Energy efficiency was the topic of the day at the Public Utility Commission during a workshop held in Austin on June 30. The agency is considering changes to the state’s energy efficiency program, which requires transmission and distribution utilities to provide customers with incentives to be more energy efficient.
Here’s a bit of background on the issue: the state’s transmission and distribution utilities do not administer energy efficiency programs for free, but rather are permitted to recover the costs from ratepayers. Additionally, utilities that exceed their demand reduction goals are eligible to receive a bonus. The bonuses awarded to utilities can range anywhere from $5 million to $10 million.Oncor, a transmission and distribution utility, offered a presentation on the estimated cost of meeting the proposed demand reduction goals. Frontier Associates and Good Company, both consulting firms, gave presentations on the benefits of meeting demand reduction goals and the cost effectiveness of Texas’ energy efficiency program. Representatives from the State Energy Conservation Office and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs reported on federal money being spent within the state on energy efficiency measures, such as weatherization. Finally, the Retail Electric Provider Coalition offered a presentation on the potential cost impact of the proposed amendments to consumers.
Written comments have been previously filed in this project and can be found here. The Commission is expected to make a decision on the rules in July or early August.
-- Eileen McPhee
