State and Utility
Energy Management
Incentive Guide

 INFORMATION  SUBJECT  TO  CHANGE.
Contact state PUC for latest information

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Matching Money

State and Utility Energy-Efficiency Initiatives can mean big bucks to end-users. Whether it’s demand-side management money to upgrade lighting, HVAC and energy management systems, or load-response efforts that allow facilities to gain credit for curtailing energy use, the initiatives and services listed in this guide can have a bottom-line impact on energy-management efforts.

Alabama

Energy Division, Dept. of Economic and Community Affairs
401 N. Adams Ave.
Box 5690
Montgomery, Ala. 36103
Voice: (334) 242-5292
Fax: (334) 242-0552

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Alabama Power offers real-time pricing to large customers. Several options are available to mitigate the risk associated with the price uncertainty of real-time pricing, including price- protection products and an option where time-of-use pricing is applied only to the months of July and August.

Alabama Power also offers rebates for new energy-efficient electric water heaters and heat-pump water heaters.

The Science Technology and Energy Division in the Department of Economic and Community Affairs offers several Energy Conservation Programs.

The Industrial Energy Advisory Service (IDEA$) provides technical assistance to industry, small business, and institutions to help reduce energy costs and improve efficiency.

 

Alaska

Alaska Energy Authority
813 W. Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Voice: (907) 269-3000
Fax: (907) 269-3044

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency programs available.

Initiatives:
The Alaska Division of Energy provides technical support for energy-saving retrofits, no-cost/low-cost energy-saving measures, and procurement/purchase of high-efficiency products.

The Alaska Energy Authority helps develop alternative energy programs to develop projects that reduce the cost of energy and use locally available energy resources. Current efforts include: biomass fuels, coal and natural gas, conservation, fuel cells and energy storage, hydroelectric and tidal energy and wind-powered projects.

Anchorage Municipal Light and Power offers energy audits to business customers through its Energy Partnership Program.

Chugach Electric Association offers energy audits to commercial customers.

Golden Valley Electric Association offers rebates for lighting efficiency upgrades through their Business $ense program of up to $1,000 per kw saved or 50 percent of project cost.

Rural Alaskans Conserve Energy (RACE) is a state-sponsored program for rural schools and communities to improve efficiency with lighting retrofits. The Alaska Energy Authority also provides assistance for energy-efficiency demonstration projects in rural communities. These typically involve lighting retrofits or the installation of motion sensors.

 

Arizona

Energy Office, Arizona Dept. of Commerce
3800 N. Central Ave., Suite 1500
Phoenix, Ariz. 85012
Voice: (602) 280-1300
Fax: (602) 280-1445

Overview: The state has no commercial or industrial energy-efficiency programs, or any demand-response programs available.

 

Arkansas

Department of Economic Development One Capitol Mall
Little Rock, Ark. 72201
Voice: (501) 682-1121
Fax: (501) 682-2703
www.aedc.state.ar.us/energy

Overview: The state has demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Empire District Electric Co. provides various services and equipment sales to commercial and industrial customers. Industrial customers can qualify for an interruptible power program. The utility also offers a lighting retrofit program, analysis, technical courses and energy-usage and rate-design analysis.

Entergy offers a variety of load-management programs. Market-Valued Call Option Service provides customers with credit for curtailing load when notified by the utility during emergency conditions. Participants receive both a monthly reservation payment, which they receive regardless of whether any curtailments are required, and a performance payment based on the load curtailed. Eligibility is limited to customers with at least 1 mw of curtailable load. Entergy’s market-valued energy service provides customers with credit for curtailing load during high price periods. Customers make day-ahead bids to the utility; the utility will confirm bid acceptance. Eligibility limited to customers with at least 1 mw of curtailable load.

The utility’s Energy Reduction Rider credits customers for curtailing load during emergency conditions. Service available to customers with curtailable demand of at least 150 kw.

Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) offers a Curtailable Service Rider in which customers agree to reduce their load upon notification by the utility, in exchange for a credit of approximately $3 per kw. Eligibility is limited to customers with at least 1 mw of curtailable demand. The utility also offers real-time pricing. SWEPCO provides customers with day-ahead, hourly electricity market prices, and customers are alternatively credited or charged, based on the market price, for usage below or above a predefined customer baseline load.

 

California

California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth St., MS #32
Sacramento, Calif. 95814
Voice: (916) 654-4287
No general fax number
www.consumerenergycenter.org

Overview: California’s tribulations with energy supply during the past several years have resulted in aggressive demand-reduction and rebate programs. There are so many utility and government agency incentives that the California Energy Commission (CEC) maintains a database of available programs. A recent search on the database returned nearly 125 incentives for the commercial/industrial sector.

To find out more about available incentives, visit www.consumerenergycenter.org, the CEC’s incentive listing. Site visitors can search for programs sponsored by a particular utility, by business sector, by program offering, or a combination of the three. Twenty-four separate utilities and government agencies are listed as offering incentives. The site is also searchable via eight separate sectors, including: agriculture, cities/counties, business/commercial, construction, distributors, industrial, manufacturers, residential, Title 24 and water/wastewater industries.

Current incentives on the CEC database are listed for the following products or services: 20/20 energy rebate, air conditioner, audits, battery backups, battery storage systems, base interruptible program, boilers, building and design, commercial construction, customer- directed program, dishwashers, distributed systems, discretionary curtailment program, demand-reduction program, ducts, electric vehicles, energy-efficient mortgage, engines, evaporative cooler, food-service, freezer, fuel cell, furnaces/kilns/ovens, gas, general efficiency, generation, heat pump, house fan, HVAC, insulation, internal combustion generator, irrigation, lawn and garden, LED traffic signals, lighting, load management, microturbine, motors, night covers for display cases, mandatory curtailment program, premium-efficiency relocatable classrooms, photovoltaics, power commissioning, process energy, residential contract program, RD&D showcase grants, refrigerator, renewable, residential construction, roofing, shade screen, solar energy, solar thermal, standard performance contract, solar pool heating system, solar water heating, swimming pool, thermostats, Title 24, toilets, voluntary demand-response program, washer/dryer, water heater, water saving, wind and windows.

