By Josh Craft | Wed, October 24, 12
Presidential election aside, November brings many important state and federal policy developments for energy efficiency. From state elections and energy efficiency plans, the Northeast states will be busy this month shaping energy and regulatory policy and NEEP will be there to provide you with context and analysis on what's to come. Here are some notable developments in energy efficiency policy that we're following:
1) State Elections: While the presidential election will no doubt have a major impact on U.S. energy policy, we are closely following state legislative and gubernatorial elections. These elections will shape state energy and regulatory policy where we do the bulk our work. 2010 saw a shift in power towards legislators often skeptical of energy efficiency's promise in some states in our region. Whether this trend will continue be something to watch for as results come in on November 6.
2) Connecticut's Comprehensive Energy Strategy: Under the leadership of Governor Dannel Malloy and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Dan Esty, Connecticut seeks to place a strong emphasis on energy efficiency during his term. NEEP praised their ambitious draft Comprehensive Energy Strategy earlier this month, which will set the course for what the state will focus on in the next few years. Key policy options in buildings include efforts to disclose building energy use and new financing for energy efficiency measures. DEEP will hold hearings next month to take input on the final plan.
3) State Energy Efficiency Plans: A number of states in our region will be filing their 2013 energy efficiency plans in early November, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. NEEP will be following these filing through the regulatory process and provide further commentary when they are released.
4) Massachusetts Bill Impact Analysis: The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Commission issued its order in Docket 08-50D regarding customer bill impacts, ruling that it will return to the traditional bill impact analysis when evaluating electric and natural gas efficiency programs under the Green Communities Act. A group of advocates, including NEEP, and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) argued that the DPU should retain a bill impact model that demonstrated the full benefits of investment in energy efficiency. The full comments from the stakeholder group are available here.
As you're aware, there is a lot going on in the world of energy efficiency policy right now, so we'll also be tracking developments in energy efficiency forecasting, state efforts to adopt the 2012 modelenergy codes, and federal product efficiency standards. Stay tuned for more news and analysis and the release of the Regional Roundup next month!