{"id":4979,"date":"2013-09-12T21:08:05","date_gmt":"2013-09-12T21:08:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=4979"},"modified":"2015-12-21T12:45:16","modified_gmt":"2015-12-21T18:45:16","slug":"a-state-race-to-save-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2013\/09\/12\/a-state-race-to-save-energy\/","title":{"rendered":"A State Race To Save Energy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this year, the Alliance Commission on National Energy Efficiency Policy <\/span>unveiled a plan<\/a> to double nationwide energy productivity by 2030. \u00a0It\u2019s an ambitious move to greatly increase our nation\u2019s use of energy efficiency, which represents a huge \u2013 and largely untapped \u2013 opportunity.\u00a0 Reducing wasted energy through efficiency cuts harmful pollution and saves people money on their energy bills.\u00a0 After all, the cheapest, cleanest, most reliable electricity is the electricity we don\u2019t have to use.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Source: Church Times<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Similarly, the State Energy Race to the Top Initiative<\/a> (Initiative) is an incentive for states to make voluntary progress to increase their energy productivity. The U.S. Senate is moving forward to make this idea a reality.\u00a0 Originally introduced as a bill in June, the Initiative has now been filed as a potential amendment, sponsored by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Jon Tester (D-MT), to the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill<\/a>.\u00a0 If passed, the Initiative will stimulate energy innovation in both the public and private sectors, and allow states to tailor energy saving policies to\u00a0their particular needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Administered by the Department of Energy (DOE), the Initiative will be broken into two phases.\u00a0 In the first phase, following the submission of state proposals through their energy office, DOE selects 25 states to receive funding (a combined $60 million) to move their energy productivity concepts forward. \u00a0Although states have complete independence in developing and implementing their own clean energy strategies, the DOE will provide technical assistance upon request. \u00a0Eighteen months later, in the second phase, the 25 states will be asked to submit progress reports to DOE. \u00a0Based on their projects\u2019 success, DOE will then select up to six states to receive a share of $122 million to continue their energy saving efforts.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The $200 million initiative challenges states to work with diverse stakeholders, including electric utilities, regulators, clean tech entrepreneurs and environmental organizations. \u00a0Proposals should benefit all stakeholders, and can include a number of clean energy policy and program ideas. \u00a0This could involve the expansion of industrial efficiency, building retrofits, demand response policies, smart grid<\/a> investments and combined heat and power.<\/p>\n

In order for innovative clean energy technologies<\/a> to take off as the \u201cnorm\u201d across the country, some key states need to lead the charge \u2013 and this is where a State Energy Race to the Top Initiative could help drive progress.\u00a0 Many of the decisions regarding clean energy investment and deployment, including grid modernization, are governed by state policies in coordination with state legislatures, state energy offices, utilities and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n

State regulators in some states, such as California, Texas, Illinois, North Carolina and New York, are already working to put smart power policies in place.\u00a0 California, one of the first to act<\/a>, ordered its main investor-owned utilities to address three areas: reducing harmful pollution, fostering competition to increase energy innovation and allowing new clean energy sources the same access as traditional fossil fuel power generation.\u00a0 Texas, for example, boasts one of the most modern power grids<\/a> in the country due to advanced, smart metering and greater customer engagement, allowing Texans to participate as \u201cprosumers\u2019 \u2013 or consumers and producers of energy. Under this Initiative, any state that takes steps to push clean energy policies such as these would be eligible to apply for funds through the competitive grant program.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re wondering how states that are newer to clean energy policy will compete with those that are already clean energy leaders, the Initiative is designed to prevent this advantage. \u00a0The productivity increase of any state is relative to that state\u2019s initial baseline, as opposed to other states. \u00a0DOE will also be taking geographic diversity into account when allocating the funding, and will put aside $8 million for Indian Tribe participation.<\/p>\n

The Initiative builds on existing public and private networks, like the State Energy Program<\/a>, but is a separate statute in itself. \u00a0It has also seen strong support from groups such as the National Association of State Energy Officials, the American Gas Association and Edison Electric Institute.<\/p>\n

The initiative has potential to make a great difference in our country\u2019s energy productivity \u2013 providing a cost-effective tool for reducing our nation\u2019s energy consumption, while saving consumers money and reducing harmful air pollution.\u00a0 A recent ACEEE study<\/a> estimates that the State Energy Race to the Top Initiative would result in cumulative energy savings of roughly 380 billion kilowatts per hour (kWh) and a cumulative savings of carbon dioxide of 71.25 million metric tons (MMT) by 2030.\u00a0 This reduction in CO2<\/sub> emissions is equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from nearly 15 million passenger vehicles, or 20 coal-fired power plants. \u00a0According to a recent study, the Initiative would also significantly leverage additional capital.\u00a0 In fact, ACEEE\u2019s study shows that every $1 invested in this program returns $8.40 in energy savings.\u00a0 A great investment for the American taxpayer!<\/p>\n

The bottom line is that this Initiative a simple, effective, affordable idea that could yield real results for our health, economy and environment.\u00a0 It will allow states to develop energy saving policies and programs that work best for them, without mandates. \u00a0It will also drive states to become clean energy leaders by giving them a reason to innovate and a means to do it.<\/p>\n

Click here to take action<\/a> by urging your Senator to cosponsor the State Energy Race to the Top Initiative.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Earlier this year, the Alliance Commission on National Energy Efficiency Policy unveiled a plan to double nationwide energy productivity by 2030. \u00a0It\u2019s an ambitious move to greatly increase our nation\u2019s use of energy efficiency, which represents a huge \u2013 and largely untapped \u2013 opportunity.\u00a0 Reducing wasted energy through efficiency cuts harmful pollution and saves people …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31011,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[200,254,1,84830,181],"tags":[224,84843,53001,75],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-4979","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-california","category-energy-efficiency","category-uncategorized","category-grid-modernization","category-texas","tag-energy","tag-energy-efficiency","tag-energy-race-to-the-top","tag-environment"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nA State Race To Save Energy - 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