 

Colorado

Office of Energy Management and Conservation
225 E. 16th Ave., Suite 650
Denver, Colo. 80203
Voice: (303) 894-2383
Fax: (303) 894-2388

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Public Service Co. of Colorado (PSCO) offers a Lighting Solutions program that includes a site review and proposal for an energy-efficient lighting retrofit, with detailed cost-benefit analysis and retrofit coordination if the project is adopted. PSCO retail customers may be eligible for lighting rebates if a demand reduction of 20 kw or greater can be achieved. Interruptible rates are also available from PSCO. There are several options available, including advance notice, interruptible options for secondary service, limitations on the number and duration of interruptions and the ability to combine firm service with interruptible options on the same meter.

 

Connecticut

Office of Policy and Management
450 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, Conn. 06106
Voice: (860) 418-6200
Fax: (860) 418-6495

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) provides rebates for energy-efficient lighting, available to commercial and industrial customers (C&I) with peak demand less than 350 kw. All C&I customers are eligible to receive rebates for room occupancy sensors. The utility also reimburses the cost of an energy audit and offers the Tailored HVAC Program and the Operations and Maintenance Program, both of which provide half the cost for a study of a facility’s related energy systems. The customer’s 50 percent share will be refunded following installation of the recommended energy-saving measures.

CL&P’s Energy Advantage Program provides turnkey, energy-saving products and services for small business customers with average peak demand between 11 and 100 kw. The utility will pay up to 50 percent of the costs for retrofit lighting measures and up to 100 percent of the costs associated with other eligible cost-effective, energy-efficiency installation services. Energy Advantage offers a zero-percent financing option.

CL&P and United Illuminating (UI) both offer the Request For Proposal Program. It allows customers to compete against other projects for energy-efficiency financial assistance to design and implement custom projects. Projects are awarded under this program on a competitive basis based on level of utility incentive requested, cost effectiveness, project comprehensiveness, environmental benefits and project timing.

The two utilities also offer rebates through a variety of energy-efficiency programs. The Northeast Premium-Efficiency Motors Initiative (MotorUp) provides rebates for premium efficiency motors up to 200 hp. The Cool Choice program provides rebates for high-efficiency air conditioners, air-to-air heat pump systems, water-source heat pump systems, packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps, up to 30 tons cooling capacity.

Connecticut Office of Policy and Management offers a New Energy Technology (NET) program in which customers can receive grant money for installing energy-saving equipment. Grants are limited to $10,000 and are available only to companies with fewer than 15 employees.

Independent System Operator New England Inc. (ISO-NE) is offering two load-response programs. The Demand-Response Program (Class 1) requires participating customers to commit to mandatory energy reductions on 30-minute notice from ISO-NE. Customers in this program receive payments for their ongoing participation in the program, and additional payments for their energy savings. The Price Response Program (Class 2) allows its participating customers to voluntarily reduce energy consumption during certain periods, as determined by ISO-NE. Customers in the Price Response Program only receive payments for the actual energy they curtail.

UI offers the Energy Opportunities Program, which provides free energy audits, co-funded engineering studies, and incentives to customers who retrofit lighting, HVAC and refrigeration. The utility also offers the Energy Blueprint Program, which pays for energy-efficient design upgrades and equipment replacements. The program provides grants for design, incentives for energy-efficient equipment and commissioning, and technical assistance and consulting throughout the project. UI’s Small Business Advantage Program provides cash incentives and interest-free financing for installation of energy-efficiency measures.

 

Delaware

Energy Office, Division of Facilities Management
149 Transportation Circle
Dover, Del. 19901
Voice: (302) 739-5644
Fax: (302) 739-6148

Overview: The state has demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Conectiv offers the Peak Load Management Rider, which provides customers with credit for reducing load when requested by the utility. Two pricing options exist: $2.63 per kw and $4.38 per kw, each corresponding to a different maximum duration and frequency of curtailment periods. Participation limited to customers who can reduce load by at least 100 kw. Metering equipment provided by the utility.

 

Florida

Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and Community Development
State Energy Program
2555 Shumard Oak Blvd.
Tallahassee, Fla. 32399
Voice: (850) 488-2475
Fax: (850) 488-7688

Overview: The state has energy efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Florida Power and Light offers real-time pricing in which participants are alternatively credited or charged, based on the hourly market price of electricity, for usage below or above a predetermined customer baseline load profile.
Florida Power and Light also offers rebates for energy-efficient equipment, including lighting, air conditioning, chillers, thermal storage, insulation and window treatments, and other custom measures. Free business energy evaluations are also offered, providing analysis of facility energy use and recommendations for efficiency improvements.

Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) offers a variety of resources and services, including the Building Design Assistance Center, which provides free design assistance through plan reviews, building energy simulations, development of construction details, and assistance with the selection of appropriate materials and equipment.

Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) offers free energy audits and low-cost detailed engineering evaluations to commercial and industrial customers.

Tampa Electric Co. (TECO) offers a number of load-management programs. The Conservation Value Program provides rebates for equipment that shifts or reduces energy use during peak periods. TECO’s Load Management Program offers customers credits on their bills for allowing Tampa Electric to control operation of air conditioning or specialized equipment during critical energy-use periods. The utility’s Standby Generator Program provides customers with credits on their electric bill for the portion of the normal facility load that can be served by a standby generator during peak-demand periods.

TECO also offers rebates for energy-efficient lighting and air conditioning. TECO offers free basic energy audits and low-cost energy audits to evaluate energy use and opportunities for efficiency improvements.

 

Georgia

Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority
100 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 2090
Atlanta, Ga. 30303
Voice: (404) 656-0938
Fax: (404) 656-6416

Overview: The state has utility energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Georgia Power and Savannah Electric & Power offer real-time pricing rates, including day-ahead and hour-ahead options, plus financing options via the Energy Solutions programs.
 

Hawaii

Energy, Resources, and Technology Division
235 S. Beretania St., Room 506
Honolulu, Hawaii 96804
Voice: (808) 587-3807
Fax: (808) 586-2536

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Hawaiian Electric Co. (HECO) offers rebates through its Energy$olutions program for energy-efficient equipment, including lighting, motors, air-conditioning systems, chillers and custom measures. The utility also offers Enhanced Monitoring Services, which provide an energy profile of a facility’s electrical usage and can be used to evaluate its current operations and facilitate load management activities.

