ACEEE Report Presents Comprehensive Findings of the Potential for Greater Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy in Pennsylvania
According to an analysis released today by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), energy efficiency improvements can save Pennsylvania consumers nearly $5 billion each year on energy bills and help create 27,000 new, local jobs by 2025. Potential for Energy Efficiency, Demand Response, and Onsite Solar Energy in Pennsylvania examines the potential for…
According to an analysis released today by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), energy efficiency improvements can save Pennsylvania consumers nearly $5 billion each year on energy bills and help create 27,000 new, local jobs by 2025. Potential for Energy Efficiency, Demand Response, and Onsite Solar Energy in Pennsylvania examines the potential for greater energy efficiency, demand response, and onsite solar energy use in Pennsylvania and suggests a suite of policies to tap into the Commonwealth’s energy savings potential and reap substantial economic benefits.
The report suggests a suite of energy efficiency and solar energy policies and programs beyond existing commitments in Pennsylvania that would help reap substantial economic benefits and act as a significant energy resource, meeting nearly a quarter of the Commonwealth’s electricity needs and 15% of its natural gas needs by 2025, including:
- A statewide home retrofit program, expanding upon two existing Home Performance with Energy Star programs now operating in Pennsylvania
- Stronger energy codes for new buildings and expanded efforts for code implementation and enforcement
- A long-term Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS), which extends energy savings goals for electricity utilities beyond 2013 and expands goals to natural gas utilities
- Incentives for consumers, installers and manufacturers for onsite solar energy, such as photovoltaics (PV) and solar hot water heating
- An industrial initiative to expand industry-specific energy efficiency expertise and offer energy assessments and efficiency expertise to manufacturers
- Workforce development coordination among various state and local entities
- Expanded demand response capabilities to help shift energy use from peak periods to off-peak periods
- Appliance efficiency standards beyond those set at the federal level
The report, available for free download, is the latest in a series of ACEEE analyses on state opportunities for energy efficiency and other clean energy resources. Hard copy can be purchased for $65 plus $5 postage and handling from ACEEE Publications, 529 14th St, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20045
