Energy efficiency is an eligible resource in Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, signed into law in 2004 and requiring that qualified power sources provide 18.5 percent of Pennsylvania’s electricity by 2020. Efficiency qualifies as a Tier II resource in the state’s two-tiered program.
On October 15, 2008, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed H.B. 2200, which requires electric utilities to create plans and implement programs to reduce consumer electricity demand. By May 2011, electrical consumption must have decreased by at least one percent of levels projected by the Commission for the June 2009-May 2010 period. By May 2013, consumption must have decreased by at least three percent from the same forecast period, and peak demand must have decreased by at least 4.5 percent.
Options available to utilities to achieve these demand reductions include programs to promote solar photovoltaic technology, energy efficient windows and doors, and efficient lighting. At least 10 percent of the energy reductions are to come from the public sector, and the bill also requires that utilities create efficiency measures that help low-income households reduce their energy bills. H.B. 2200 allows utilities to make rate adjustments to recover the costs of the program.
Press Release [1]
H.B. 2200 [2]
Links:
[1] http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=2999&PageID=431162&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/global/news_releases/governor_s_office/news_releases/governor_rendell_signs_energy_conservation_bill_to_save_consumers_millions_on_electricity__urges_legislature_to_pass_rate_mitigation_bill.html
[2] http://www.pewclimate.org/docUploads/PA%20HB2200_1.pdf