EnergyEfficiencyMarkets.com
December 23, 2014
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Look for new players, new programs and an expanding energy efficiency market if the Clean Power Plan goes forward as drafted.
So says a new report by the Analysis Group, which examines whether states can meet the energy efficiency targets set out by the Environmental Protection Agency. The report concludes that the states can meet the targets — and then some.
The Clean Power Plan calls for states to come up with strategies to reduce U.S. carbon dioxide emissions 30 percent by 2030. Energy efficiency is one of four building blocks that the EPA says will get us there. (The others are improving power plant heat rates, swapping coal for natural gas-fired generation, and maintaining nuclear power, while expanding renewables.)
In developing the carbon reduction plan, the EPA assumed that states can increase energy savings levels by at least 0.2 percent of annual electricity sales, and maintain a 1.5 percent savings level through 2030.
The Analysis Group examined what states have accomplished so far and goals they’ve set for the future. The economic consultants found that the EPA numbers are “on solid ground and, if anything, understate the potential to reach and sustain high levels of EE savings.” For full article…