WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Public Power Association and the Natural Resources Defense Council have teamed to make businesses and households more energy efficient.

Through a joint initiative, the groups will work to improve building and equipment efficiency standards.  The initiative also will boost the country’s energy efficiency infrastructure through support of existing regional alliances and new university centers on energy efficiency.

The APPA and NRDC also plan to develop and promote drive energy efficiency improvements while maintaining utilities’ financial integrity the development and promotion of rate-setting policies.

The initiative will enable APPA members to pool resources to take advantage of industry-wide best practices for tapping energy efficiency in publicly-owned electricity systems.

“This new partnership between APPA and NRDC will help public power systems throughout the country expand their energy efficiency efforts,” Mark Crisson, APPA president and CEO, said in a statement. “Public power systems have been the leaders in energy efficiency, and this new relationship will support building on that foundation for the benefit of our consumers and the environment."

In other energy efficiency news, the state of New York plans to reduce electricity use by 15 percent by 2015 through its Energy Efficiency Portfolio. Money generated through the program will be dedicated to improve system reliability and lower peak demand for electricity.