The Public Utility Commission Thursday released its annual report covering Phase II of the Act 129 energy conservation program which documents a total of $2.2 billion in savings for consumers and 3.3 million megawatt hours of electricity over 3 years.

“These initial results and determinations for Phase II demonstrate the success of the EE&C programs,” said Chairman Gladys M. Brown in a statement at today’s meeting.  “I commend Commission staff, the EDCs, and the energy efficiency service providers across the state for their continued work in this arena.”

Chairman Brown noted in a statement for every $1 invested in energy efficiency through the Act 129 programs, $1.70 was achieved in energy savings for consumers.

“The report confirms, once again, that Pennsylvania's Act 129 energy efficiency programs are making the Commonwealth more energy efficient -- reducing energy use and helping businesses and residents save money,” said Matt Elliott, Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance.  “Better yet, the programs are cost-effective and deliver net benefits to everyone that pays an electric bill.

"In addition to saving energy and saving money, the federal Department of Energy recently reported that energy efficiency supports 62,431 jobs in Pennsylvania,” Elliott explained.  “In fact, despite economy-wide ups and downs, Pennsylvania's energy efficiency industry has seen an average annual job growth rate of 7.5 percent year after year, for the past 7 years.”

“Today’s report demonstrates that smart state energy policy like Act 129 can deliver cost savings while also creating tens of thousands of jobs,” said Elliott.  “These are local Pennsylvania jobs - many of which could never be outsourced - and we applaud the legislature for having the foresight to enact 129, and to continue to support the programs over the years as energy savings and job creation add up, year over year.” 

“We also applaud the state's utilities for running cost-effective, efficient

programs that are serving Pennsylvania's residents, government and non-profit buildings, low-income households, small businesses, and large commercial and industrial facilities.

The report said all 7 electric distribution companies achieved the following with their efficiency and conservation programs:

-- Met Phase II targets for electric consumption reduction;

-- Obtained a minimum of ten percent of all consumption reduction requirements from government/educational/non-profit institutions;

-- Obtained a minimum of 4.5 percent of their total consumption reduction requirements from the low-income sector; and

-- Fulfilled the requirement to include specific energy efficiency measures for households at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.

The report summarizes Phase II of the EE&C program.  The Commission continues overseeing EDC implementation of the current five-year third phase of the EE&C programs. Phase III operates through May 31, 2021.

A copy of the report is available online.

For more information, visit the PUC’s Act 129 webpage or the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance’s Act 129 webpage.

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[Posted: April 6, 2017]

4/10/2017