Kauai Electric offers the Energy Wise program, which provides rebates to cover 40 percent of the installation cost for energy-efficient retrofits, including lighting, motors, HVAC systems and energy management systems.

 

Idaho

Idaho Department of Water Resources, Energy Division
1301 N. Orchard St.
Boise, Idaho 83706
Voice: (208) 327-7900
Fax: (208) 327-7866

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency programs and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Avista’s Buy Back of Customer Power program provides credit to customers for voluntarily reducing their demand. Participation is limited to customers with a demand of at least 3,000 kVA, and who can curtail a total of at least 1 mwh during a 24-hour period. The utility also offers the Customer Electric Buy Back Program, which credits customers 5 cents per kwh for reducing energy usage by more than 5 percent from the previous year.

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) uses the Demand Exchange Program, an Internet-based, load-reduction bidding program. Participants are alerted to hourly, one-day, and two-day price signals associated with peak load events and are able to post willingness to participate at a price. Eligibility limited to participants able to curtail/generate at least 1 mw.

The Energy Division of Idaho’s Department of Water Resources Energy Division has an Energy Conservation Loan Program, which provides low-interest loans for energy conservation installations with payback periods of less than 10 years. Eligible measures for non-residential users include insulation, energy-efficient lighting, energy-efficient doors, and retrofitting pumps and motors. Other energy conservation measures may be eligible.

Idaho Power offers the Energy Exchange program, which provides customers with a credit for reducing their load during periods of high wholesale energy prices. Idaho Power will notify customers when a load reduction is needed — either the day-of, day-ahead, or two days ahead — and will indicate the hours that the curtailment is needed and the bid price for each hour of the curtailment period. Customers choosing to participate respond with a pledged load reduction of at least 1 mw. Idaho Power also performs energy audits for business customers; the program is designed to reduce at least 1,000 kw in exchange for bill credits.

Utah Power & Light (PacifiCorp) offers the Energy Exchange program, an Internet-based, voluntary demand-reduction program. PacifiCorp posts a price for each hour that a load reduction is needed and customers may respond by pledging to curtail a specified load. Participants are paid for each hour of curtailment based on the measured load reduction. Eligibility is limited to customers who have exceeded 1 mw within the previous year. PacifiCorp’s Energy FinAnswer provides rebates to industrial and commercial power consumers for energy-efficient equipment, including lighting, motors, and HVAC. The program also incorporates a variety of energy-efficiency services, including facility energy analysis, detailed design assistance, competitive financing, commissioning and savings verification.
 

Illinois

Bureau of Energy and Recycling Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Community Affairs
620 E. Adams
Springfield, Ill. 62701
Voice: (217) 785-2009
Fax: (217) 785-2618

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency programs and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Alliant Energy offers the Performance Contracting Program, which includes project identification, management and financing through energy savings.

Ameren has a Customer Energy Exchange Program that provides credit to commercial and industrial customers for voluntary reduction of usage during peak hours. Credits range from 10 cents to 20 cents per kwh reduced. To qualify for this program, customers must be able to reduce their load by at least 500 kw and must have an interval meter.

The company also offers 10 programs for commercial and industrial facilities. For large customers, a comprehensive analysis of lighting and HVAC usage is available. For all commercial and industrial customers, the company offers wireless metering for facilities, equipment or processes. A compressed air and motor program provide analysis for customers with motors using more than 100 kw of demand. The Exchange Demo allows customers to reduce energy use by 500 kw or more during peak demand in exchange for credits. To qualify, customers need the ability to reduce load by at least 500 kw, plus an interval meter with communications equipment and a fax machine, and a computer with Internet access. Cost of participation ranges from $4 to $21 monthly.

Central Illinois Light Co. offers the Targeted Load Reduction program for customers with on-site generation capacity of at least 250 kw. Participants are paid 25 cents per kwh. To participate, customers must have a data recording meter, dedicated phone line, and must commit to a two-year contract.

Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) offers a variety of load-reduction programs. Contact ComEd to learn more about the Voluntary Load-Reduction program , the Voluntary Load Reduction — Maximum Value program, the Rider 32 — Energy Cooperative program, the Early Advantage program, the Rider 30 program and the Planned Performance Reduction Program. The utility also offers facility energy-efficiency evaluations by ComEd’s engineering team. The team comes to the facility, evaluates the energy systems in use, and makes energy-efficiency recommendations.

The Illinois Bureau of Energy and Recycling oversees the Small Business Energy Program with the aim of providing energy-conservation and energy-efficiency information to Illinois businesses. The program provides financial assistance to a number of small business development centers to expand their marketing, educational and training opportunities to include energy-related educational and technical assistance to Illinois businesses.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) administers state-funded energy initiatives. Recent restructuring provides $3 million of funding for energy-efficiency programs statewide. DCCA also offers the Energy Performance Contracting Program as part of its institutional services for state and local government agencies.

MidAmerican Energy Co.’s EnergyAdvantage® programs are designed to encourage the use of high-efficiency space and water-heating equipment, central air conditioning, lighting and other measures in commercial and industrial buildings.

Alliant, Commonwealth Edison, Illinois Power, Central Illinois Light Co., and MidAmerican Energy all offer real-time pricing programs.

 

Indiana

Energy Policy Division, Indiana Dept. of Commerce
One North Capitol, Suite 700
Indianapolis, Ind. 46204
Voice: (317) 232-8939
Fax: (317) 232-8995

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Cinergy offers the PowerShare Pricing Program, which consists of several options.With the Call Option, customers select a strike price based upon their own estimate of the costs of complying with curtailments. When the day-ahead market prices are projected to be greater than the strike prices, Cinergy can call the option by notifying customers. In exchange for participation, customers receive a guaranteed premium plus an additional energy credit whenever they are called.

The Quote Option program is a day-of curtailment program. Cinergy provides price quotes and interested customers must respond with an estimate of voluntary load reduction within one hour. Cinergy also offers a real-time pricing pilot program. The utility also provides cash incentives to commercial and industrial customers for the purchase and installation of high-efficiency lighting, motors and cooling systems. Eligibility is limited to customers with a demand of less than 500 kw.

The Energy Policy Division (EPD) of the Indiana Department of Commerce has grants, 0-percent loans and incentives available.

