{"id":9499,"date":"2015-02-25T12:35:20","date_gmt":"2015-02-25T18:35:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=9499"},"modified":"2015-02-26T09:37:26","modified_gmt":"2015-02-26T15:37:26","slug":"efficiency-is-what-texas-can-and-should-do-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2015\/02\/25\/efficiency-is-what-texas-can-and-should-do-best\/","title":{"rendered":"Efficiency is what Texas Can (and Should) Do Best"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SPEER\"<\/a>I have been involved in Texas\u2019 energy sector for a long time, particularly from an environmental perspective.<\/p>\n

I was there when the state\u2019s metropolitan centers and their robust industrial sectors were challenged to reduce ozone-forming pollution. I was there when Texas\u00a0deregulated its energy market <\/a>to increase competition, improve choices for residents and businesses, and lower electricity prices. And now, I\u2019m here to witness the state\u2019s transition to a clean energy economy \u2013 one that harnesses more West Texas wind energy, rooftop solar, and natural gas (with the right controls<\/a> in place) than any other time in history.<\/p>\n

The one thing that ties all of these events together is efficiency \u2013 something Texas has led in the past.<\/p>\n

Energy efficiency is Texas\u2019 most cost-effective way to reduce energy use and carbon pollution from power plants. It also creates other benefits to the power grid, like improving reliability<\/a> and lowering costs for infrastructure maintenance. Plus, saving energy saves water<\/a>, which is critical in a state like Texas under the pressure of a multi-year drought.<\/p>\n

[Tweet “#Energyefficiency is what Texas can (and should) do best #TXlege http:\/\/ow.ly\/JEbbR\u00a0“]<\/p>\n

Texas was actually the first state to set an energy efficiency resource standard, when the electricity market was restructured in 1999. Since then, 25 other states have followed Texas’ lead by creating an energy efficiency goal.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Texas\u2019 targets and national rankings have been on a downward slope ever since. But, I\u2019ve seen Texas put its top minds to work before and innovate to lead the nation. And, last week, our energy efficiency experts laid out a blueprint to do exactly that.<\/p>\n

The South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource<\/a> (SPEER), of which our own Jim Marston<\/a> is a board member, recently released a series of recommendations developed by more than 23 individuals, including former regulators and legislators, representatives of electric companies, non-profits, manufacturers, academic institutions, and more.<\/p>\n

This report<\/a> explicitly asks our elected officials \u201cto designate and empower an existing state agency and hold it accountable for proposing, developing, and publicizing coordinated policies that advance energy and water efficiency.\u201d Further, it lists seven commonsense, achievable policy recommendations that will put Texas on a path toward lower electricity bills, job creation, national competitiveness, and improved public health. These recommendations include:<\/p>\n