December 2, 2008
In a plan endorsed by the commonwealth’s leading business, environmental and low-income consumer groups, NSTAR is proposing to expand its energy efficiency programs by nearly 50 percent in the coming year.
The company is the first utility to file its expanded 2009 energy efficiency proposal in direct response to the Green Communities Act and Governor Deval Patrick’s call for increased conservation in Massachusetts. If approved by the Department of Public Utilities, funding for new and existing programs available to NSTAR customers will increase to $74 million next year.
“Our customers have clearly indicated their willingness to take the steps necessary to cut energy usage in their homes and businesses,” said Tom May, NSTAR Chairman, President and CEO. “The ability to expand the reach of our programs next year is crucial to our goal of providing efficiency services to the increasing number of customers who want them.”
The company recognized that given the state of the economy, programs which offer financing options to help customers afford to make energy efficiency upgrades are critical in the coming year. In addition to expanding the HEAT loan, NSTAR also proposes increased funding for lighting rebates, as well as the popular home audit program, including a significant increase in insulation rebates.
Additionally, services will expand for NSTAR’s low-income customers and small businesses. The filing also includes plans for a new pilot program with combined heat and power for commercial customers as well as funding to help identify potential locations for solar power facilities.
The filing had a number of supporting signatories including the Conservation Law Foundation, the Low-Income Energy Affordability Network and the Associated Industries of Massachusetts.
“NSTAR is accepting the challenge of the Green Communities Act and encouraging energy efficiency in new areas, such as combined heat and power, which will bring energy savings and system reductions to many C&I customers who have not been able to take advantage of other programs in the past,” said Bob Rio, Senior Vice President of AIM.
“NSTAR’s 2009 Energy Efficiency Plan is the first plan filed since the passage of the groundbreaking Green Communities Act. It outlines the first steps towards achieving much needed growth in energy efficiency and conservation measures,” said Shanna Cleveland, staff attorney with the Conservation Law Foundation. “Continued progress towards full integration of conservation measures - especially demand response programs - will be necessary to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing electricity rates.”
NSTAR is the largest Massachusetts-based, investor-owned electric and gas utility. The company transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.4 million customers in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, including more than one million electric customers in 81 communities and 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities.
