California regulators last week approved a $3.1 billion budget for energy efficiency programs, marking what they said is the largest commitment ever made by a state to save energy.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved the budget for the years 2010-2012.
The funds will be directed through the states publicly owned utilities. These include Edison International’s (NYSE: EIX) Southern California Edison, PG&E Corp’s (NYSE: PCG) main unit Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and Sempra Energy’s (NYSE: SRE) San Diego Gas & Electric Co and Southern California Gas Company.
The programs are expected to create energy savings of almost 7,000 gigawatt hours, 1,500 megawatts (MW), and 150 million metric therms of natural gas; this is the equivalent of three 500-MW power plants and will avoid 3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
The funding from this decision can create between 15,000 and 18,000 skilled green jobs, CPUC said.
"Capturing the full energy efficiency potential in the state requires more than simply providing rebates to support the installation of the latest and greatest widget," said CPUC President Michael R. Peevey. "Broader programs that support holistic approaches to energy efficiency are absolutely essential if we are to achieve the longer term vision and faithfully pursue energy efficiency as the resource of first choice, as articulated by the loading order in the state’s Energy Action Plan."
Commissioner Dian M. Grueneich, the Assigned Commissioner for the CPUC’s energy efficiency programs, stated, "This decision implements the goals of the California Long-Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan to make energy efficiency a way of life in California and demonstrates California’s continued leadership role in the field of energy efficiency."
The approval includes the new California statewide program for residential energy retrofits, called CalSPREE. The program aims to reduce energy consumption by 20% for up to 130,000 California homes by 2012. The approval also funds $175 million for programs to deliver zero net energy homes and commercial buildings, including design assistance, incentives for "above code" construction, and research and demonstration of new technologies and materials.
$260 million in funding will be given to 64 cities, counties, and regional agencies for local efforts targeting public sector building retrofits and leading edge energy efficiency opportunities. Over $100 million will go to education and training programs to ensure a steady pipeline of blue and white collar energy efficiency professionals.
Loading...