Industrial Programs: The Industrial Energy Efficiency Fund (IEEF) is a loan program that helps Indiana businesses increase the energy efficiency of their manufacturing process. Awarded on a quarterly basis, these 0 percent loans are available for the acquisition and installation of energy-efficient equipment.

The Industrial Energy Efficiency Audit (IEEA) grant is a part of the Small Business Energy Initiative. Companies seeking to reduce energy costs may apply for a grant of up to $5,000 to offset the cost of an energy audit. Company matching funds are required.

Energy Research Programs: Indiana Biomass Grant Program assists in the research and implementation of Indiana biomass energy systems. Eligibility for this program is limited to individuals, businesses, universities or institutions that operate in the state of Indiana.

Public Facility Energy Efficiency Program Loans: A school corporation, political subdivision or public library seeking to reduce energy costs may apply for a loan of up to $100,000 to help identify and/or implement energy-efficiency measures. Loans are available at 0 percent interest, and no matching funds are required.

Alternative Energy Systems Grant: This grant program contributes to the improvement of the environment, reduction of dependence on foreign oil and the use of renewable resources. Alternative Energy grants are available in both transportation and non-transportation applications. Maximum grant amounts are $10,000, and matching fund requirements vary.

Indiana-Michigan Power Co. offers Price Curtailable Service to customers who can curtail 1 mva or more. The customer determines the minimum price per kwh at which they would be willing to curtail, the maximum curtailment duration, and the maximum number of curtailment events per year. When notified by the utility, the customer is required to curtail. Payment is based on the actual curtailed load.

Northern Indiana Public Services Co. (NIPSCO) offers free lighting audits.

 

Iowa

Energy Bureau, Energy and Geological Resources Division
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Wallace State Office Building
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Voice: (515) 281.8681
Fax: (515) 281-6794

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Alliant Energy offers several load-reduction programs. In the Market-Based Load Curtailment program, the utility notifies participants with an offer to curtail load, indicating the curtailment hours and a price quote. Acceptance of curtailment offers is voluntary. Two versions of this program are available: day-ahead and day-of, each with different periods of advance notification and price quotes. To participate, customers must be able to curtail 500 kw or more.

As part of Alliant’s Temporary Emergency Load-Curtailment program, participants agree to curtail at least 200 kw when called upon. In exchange, participants receive payment of 40 cents per kwh curtailed, in addition to payments of $50 per month and $50 per curtailment event. The utility also offers a Performance Contracting Program to commercial and industrial customers. Project identification, management and financing of energy-efficiency projects is handled by Alliant and the customer repays the project costs through the energy savings on the utility bill.

Alliant Energy also offers rebates for energy-efficient equipment, including lighting, adjustable-speed motor drives and HVAC equipment.

Iowa Energy Bank program is a fund that provides energy audits, engineering studies, and financing for energy-efficiency improvements; the Bank uses cost savings to repay financing for system improvements.

MidAmerican Energy offers a load-curtailment program in which customers agree to reduce their demand to a level at least 250 kw below their expected load, upon notification. In exchange, participants receive an annual payment of either $36.55 or $32.98 per kw of curtailable load.

The company also offers a family of EnergyAdvantage programs.

Commercial Lighting Program: provides rebates and loans for high-efficiency lighting.
Commercial/Industrial Heating and Cooling Program: provides rebates and low interest loans for high-efficiency natural gas and water-heating equipment and electric heating and cooling equipment.

Customized Building Systems Program: provides rebates or financing for large space heating and cooling systems and control systems not addressed in other EnergyAdvantage programs, such as variable-air-volume conversions, energy-management systems and thermal energy storage.

Early Exchange Program: provides additional incentives to encourage customers to replace older HVAC equipment with new, high-efficiency equipment. The incentives include reimbursement for the cost of an energy analysis and payment based on the kwh savings.

New Construction Program: provides incentives to help offset the initial cost of design and installation for energy-efficient options in new commercial buildings. The incentive is paid to the building owner based upon the kwh savings modeled and verified as installed by the independent modeler. A minimum energy savings of 15 percent is required to qualify. Incentives range from 5 to 14 cents per kwh.

EnergyAdvantage Analysis program: provides reimbursement for 50 percent of the cost of an energy analysis up front, and the remaining 50 percent upon completion of the recommended energy-efficiency measures.

Additionally, MidAmerican offers financing and rebates for thermal storage systems through its Customized Building Systems program.

Peoples Natural Gas (PNG) offers rebates for commercial customers to replace standard natural gas equipment with energy-efficient systems.

The State of Iowa Facilities Improvement Corporation (SIFIC) is a nonprofit corporation that helps state agencies implement energy-efficiency improvements.

 

Kansas

Kansas Corporation Commission
1500 SW Arrowhead Road
Topeka, Kan. 66604
Voice: (785) 271-3100
Fax: (785) 271-3354

Overview: The state has demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Empire District Electric Co. offers services and equipment sales to commercial and industrial customers. Industrial customers can qualify to participate in an interruptible power program. The utility also offers a lighting retrofit program, analysis, technical courses and energy-usage and rate-design analysis.

Kansas City Power & Light (KCPL) offers load-management programs:

Peak Load Curtailment Credit (PLCC): provides customers with credit for reducing their load upon notification during periods of peak demand. Customers receive a credit of $10 per kw per month for their curtailable load, regardless of whether any curtailment requests are made. Eligibility limited to customers with at least 200 kw curtailable load.

Voluntary Load Reduction Program: provides customers with credit for reducing load during peak periods. KCPL will make requests each time load curtailment is needed, indicating the credit ($/kwh) offered. Interested customers may respond with a commitment to curtail. Eligibility limited to customers with at least 100 kw curtailable load.

Real Time Pricing: allows participants to be alternatively credited or charged based on the day-ahead energy prices for electricity below or above a predetermined customer baseline load.

West Plains Energy (Utilicorp United) offers the Voluntary Load-Reduction Rider, which credits participants for reducing demand during peak periods. The utility contacts customers each time a load reduction is needed, indicating the load-curtailment credit ($/kwh). Interested participants may respond by committing to curtail a specific amount. Eligibility limited to customers with at least 500 kw peak demand.

 

Kentucky

Division of Energy
663 Teton Trail
Frankfort, Ky. 40601
Voice: (502) 564-7192
Fax: (502) 564-7484

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
American Electric Power (AEP) offers two load-management programs:

Emergency Curtailable Service Rider: provides credit, based on curtailed energy use, for reducing load when requested by the utility during emergency conditions.

