AskPSC - EPS

EPS

Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard

"15 x 15" and EPS

Energy use in New York State is increasing every year, and the trend is expected to continue. Between 2004 and 2005, New York's electricity sales increased 1.3 percent and natural gas usage increased 2.2 percent. At this rate, electricity usage alone is estimated to be nearly 13 percent higher by 2015 than it is today. To address this concern, the State has outlined a long-term strategy to address the State's energy needs. A major part of this strategy is to reduce electricity use by 15 percent from forecasted levels by 2015. This is one of the most ambitious energy reduction goals in the nation!

In support of the State's "15 by 15" initiative, the Public Service Commission kicked off a major effort in May 2007 to involve all interested parties in identifying the best ways to achieve greater levels of energy efficiency. This effort, which also involves setting a similar goal for natural gas usage, is taking place in the Commission's Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EPS) proceeding. This proceeding will further ensure that the benefits of energy efficiency are realized by all customer classes, including residential, low-income, small business, and commercial customers. Some of these benefits include a cleaner environment resulting from reduced use of fossil fuels, lower customer bills because of lower energy use, and new economic development opportunities.

Additional information regarding this initiative is located on the Department's Web site and can be found here.

We Need Your Help

As part of the EPS effort, we want to hear from you on measures you have taken or would consider taking to reduce energy use in your home or business, the barriers you face, and the assistance you need. Please take a few minutes to complete as appropriate the residential or business surveys below.

EPS Survey For:
Residential Customers
Business Customers

EPS Governance Proposal Filed
On January 11^th, a proposal was filed with the Administrative Law Judges by several parties to the Proceeding. The parties’ filing request that the Judges consider a governance structure proposal that addresses the roles of entities that would be acquiring energy efficiency resources, a process to develop overall strategy and ensure broad participation and transparency, and reporting requirements. On January 15^th, the Judges issued a Ruling establishing a comment schedule. Parties may file replies, no later than January 25^th, to both the procedure and the substance of the proposal.

PSC Encouraged Public Input
In the Order (Case 07-M-0548) establishing the EPS proceeding, the Commission encouraged public input from all interested stakeholders. To achieve that, Staff's August 2007 Proposal identified outreach and education as a key principle that will support the success of the EPS initiative by ensuring that consumers are informed and have adequate opportunities to participate in the process.

PSC Sponsors Regional Roundtables
During October and November, nine roundtables were held across the State. The Roundtables were conducted to both give people information about the issue and for Staff to learn from participants what energy efficiency programs are important, what assistance is needed, and what barriers exist, and how best to educate consumers. The regional roundtables took place in the Capital District, the North Country, New York City, the Catskill Region, Central New York, and the Southern Tier. More than 160 participants attended including residential and low-income advocates, senior citizens, environmental justice advocates, neighborhood associations, community action agencies, housing officials, grassroots organizations, Cornell Cooperative Extension agents, weatherization experts, energy advocates, architects, bankers, building managers, economic development officials, small and large commercial business people, and public officials. PSC Staff prepared a Report on the Regional Roundtables. In addition, a summary of the numerous and diverse comments and suggestions that were received at the roundtables can be found here.

Working Groups Established and Collaborative Meeting Held
On December 14, 2007, each of the four Working Groups provided summaries of the results of their work at Plenary Meeting convened by the Administrative Law Judges. The Working Groups have been meeting over the last several months to discuss, among other issues, the overall EPS structure; energy efficiency resource acquisition; measurement and verification; and emerging technologies. Click here for more information about the Working Groups and to read their final reports.

DPS Staff Issues Proposal for Energy Efficiency ProgramAs part of the energy efficiency initiative, DPS staff issued a comprehensive report> on Energy Efficiency Program Design and Delivery on August 28, 2007. The report offers a framework for pursuing EPS goals, provides general principles for natural gas and electricity programs for all customer classes, describes current energy efficiency delivery programs and potential changes, identifies new programs and existing program enhancements that can be implemented in early 2008, addresses evaluation and monitoring issues, and offers ideas for establishing a natural gas energy efficiency goal to be reached by 2015. A pdf version of the DPS Staff report is available for viewing on-line or downloading to your computer.