CONNECTICUT
2012 Integrated Resource Plan (6/14/12)
Includes the following provisions:
- Expand Energy Efficiency to Attain All Cost-Effective Energy Savings
Based on the 2010 study of Connecticut’s energy-efficiency potential, the IRP concludes that the state can cost-effectively achieve approximately 2% energy savings each year by: - Increasing the budget for Conservation and Load Management programs from $105 million annually under a business-as-usual budget to $206 million annually; and
- Initiating complementary measures such as low-cost financing, more aggressive codes and standards, and information and training to induce behavioral changes.
- Net of all program and participant costs, customers would save $534 million per year by 2022 compared to a business-as-usual base case, and the programs and associated customer savings would support an additional 5,500 in-state jobs by 2022.
- Projected air emissions should decline between 5% and 10%.
- Analyze Renewable Portfolio Standard Issues and Develop Longer Term Renewable Energy Policy
- Class III Renewable Portfolio Standard should be revised to focus primarily on providing incentives to combined heat and power and third-party energy efficiency programs that do not have a dedicated source of funding.
- If cost-effective renewable resources and associated transmission projects do not sufficiently develop in New England, or if customers pay large amounts of Alternative Compliance Payments without achieving the Renewable Portfolio Standard objectives, then DEEP would consider other methods to reduce air emissions from the power sector such as further increasing investments in other clean energy or efficiency resources.
DELAWARE
DE HB 129 (signed into law 7/1/11) Resources for the Energy-Efficiency Investment Fund
- Transfers the first $5 million in proceeds generated by the public utility tax to the new Energy-Efficiency Investment Fund used to finance projects and create jobs
- Preference will be given to projects expected to produce the greatest reduction in energy consumption per fund dollar invested, improve environmental performance, spur capital construction, and encourage job creation and retention.
MAINE
ME LD 431 (SP 135) (passed 05/10/11)
- Modifies the definition of “Energy savings improvement” under the state’s PACE program to include an upgrade of any heating equipment that will result in increased energy efficiency.
ME LD 1864 (SP 649) (passed 04/04/12)
- Amends the Efficiency Maine Trust Actin order to:
- Place an equal emphasis on programs regarding alternative heating energy sources and energy efficiency;
- Establish cost-effective heating rebates and loan programs; and
- Expand a voluntary renewable resource fund to include energy efficiency, among other things.
ME LD 553 (HP 436) (passed 06/09/11)
- Amends An Act To Improve Maine’s Energy Security to include a section about oil dependence including reduction targets of:
- At least 30% from 2007 levels by 2030 and at least 50% of 2007 levels by 2050 in all sectors of the state economy through the use of energy efficiency and alternative energy sources for heating and transportation.
- The Governor’s Office of Energy Independence and Security is to develop a plan to achieve those targets by December 1, 2012 and updates of the state’s progress in meeting the targets is to be included in Maine’s biennial comprehensive state energy plan.
Maryland
MD H 972 2011 (Chapter No. 369) (5/10/11)
- Authorizes adoption of the International Green Construction Code by the Department of Housing and Community Development; and
- Authorizes local jurisdictions authorized to adopt and make local amendments to the Code.
New Hampshire
Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Districts NH H 144 2011 (Chapter No. 68)
- Establishes that financing for participating property owners in energy efficiency and clean energy districts may be provided through issuance of municipal revenue bonds (but not from general municipal revenues) and removes the priority lien provision for loans made by energy efficiency and clean energy districts.
New York
NY AB 8510 (SB 5844) Green Jobs – Green New York On-Bill Recovery (signed 08/04/11)
- Calls for each combination electric and gas corporation of a certain size to implement a billing and collection service for on-bill recovery charges in payment of obligations of its customers to the Green Jobs-Green New York Revolving Loan Fund;
- No fees or penalties are permitted for prepayment of any such loan; and
- Interest rates of such loans can be no higher than necessary to make provision of the qualified energy-services feasible.
Rhode Island
An Act Relating to Public Utility Rates (5/27/11)
- Harmonizes electric and natural gas energy-efficiency funding with the provisions of the least-cost procurement law;
- Enables investment in all energy-efficiency resources that are cheaper than supply, thus lowering consumer energy bills; and
- Extends the renewable energy fund.
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