Utilities Seek to Increase Energy Efficiency
By CP Editorial Staff - October 2007 - Design & Construction
Eight utilities are seeking regulatory reforms and approvals to increase their investment in energy efficiency by $500 million annually to about $1.5 billion annually, according to the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI).
This increased level of investment in energy efficiency, when fully implemented in 10 years, will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 30 million tons — the equivalent of removing nearly 6 million cars from the road, according to CGI. It will also avoid the need for an estimated 50 500-megawatt peaking power plants.
The utilities – Con Edison, Duke Energy, Edison International, Great Plains Energy, Pepco Holdings, PNM Resources, Sierra Pacific Resources and Xcel Energy – represent nearly 20 million customers in 22 states.
The utilities have also committed to the creation of a national institute for electric efficiency to develop regulatory models and convene supporting conferences in the power sector. This institute would be formed within the Edison Electric Institute, which represents the nation’s investor-owned electric utilities.
