Still the First Fuel: National Review of the Cost of Utility Energy Efficiency Programs

摘要

Over the past two decades, U.S. energy efficiency programs have been widelyrndocumented as a least-cost resource option compared to new electricity generation. As efficiencyrnprograms gain traction as a robust resource option for energy planners, there is an increasingrnneed for high-quality, comprehensive, and consistent data metrics on the costs and benefits ofrnefficiency programs. This paper summarizes the results of a recent meta-review of energyrnefficiency program costs for 2009–12 in about 20 states (Molina 2014). Data metrics utilized inrnthis review include the levelized cost of saved energy for both electricity and natural gasrnprograms, and costs by customer class. This paper dives deeper into the results to identify trendsrnamong jurisdictions about the relationship between costs and savings thresholds. Finally, thernpaper makes recommendations to improve cost reporting and consistency for efficiencyrnprograms. While utilities and program administrators in some regions have begun to report inrnstandardized formats, other jurisdictions still lag far behind in efficiency program reporting andrncould learn from studying programs in other states and regions.