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Overview

Scratching your head about how to fill out DSM information for EIA-861? You’re not the only one! Your public power peers and EIA experts have developed the resources on this page to answer your questions and help you avoid common mistakes on this often-confusing form.

A constant challenge for electric utilities is to ensure compliance with air pollution regulations. The federal Clean Air Act (CAA) and state law impose significant and often costly pollution abatement requirements. States (and certain Indian tribes) are required to establish State (or Tribal) Implementation Plans (SIPs) that show how states with dirty air will meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and lead.

“Smart” electric meters that measure real time power consumption have the potential to spur significant energy efficiency savings for consumers via real time feedback and price incentives. Utilities benefit from reduced maintenance costs, improved real time pricing structures, and improved capacity to manage peak demand. However, the road to widespread smart meter adoption has been a rocky one.

Interesting news item today from the Associated Press (AP). We spotted it on Energy Central. Under the headline, "Shocker," the story reports: Utility executives have been aware that the rate of demand growth is slowing, but a more dramatic shift than they expected may be under way. Executives were particularly surprised by a dip (in electricity use) during the first three months of this year, the most recent national quarterly numbers available.

Back in March, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards to limit hazardous air pollutant emissions from all coal- and oil-fired power plants. A panel discussion on the Mercury and Air Toxics Rule examining its reliability, affordability and impact on health, the economy and job markets was held by Center for American Progress on June 21, 2011 in Washington, DC. Presenters included:

SMUD won the Multifamily Award for helping the low-income senior residents of a retirement community save energy and money.

The U.S. industrial sector accounts for approximately one-third of U.S. energy consumption. For utilities, industrial customers represent a major opportunity to capture energy savings and reduce peak demand. However, participation by industrial customers in demand-side management programs has lagged behind other sectors due to the challenges of tailoring programs to address the diversity of processes and equipment in industrial facilities.

I can’t wait for the Clean Energy Ambassadors next free Webinar, New Light Bulb Standards—Controversy or Opportunity?! It’s going to be June 21 at noon Central time; 11 am Mountain Time. (Click here to register.) We decided to look into lighting after the mundane, 100-watt incandescent lamp found itself in the national spotlight this spring.

Energy utility commissioners and energy efficiency leaders in the Northeast and Mid- Atlantic regions have agreed to implement a common set of statewide guidelines for reporting energy efficiency savings and associated costs, emissions and job impacts.

American consumers strongly support energy efficient lighting and welcome the transition away from traditional incandescent bulbs, according to the results of a recent survey. In their 10th EcoPinion survey published in March, EcoAlign asked 1,000 American consumers what they thought about the technological changes and higher efficiency standards that are driving the transformation of the residential lighting market.

Last fall, the American Public Power Association (APPA) distributed a survey to its members requesting information on their energy efficiency (EE) and demand-side management (DSM) programs. While APPA analysts found some changes to the responses they received from a similar survey completed in 2008, overall the trends stayed consistent - energy efficiency is an essential element in a utilities' portfolio and an important customer service.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed two rules for regulating air pollutants that will affect public power utilities. The Transport Rule is slated to go into effect in 2012 and the Utility Maximum Available Control Technology Rule (MACT) is undergoing a 15 month discussion period.