The Price Curtailable Service Rider: provides credit, based on curtailed energy use, for reducing load when requested by the utility during high price periods. The participant specifies the minimum price as well as the maximum number of days they would be willing to curtail. For both programs, customers must curtail upon notification or be assessed non-performance penalties. Participation limited to customers with a curtailable demand of at least 1 mw.

Cinergy/Union Light Heat and Power offers several load-curtailment options. For the Call Option, customers select a strike price based upon their own estimate of the costs of complying with curtailments. When the day-ahead market prices are projected to be greater than the strike prices, Cinergy can call the option by notifying customers. In exchange for participation, customers receive a guaranteed premium plus an additional energy credit whenever they are called. The Quote Option is a day-of program. Cinergy provides price quotes; interested customers respond with an estimate of the load reduction they will make.

Cinergy/Union Light Heat and Power also offers real-time pricing through the PathWise program, in which participants are alternatively credited or charged, based on the current wholesale prices, for electricity below or above a predetermined customer baseline load.

Kentucky Division of Energy administers a small grant program for Kentucky companies to install technologies that use biomass for energy. Proposals must be submitted to the Southeastern Regional Biomass Energy Program, which is funded by the U.S Department of Energy. They will be competing against other proposals from the southeast region.

Kentucky Utilities Co. (KU) and Louisville Gas and Electric Co. (LG&E) offer the Experimental Load-Reduction Incentive Rider, which provides participants with payment of up to 30 cents per kwh for voluntarily operating standby generation at the request of the utility. To be eligible, the generation must be at least 500 kw and must be on an isolated circuit.

Louisville Gas and Electric also offers free energy audits to commercial and industrial customers.
 

Louisiana

Technology Assessment Division and Energy Section
625 N. 4th St.
P.O. Box 94396
Baton Rouge, La. 94396
Voice: (225) 342-1399
Fax: (225) 342-1397

Overview: The state has demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Central Louisiana Electric Co. (CLECO) provides the Experimental Scheduled Real-Time Market Pricing Service in which participants are alternatively credited or charged, based on the hourly market price of electricity, for usage below or above a predefined customer baseline load.

Entergy offers a variety of load-management programs. The Market-Valued Call Option Service provides customers with credit for curtailing load when notified by the utility during emergency conditions. Participants receive both a monthly reservation payment, which they receive regardless of whether any curtailments are required, and a performance payment based on the load curtailed. Eligibility limited to customers with at least 1 mw of curtailable load. Entergy’s market-valued energy service provides customers with credit for curtailing load during high price periods. Customers make day-ahead bids to the utility, and the utility will confirm if the bid is accepted. Eligibility limited to customers with at least 1 mw of curtailable load.

The utility’s Energy Reduction Rider provides customers with credit for curtailing load during emergency conditions. Service is available to customers with a curtailable demand of at least 150 kw.

Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) offers real-time pricing through its MarketChoice program. SWEPCO provides customers with day-ahead hourly electricity market prices, and customers are alternatively credited or charged, based on the market price, for usage below or above a pre-defined Customer Baseline Load.

 

Maine

State Planning Office
State House Station, No. 38
184 State St.
Augusta, Maine 04333
Voice: (207) 287-1479
Fax: (207) 287-6489

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency programs and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Bangor Hydro has a Commercial Lighting Incentive Program (CLIP), which provides rebates for energy-efficient lighting and room occupancy sensors.

Central Maine Power Co. sponsors the Maine-Made Incentive for manufacturing, agricultural, construction, forestry, fishing or mining facilities. This incentive provides 5 cents per kwh of projected annual savings for energy-efficient retrofits or new construction projects. The total incentive is limited to 25 percent of the project cost, and participation in the program is limited to commercial and industrial customers whose maximum demand is below 1,000 kw. The utility also offers the Building System Diagnostics service, which provides a customized, comprehensive assessment of a facility’s HVAC systems free of charge.

The Independent System Operator New England Inc. (ISO-NE) offers the Load-Response Program through which energy market participants belonging to New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) can enter into agreements with retail customers to reduce electricity consumption during periods of peak demand. ISO-NE is offering two programs:

The Demand-Response Program (Class 1) requires participating customers to commit to mandatory energy reductions on 30-minute notice from ISO-NE. Customers in the Demand-Response Program receive payments for their ongoing participation and additional payments for the actual energy they saved.

The Price-Response Program (Class 2) allows its participating customers to voluntarily reduce energy consumption during certain periods as determined by ISO-NE. Customers in the Price-Response Program only receive payments for the actual energy they curtail.

 

Maryland

Maryland Energy Administration
1623 Forest Dr., Suite 300
Annapolis, Md. 21403
Voice: (410) 260-7511
Fax: (410) 974-2875

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency programs and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) offers a Voluntary Curtailable Program. A customer must have at least 500 kw of load available for curtailment or 100 kw of self-generation at each site to qualify for the program. The utility also offers energy audits and offers financing options for energy-efficient improvements.

Conectiv Solutions offers energy efficiency services that include energy audits, lighting retrofits, HVAC and motor systems, and energy-management strategies.

Conectiv Thermal Systems offers flexible long-term financing for meeting the thermal energy requirements of commercial and industrial customers.

Potomac Electric Power Co. (PEPCO) Energy Services, the utility’s unregulated affiliate, offers a range of services including energy audits and financing for energy-efficient equipment purchase.

PEPCO also offers special rate schedules for cogeneration and thermal energy storage to their non-residential customers whose maximum 30-minute demand is less than 25 kw.

 

Massachusetts

Division of Energy Resources
70 Franklin St., 7th Floor
Boston, Mass. 02110
Voice: (617) 727-4732
Fax: (617) 727-0030

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency programs and demand-response programs. The Rebuild Boston Energy Initiative has been established to address energy and water management needs in Boston, providing technical assistance, project management, and project financing coordination for energy-efficiency improvements.

Initiatives:
The Independent System Operator New England Inc. (ISO-NE) is offering the Load Response Program, through which retail customers to reduce electricity consumption during periods of peak demand. ISO-NE is offering two programs:

The Demand Response Program (Class 1) requires participating customers to commit to mandatory energy reductions on 30-minute notice from ISO-NE. Customers in the Demand-Response Program receive payments for their ongoing participation and additional payments for the actual energy they saved.

