August 19, 2008
In its first official step to implement the Green
Communities Act, NSTAR Electric & Gas has filed a plan
to expand its energy efficiency programs that are aimed
at helping residential heating customers in time for the
upcoming winter season. In collaboration with the
Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities and the
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, NSTAR is
proposing increased funding for programs that help
customers take control of their heating costs, such as
the High Efficiency Heating Rebate program and the
Weatherization program.
“High fuel costs continue to make headlines everyday and
our customers are looking to us to help them manage
bills this winter,” said Thomas J. May, NSTAR Chairman,
President and CEO. “I’m excited to see this new era of
clean energy and expanded efficiency taking off in
Massachusetts and I applaud our state leaders for making
these issues a priority now and in the future.”
NSTAR filed the proposal in response to requests by the
DPU and DOER that energy efficiency programs in the
state be significantly enhanced in time for the heating
season. The company immediately began researching the
most cost effective way to do so in the least amount of
time.
“Heating costs this winter will be difficult for most of
us and could be tragic for far too many. Governor
Patrick, Senate President Murray and Speaker DiMasi
recently formed a winter heating task force to marshal
all of the state’s best solutions for dealing with this
impending challenging winter,” said Philip Giudice,
Commissioner, Department of Energy Resources. “We are
already seeing greatly increased demand for energy
efficiency services, as consumers take steps to get
ready for the winter. Now the utilities and other
service providers are working to meet that demand and it
is good to see them stepping forward."
“Governor Patrick has asked all of us in state
government to focus on the needs of customers as this
winter’s heating season approaches and I’m pleased to
see the electric and gas utilities stepping forward,"
stated Tim Woolf, Commissioner of the Department of
Public Utilities. "Expanding the existing efficiency
programs is the most cost-effective way to reduce high
energy costs, and will provide economic, health and
environmental benefits for many years into the future.”
The program expansions specifically promote the
installation of ENERGY STAR-rated high efficiency
heating equipment and increase money available through
the HEAT loan, a no-interest loan available to
homeowners who make efficiency upgrades. In addition,
the expansion will enhance the residential ENERGY STAR
Thermostat program, which makes programmable thermostats
available to customers to help control their heating
costs. NSTAR’s Low-Income Single Family and Multi-Family
programs also get a significant boost to support heating
and insulation related improvements.
“In the face of the climate crisis and escalating energy
costs, consumers and utilities together must take bold
action to reduce energy consumption across the board,”
said Sue Reid, Director of the Conservation Law
Foundation’s Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate
Change Initiative. “CLF looks forward to working with
NSTAR and others to swiftly ramp up energy efficiency
and conservation programs to meet this critical need in
advance of the approaching winter heating season.”
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