health, and Water Benefits

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:22:19 GMT

Study of Co-Benefits of Energy Efficiency and Renewables in Utah: Air Quality, Health, and Water Benefits
Friday, March 05, 2010

A new study, completed by Synapse Energy Economics, Inc. under contract to several Utah State agencies, establishes and applies a methodology to quantify the co-benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy in the areas of avoided human health costs and depletion of water resources. Co-benefits are defined as the monetary value of the externalities, or indirect social costs, of energy production which are avoided by implementing new policies designed to either displace or replace existing generation. The results of this study can be used for considering the full costs and benefits of new generators in utility integrated resource plans; determining effective strategies to comply with federal or regional air quality plans and state implementation plans; estimating pathways to meet emissions targets for regional and federal regulations; and other purposes.

Download the full report (PDF – 1.4 MB)

Decoupling, Stronger Inverted Block Rates Proposed in Utah

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:42:08 GMT

Decoupling, Stronger Inverted Block Rates Proposed in Utah
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Two important proposals to advance greater energy efficiency were submitted recently in a rate design case for Rocky Mountain Power (RMP), the main electric utility in Utah. The Division of Public Utilities (DPU) proposed decoupling of the utility’s fixed cost recovery and electricity sales to residential customers, a policy that would remove a key financial disincentive that RMP faces when it implements effective energy efficiency programs. SWEEP and Utah Clean Energy (UCE) proposed adopting stronger tiered rates to give high usage residential customers greater financial incentive to increase energy efficiency and conserve energy. RMP already has moderately tiered rates in effect in summer months. The two proposals, decoupling and stronger inverted block rates, complement each other. The Utah Public Service Commission is expected to reach a decision in this docket in May.

Utah DPU testimony (PDF - 551 KB)
SWEEP and UCE testimony (PDF - 351 KB)

Utah Clean Energy releases the state's first Clean Energy Economic Development Study

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:11:27 GMT

Utah Clean Energy releases the state's first Clean Energy Economic Development Study
Friday, February 19, 2010

Results from a new report, titled Building the Clean Energy Economy: A Study on Jobs and Economic Development of Clean Energy in Utah, show that investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy have the potential to yield significant economic benefits for Utah. The report analyzes the economic impacts of an electricity portfolio with 20% energy efficiency and 20% of electricity sales from renewable resources by 2020. This scenario yields nearly 7,000 new ongoing jobs in the state, $310 million in additional wages and salaries, and a $300 million net annual increase in gross state product (GSP) by 2020 compared with official state projections. Compared with a reference scenario based on current utility resource plans, the study shows the creation of 4,100 new jobs, $140 million in additional wages and salaries, and a $20 million increase in GSP by 2020. SWEEP was a co-sponsor of the study, which was completed by Utah Clean Energy at the request of the Utah Governor’s Energy Advisor.

Press Release (PDF - 111 KB)
Building the Clean Energy Economy (PDF - 1.88 MB)

Nevada Power Company Submits New Three-Year DSM Plan

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:01:03 GMT

Nevada Power Company Submits New Three-Year DSM Plan
Monday, February 08, 2010

Nevada Power Company (NPC) filed a new Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada on February 1, 2010. This filing includes the company’s proposed plan for 2010-12 demand-side management (DSM) programs. NPC is proposing to spend about $270 million on 20 different DSM programs during 2010-12. A significant portion of the budget pertains to smart meters as they relate to DSM efforts. NPC is proposing to spend about $59 million per year on average for core energy efficiency and load management programs, about 20% more than the budget for these programs in recent years. SWEEP in partnership with Nevadans for Clean, Affordable and Reliable Energy (NCARE) will intervene in the docket and argue for even greater funding for cost-effective DSM programs. For a copy of the NPC DSM plan, see volumes 6 and 7 of the IRP, which is available at http://www.nvenergy.com/company/rates/filings/index.cfm.

SWEEP Report Profiles Energy Efficiency Businesses and Projects in Colorado

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:26:18 GMT

SWEEP Report Profiles Energy Efficiency Businesses and Projects in Colorado
Monday, February 01, 2010

On February 1, SWEEP released “Energy Efficiency in Colorado’s New Energy Economy: Business Case Studies,” a new report presenting eleven case studies which illustrate the range and variety of economic benefits of energy efficiency to businesses in Colorado. The report profiles five representative Colorado businesses that are making great strides in manufacturing, selling, and installing energy efficiency in the state. These companies have experienced 100 – 500 percent growth in the last two years, and are creating new jobs for Colorado residents as they grow. The report also presents six case studies of recent commercial, industrial and institutional energy efficiency projects around the state, which have resulted in significant energy cost savings and other benefits.

Energy Efficiency in Colorado’s New Energy Economy: Business Case Studies (PDF - 1 MB)

SWEEP and UCE Recommend Policies for Strengthening Electric Utility DSM Programs in Utah

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:29:09 GMT

SWEEP and UCE Recommend Policies for Strengthening Electric Utility DSM Programs in Utah
Thursday, January 28, 2010

On January 20, Sarah Wright, Executive Director of Utah Clean Energy (UCE), made a presentation on behalf of SWEEP and UCE at a Technical Conference sponsored by the Utah Public Service Commission on electric utility demand-side management (DSM) policies in Utah. The presentation included a number of recommendations that would enhance or reward electric utility investment in DSM programs including adopting energy savings goals or standards, decoupling utility electricity sales and fixed cost recovery, and allowing utilities to earn a profit on their expenditures on cost-effective DSM programs.

SWEEP-UCE Presentation (PDF - 585 KB)