The Price Response Program (Class 2) allows its participating customers to voluntarily reduce energy consumption during certain periods as determined by ISO-NE. Customers in the Price-Response Program only receive payments for the actual energy they curtail.

Massachusetts Electric and Nantucket Electric offer a variety of energy-efficiency services through their Design 2000plus and Energy Initiative programs, including rebates for energy-efficient lighting, VSDs, HVAC equipment and other custom measures. The two utilities also provide technical assistance in identifying, implementing, and evaluating energy-efficiency opportunities for new construction, renovations and equipment replacement. Competitive financing of energy-efficient equipment and building commissioning are further services offered by the two companies.

NStar offers energy-efficiency programs and services that include:

New Construction Program: provides all commercial and industrial customers up to 100 percent of the incremental costs between standard equipment and high-efficiency equipment for new construction projects, remodeling, renovations or replacement of failed electrical or mechanical equipment.

Retrofit Program: provides medium and large commercial and industrial customers up to 75 percent of total project costs when retrofitting existing electrical or mechanical equipment.

Small Commercial and Industrial Retrofit Program: offers small commercial and industrial electric customers up to 80 percent of the total project costs when replacing existing electrical or mechanical equipment. This program includes an economic development component that offers a 100 percent total project costs incentive to customers within designated economically challenged areas.

Recommissioning services: available to re-evaluate and upgrade existing heating/cooling or lighting equipment in electric customers’ facilities.

Western Massachusetts Electric Co. (WMECO) offers a variety of programs and services, including:

Rebates: available for energy-efficient lighting improvements made by commercial and industrial (C&I) customers with peak demand less than 350 kw. All C&I customers are eligible to receive rebates for room occupancy sensors. Reimbursement for the cost of an energy audit or a focused study of a specific system or equipment.

Request For Proposal Program: allows customers to create their own solution or partner with an energy-efficiency consultant and then compete against other projects for financial assistance to design and implement custom-tailored projects. Eligibility limited to customers with peak demand greater than 350 kw and at least 100,000 kwh of projected annual savings.

Energy Advantage Program: provides turnkey, energy-saving products and services for small business customers with average peak demand between 11 and 100 kw. WMECO will pay up to 50 percent of the costs for retrofit lighting measures and up to 100 percent of the costs associated with other eligible cost-effective, energy-efficiency installation services. Energy Advantage offers a 0 percent financing option.

Tailored HVAC Program and the Operations and Maintenance Program: provides half of the cost of a study of a facility’s related systems. The customer’s 50 percent share will be refunded following installation of recommended energy-saving measures.

Energy Conscious Construction Program: reimburses customers for the incremental difference between standard and energy-efficient equipment, installed in new construction projects or major renovations.

Massachusetts Electric, NStar, Western Massachusetts Electric, Fitchburg Gas & Electric, and Nantucket Electric each sponsor regional rebate programs including the following two:

The Northeast Premium-Efficiency Motors Initiative (MotorUp) provides rebates for premium efficiency motors up to 200 hp.

Cool Choice provides rebates for high-efficiency air conditioners, air-to-air heat pump systems, water-source heat pump systems, packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps, up to 30 tons cooling capacity.

 

Michigan

Energy Office
6545 Mercantile Way
P.O. Box 30221
Lansing, Mich. 48909
Voice: (517) 241-6228
Fax: (517) 241-6229

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Detroit Edison has an interruptible space-conditioning provision in its rates for commercial space conditioning use. Detroit Edison also has the LightWise Program, which provides lighting audits as well as installation and financing of efficient lighting. The company also offers specialized services for Federal facilities, including facility energy audits and project development.

Indiana Michigan Power Co. (AEP) offers Price Curtailable Service to customers who can curtail 1 mw or more. The customer determines the minimum price per kwh at which they would be willing to curtail, the maximum curtailment duration, and the maximum number of curtailment events per year. When notified by the utility, the customer is required to curtail. Payment based on the curtailed load.

Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services, Energy Division, offers free energy analyses of small commercial buildings. Commercial establishments that have between 5 and 50 employees, pay their own electric and fuel bills and have lighting and/or heating/cooling equipment that is 5 years or older qualify for this service.

 

Minnesota

Energy Division
Minnesota Department of Commerce
85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St. Paul, Minn. 55101
Voice: (651) 297-2545
Fax: (651) 282-2568

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Alliant Energy offers its Performance Contracting Program, which includes project identification, management and financing through energy savings.

Minnegasco offers several rebate programs. The Natural Gas Heating System Rebate helps to offset the cost of (1) installing a new natural gas heating system, (2) adding efficiency enhancements to natural gas systems or (3) having a boiler tuneup. Minnegasco also offers free energy audits to help identify energy-efficiency opportunities.

Minnesota Power (MP) offers its commercial and industrial customers energy audits at no charge for audits costing less than $1,200. Costs beyond that will be shared 50/50 with the customer up to $2,400 maximum. MP also offers grants and rebates through the PowerGrant program.

Northern States Power (NSP/Xcel Energy) offers a variety of energy-efficiency programs.

Rebates are available for a number of eligible high-efficiency technologies, including lighting, motors, cooling systems, and boilers.

Two types of low-cost energy analysis services are available, including energy audits, and detailed engineering assistance studies.

For new construction and renovation projects that incorporate energy-efficient equipment and design, NSP/Xcel provides incentives based on peak kw savings, reimbursement for the incremental design cost due to including energy-efficient options, computer modeling and performance verification.

NSP also has a Saver’s Switch program, which uses a radio-activated device Xcel installs on outside air conditioning units. On summer days when Xcel experiences peak demand, Saver’s Switch automatically controls air conditioners, reducing the demand for electricity. In exchange for participation, customers receive a discount on their electricity bill for the months of June through September.

Otter Tail Power Co. offers the Released Energy Access Program. When Otter Tail expects peak conditions and high energy prices, it will alert program participants by e-mail of the price offered for released energy. Customers that wish to take the offer reply by making their commitment to curtail a specific amount of power at the required time.

Otter Tail also offers rebates for a number of energy-efficient technologies, including lighting, motors and heat pumps. Grants for these and other technologies are also available through the Commercial and Industrial Grant Program. Otter Tail also offers several financing options for energy-efficiency projects, and real-time pricing.

