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New York Offers Utilities Incentives to Reduce Customer Energy Use
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The New York State Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, will offer almost $27 million to electric utilities to encourage them to set up energy efficiency programs.
The Commission wants to see utilities create programs that help customers use less energy and also prevent anticipated increases in electricity bills. Looking at current trends, the Commission expects that energy use in 2015 will be 11 percent higher than today.
Utilities will be awarded funds only if they meet reduction goals. The Commission has identified potential reductions for each service territory in the state along with maximum incentives totaling $26.96 million. The Commission plans to start out with lower reduction expectations, and increase them as utilities gain more experience.
Overall, the Commission hopes to create an annual reduction of 693,951 megawatt hours a year, which makes up the Commission's portion of the state's goal of cutting energy use by 15 percent by 2015.
Additionally, the Commission will make an extra $5 million available for meeting electricity demand reductions in New York City, although the reduction targets have not been set.
"Incentives are valuable in securing a long-term commitment by utilities to achieving efficiency goals," said Commission Chairman Garry Brown.
The program applies only to electrical utilities. The Commission negotiates incentives for gas utilities on a case-by-case basis.
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Reduce customer energy use
I have to applaud the incentive of the New York State Public Service Commission in doing something positive about energy efficiency. However I feel that there are several important issues here. We need to apply pressure to manufacturers to produce even more energy efficient appliances and help the consumer to consider energy efficiency when purchasing. More importantly the consumer needs to be educated on how to save energy in the home. We don't need to have the many appliances and gadgets at home left on standby all the time. I really believe we should educate our children so that they grow up with good energy saving habits that will take them through life. The same can be said for large businesses. How often do we drive past department stores at night to see all the lights left on? We can do so much but we need to start focussing on the problem.
Sam
www.ibuygreen.co.uk
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