National Grid Proposes Significant Expansion of Rhode Island Energy Efficiency Programs

WALTHAM, MA (11/18/2010)(readMedia)-- National Grid has submitted a proposal to the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for a new Energy Efficiency Program Plan which expands and enhances the company's energy efficiency programs for its electricity and natural gas customers in the state. Under the proposal, National Grid would expand investments in cost-effective energy efficiency programs for electricity customers to more than $54 million and invest $11.5 million for natural gas efficiency programs. The PUC will consider the proposal and is expected to make its decision in December.

The 2011 Energy Efficiency Plan is part of a proposed settlement agreement supported by the Energy Efficiency and Resource Management Council (EERMC), the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, The Energy Council of Rhode Island (TEC-RI), and Environment Northeast (ENE).

"As part of this plan, both Rhode Island electric and natural gas customers will have a robust portfolio of energy efficiency options available to them," said Edward White, National Grid's vice president of Energy Products. "We're proposing funding for services and products from which every customer can benefit."

According to White, participating in energy efficiency programs is one of the fastest, efficient and effective options for customers to permanently lower their energy costs. "Regardless of what energy prices do, the simple fact remains that the less you use, the less you pay for," White commented.

If approved, the Energy Efficiency Program Plan for 2011 would expand and fully fund cost-effective energy efficiency measures for natural gas customers. National Grid was first able to provide energy efficiency programs to Rhode Island natural gas customers in 2007, the year after National Grid purchased New England Gas Company's Rhode Island gas business.

Under the new plan, energy efficiency program participation is expected to expand from an estimated total of 141,500 customers in 2010 to nearly 240,000 in 2011. That translates into a collective, total lifetime savings of nearly $90 million or nearly 1.2 million megawatt-hours of electricity in Rhode Island. Natural gas customers can expect lifetime savings of $34 million or approximately 2.8 million BTU's. From the consumer perspective, residential customers who receive a free home energy audit and install energy savings measures can save $145 a year on electricity and $100 a year on gas, based on today's prices.

Overall, the company's proposal is expected to generate $214 million in economic benefits for Rhode Island by reducing energy consumption and related costs.

New For 2011

National Grid's proposal includes the following program enhancements:

• Increased incentives for weatherization installations in homes heated with natural gas
• Zero-interest loans for weatherization and heating equipment installations in one- and two-family homes
• An increased number of contractors participating in the weatherization program
• Expanding natural gas programs for small business customers
• A home energy report pilot program for residential customers
• An education and outreach plan to better inform customers of program availability.

Over the past 25 years, National Grid's customers across New England have saved more than $840 million in energy costs through the company's nationally recognized energy efficiency programs.

More detailed information about National Grid's energy efficiency programs and how to participate can be found at www.powerofaction.com.

In addition to the Energy Efficiency Program Plan, National Grid is working to help customers create even greater savings for themselves and to benefit the environment, by urging them to pledge to use three percent less energy every year for the next ten years through its Three Percent Less Energy Pledge campaign. Customers can learn more about National Grid's programs also at www.powerofaction.com.

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.

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