Both Northern Minnesota Utilities and Peoples Natural Gas will arrange, for a $50 fee, a comprehensive walk-through energy audit for commercial and business customers. Both utilities also offer rebates for replacing standard heating equipment with high-efficiency systems.

 

Mississippi

Mississippi Energy Division Mississippi Development Authority
P.O. Box 850
510 George St., Suite 300
Jackson, Miss. 39205
Voice: (601)359-6600
Fax: (601) 359-6642

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency programs.

Initiatives:
Mississippi Power offers customized energy-related services, including a variety of financing options, through its Energy Solutions program.

 

Missouri

Energy Center, Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 176
169A E. Elm St.
Jefferson City, Mo. 65102
Voice: (573) 751-4000
Fax: (573) 751-6860

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Ameren offers Abacus, a wireless metering information system that tracks energy use by process, facility or equipment and provides access to the information through the Internet.

Ameren Corp.’s Customer Energy Exchange allows customers to reduce energy use by 500 kw or more during peak demand in exchange for credits. To qualify, customers need the ability to reduce load by at least 500 kw, an interval meter with communications equipment a fax machine and a computer with Internet access. Customers can view day-ahead prices and then decide whether to participate. The company will also analyze compressed-air and motor systems that use 100 kw or more. For large customers, a comprehensive analysis of lighting and HVAC usage is available.

Empire District Electric Co. allows industrial customers to participate in an interruptible power program. It also offers a lighting retrofit program, analysis, technical courses and energy-usage and rate-design analysis.

Entergy offers Web-based energy analysis for commercial and industrial customers that allows review of load data, and analysis of energy use of single or multiple locations. Market-based, load-management programs are used in place of interruptible service rates.

Kansas City Power & Light offers a peak-load curtailment program in which customers agree to reduce their load by at least 200 kw less than their peak demand each time a curtailment request is made by the utility. In exchange, customers receive a credit of $10 per kw per month for their curtailable load, regardless of whether any curtailment requests are made, from May 16 through September 15. The utility also offers real-time pricing, allowing commercial customers to buy their electricity at marginal cost-based prices, shift usage to lower-cost periods, or reduce their load to avoid expensive periods. A voluntary load-reduction program is open to customers with a minimum peak demand of 100 kw.

Missouri Public Service and St. Joseph Light and Power offer voluntary load-reduction programs. The utilities make offers to purchase load curtailments from customers.

Utilicorp offers energy audits, energy rebates and discount programs. It also offers customized rebates and energy audits for commercial customers, along with online energy efficiency information. Its curtailment program is available to customers with peak demands greater than 500 kw.

 

Montana

Planning, Prevention, and Assistance Division, Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 200901
1520 East 6th Ave.
Helena, Mont. 59620-0901
Voice: (406) 444-6754
Fax: (406) 444-6836

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) offers the Demand Exchange Program, an Internet-based, load-reduction bidding program. Participants are alerted to hourly, one-day, and two-day price signals associated with peak-load events and are able to post their willingness to participate at a price. Eligibility is limited to participants able to curtail and/or generate at least 1 mw.

Black Hills Power offers a Business Enhancement Program to assist customers in the use of energy-efficient electro-technologies, such as energy storage and lighting.

Lighting: Existing commercial customers who retrofit their indoor lighting systems are eligible for up to a $5,000 incentive if they sign a three-year electric power service contract. Without a contract, the maximum incentive is $500. Incentives are based on 12 cents per watt saved for hardwire installations and 4 cents per watt saved for compact fluorescent lamps.

Power Factor Correction: Reduced demand charges are the primary incentive for commercial and industrial customers to improve their power factor. The company provides an account analysis, rate savings calculations and project financing. A three-year electric power service contract for certain projects is required.

Custom Packages: There are other electro-technologies that may qualify for an economic development incentive, including water loop heat pumps, geothermal loop fields, heating or air-conditioning systems, water heating systems, power quality equipment and energy management systems. Financing, project design assistance or an economic development rate may also be granted. Requires a three,- five- or seven-year contract for electric service.

Montana-Dakota Utility allows net metering, an arrangement in which any surplus energy generated by the customer’s system goes back on the utility electric system. The customer receives credit for the electricity put back on the system at retail rates.

Montana Power offers a Commercial Lighting Rebate program for the installation of efficient lights; a Business Partners program to provide funding for load-management and conservation projects in new and retrofit applications; a Commercial Energy Appraisals program for businesses with a peak demand of 50 kw or less; and net metering for renewable installation of 50 kw or less. Net metering is an arrangement in which any surplus energy generated by the customer’s system goes back to the utility electric system and allows the customer to receive credit for the electricity put back on the system at retail rates.

State Buildings Energy Conservation Bond is designed to finance energy improvement projects on state-owned buildings. The program uses bond proceeds to fund the projects and energy savings to repay the bonds.

 

Nebraska

Nebraska State Energy Office
P.O. Box 95085
1111 “O” St., Suite 223
Lincoln, Neb. 68509
Voice: (402) 471-2867
Fax: (402) 471-3064

Overview: This state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
Lincoln Electric System (LES) offers several free services, including energy-efficiency reviews where an energy specialist conducts an energy audit to identify and analyze energy savings opportunities. LES also offers the Power Purchase Program, which provides payment to customers for reducing demand during summer peak conditions. Eligibility limited to customers with at least 100 kw of load curtailment available.

The Nebraska State Energy Office offers loans statewide to fund energy-using system improvements. The interest rate is 5 percent, but can be adjusted semiannually. The total amount that can be borrowed is: multi-family buildings, $75,000; Nebraska businesses and non-profits $100,000; and government buildings, $175,000.

A borrower may finance less than 100 percent of the cost of the improvements. Loans can only be made for the cost of goods and services, not for labor provided by the borrower. The only fees a participating lender may charge are out-of-pocket expenses, a physical inspection fee of up to $50, a loan documentation fee to cover indirect or overhead costs up to $50, and a 2 percent origination fee if the term of the loan is for the maximum length of time — 10 years for building and system improvements and the simple payback period for projects requiring an audit.

