BOSTON – On January 29, the Department of Public Utilities (Department) issued an order approving the 2016?2018 Three?Year Energy Efficiency Plans of the Commonwealth’s electric and gas distribution companies and the Cape Light Compact. The plan, supported by the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, is expected to deliver an estimated $8 billion in economic, environmental and energy benefits – or three dollars in benefits for every dollar invested in efficiency.
“The Department of Public Utilities’ approval of the Three-Year Plans is a victory for customers, the environment, and the economy,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to reduce energy and environmental costs for businesses and homeowners while helping Massachusetts meet its clean energy and climate goals.”
“The Three?Year Energy Efficiency Plans that we approve today advance the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to reducing costs and conserving energy, and enables Program Administrators to deliver the energy savings that have made Massachusetts the most energy efficient state in the nation for five consecutive years,” said Department of Public Utilities Chairman Angela M. O’Connor.
The Three?Year Plans were developed through a comprehensive and collaborative effort involving the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council. The Council, chaired by the Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), represents a broad spectrum of stakeholder perspectives, including, but not limited to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, low-income advocates, advocates for large and small businesses, and environmental groups.
“This plan highlights the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to a clean, affordable and resilient future,” said DOER Commissioner Judith Judson. “The utilities, energy efficiency providers and stakeholders who have worked hard on this proposed plan are ensuring that the Commonwealth continues to lead on energy efficiency.”
The energy savings goals in the 2016-2018 Plans once again set nation-leading savings levels for both electricity (2.93 percent of retail sales) and gas (1.24 percent of retail sales). The Plans also ensure continued growth of cost-effective energy efficiency in the Commonwealth with year over year increases in annual and lifetime savings goals for both electric and gas. These goal levels represent a significant increase from the 2013-2015 Three Year Plans, including a 15 percent increase in electric savings and a 10 percent increase in gas savings.
The energy efficiency programs in the Three?Year Energy Efficiency Plans are expected to reduce statewide carbon emissions by 1.95 million tons annually. This reduction is comparable to taking approximately 410,162 cars off of the road over the course of the Three?Year Plan.
Massachusetts recently earned the #1 ranking for the fifth consecutive year in the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) 2015 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard. In the scorecard, Massachusetts received the highest mark possible for its utility-managed energy efficiency programs.