Building Envelope improvements that qualify include: adding weatherstrip and/or threshold to doors, installing storm doors, replacing glass doors with energy-efficient glass doors, replacing solid-core doors with energy-efficient solid core doors, adding weatherstrip to windows; replacing missing or broken glass or window sash, replacing a window opening with an insulated panel or solid wall, applying reflective window film, installing storm windows, replacing windows, adding insulation and repairing roof or vents, adding insulation to frame or masonry walls, adding new siding and insulating floors over unheated spaces.

HVAC improvements that qualify include: forced-air natural gas furnaces rated at 90 AFUE or higher, air-source heat pumps rated at 7.8 HSFP or higher, groundwater- or ground-coupled heat pumps rated at 3.0 COP or higher, steam or hot water boilers rated at 83.0 AFUE or higher, gas radiant heating systems, the installation of an automatic flue or vent damper, the installation of an intermittent ignition device, replacing the burner in a furnace or boiler, central air conditioners rated at 12.00 SEER or higher, air conditioners larger than 5.4 tons rated at 10.0 IPLV or higher, air-source heat pumps rated at 12.00 SEER or higher, ground water- or ground-coupled heat pumps rated at 13.0 EER or higher, and unitary or room heat pumps rated at 10.0 EER or higher and 3.0 COP or higher.

Lighting improvements that qualify include: Total wattage of the new lighting system must be at least 15 percent less than the system being replaced. Technologies that qualify are: compact fluorescent lamps, full-sized fluorescent lamps (must be T-8 or smaller diameter), high-intensity discharge lamps, LED exit signs, lighting controls (photocell, motion sensor or timeclock controls) and conversion of gas lights to electric.

Water Heater improvements that qualify include: gas storage water heaters with a minimum efficiency rating of 0.60, electric storage water heaters with a minimum efficiency rating of 0.91, heat pump water heaters with a minimum efficiency rating of 2.2, desuperheater water heaters, tankless water heaters, the installation of an insulation blanket on water heaters and pipes and the installation of hot water flow restrictors.

Omaha Public Power District offers performance contracting services, providing complete turnkey energy-efficiency projects.

 

Nevada

Nevada Energy Office, Department of Business and Industry
727 Fairview Drive, Suite F
Carson City, Nev. 89701
Voice: (775) 687-5975
Fax: (775) 687-4914

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs

Initiatives:
Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power offer a voluntary curtailment program for customers with at least 1 mw of load who can reduce loads by more than 500 kw. Credits are based on a percentage of the market price for electricity. Credits are calculated monthly and applied to bills.

The utilities also offer the Take Control Lighting Program to commercial and industrial customers. The following requirements must be met to participate in the rebate program:

The following electronic ballast requirements must be met for linear fluorescent lamps:

The utilities also offer a Custom Incentive Program for commercial and industrial customers. This program allows an incentive to be paid to customers who retrofit existing equipment in their facilities to a more efficient system, based on the following guidelines:
 

New Hampshire

Governor’s Office of Energy & Community Services
57 Regional Drive
Concord, N.H. 03301
Voice: (603) 271-2611
Fax: (603) 271-2615

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
ISO New England (ISO-NE) sponsors load-response programs for business customers able to interrupt a minimum of 100 kw of electric load.

Demand-Response Program customers must be available to interrupt by a committed amount within 30 minutes of being notified by ISO-NE on all non-holiday weekdays between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Customers will only be called upon after a contingency loss or following the OP4 action for voltage reductions as 10-minute reserve. If called, interruptions will normally not exceed two hours. Customers will receive a credit each month based on the 30 Minute Operating Reserve clearing price and their committed kw reduction amount. When an interruption is called and the customer performs, they will receive additional payment based on the actual energy clearing price and the actual load reduction for the hours of interruption.

The Price Response Program allows for voluntary load reductions based on customer’s response to real-time market prices. Customers will receive payments based on the actual energy clearing price for any committed and performed interruptions between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on any non-holiday weekday during which the ISO-NE forecasts an Energy Clearing Price of $100 per mwh or greater in a given day and sends notification via the Internet.

Public Service of New Hampshire’s HEATSMART provides discounted rates to small business customers with electric space heating, water heating or heat pumps, in exchange for the ability to interrupt the heating for periods of up to 4 hours.

Granite State Electric Co.’s Design 2000plus and Energy Initiative programs provide financial incentives and technical assistance to optimize energy efficiency in new construction, renovation or remodeling projects. The programs provide rebates for installation of the following equipment:
 

Public Service of New Hampshire also offers rebates and incentives for the installation of energy efficient lighting systems, HVAC components and variable speed drives.

 

New Jersey

Division of Energy, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
2 Gateway Center
Newark, N.J. 07102
Voice: (973) 648-3717
Fax: (973) 648-7420

Overview: The state has energy-efficiency and demand-response programs.

Initiatives:
The PJM Independent System Operator (ISO) oversees the Emergency Load-Response and Economic Load-Response programs targeted to power generators. Retail electricity customers can participate through their service providers.

Public Service Electric & Gas Co.’s Hourly Energy Pricing Service is available for customers that have metered electricity demand above 40 mw and can reduce their load by 66 percent within 30 minutes.

Jersey Central Power & Light Co. has a thermal storage program, which offers rebates for installing thermal energy storage systems. The rebate schedules are based on kw reduced. It also offers a load profile service that customers can use to monitor their electricity demand in real time and identify energy cost savings opportunities.

The state’s Division of Energy offers various programs and services, some of which are administered through utilities, to help facilities take advantage of high-efficiency gas and electric equipment. The state has outlined three paths within its Core Program:

Prescriptive Path: Customers receive financial incentives for installing pre-qualified energy-efficient equipment.

Custom Path: Customers request technical assistance and receive an incentive to qualify and purchase energy-efficient equipment not on the prescriptive list. Any customer that installs a qualifying set of measures receives a 10 percent bonus.

Comprehensive Building Design Path: The customer, the design team and the utility representatives work together from the conceptual design stage of a new construction or substantial renovation project to consider design and equipment options to improve the overall efficiency of a building. Customers receive technical assistance in defining and costing efficiency options, as well as reimbursement to the customer’s own design team for additional design work or analysis necessary to accommodate program recommendations. Each customer’s financial incentive is calculated and awarded based on an analysis of the entire project design and the interaction of the various energy-consuming systems in the building.

Customers participating in the Core Program may receive additional services, including: