PSC Approves New Round of Energy Efficiency Funding

ALBANY, NY (11/12/2009)(readMedia)-- The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today approved more than $48.3 million in funding for nine natural gas and electric energy efficiency programs for the commercial and industrial customer market segment.

"Helping our commercial and industrial sector become more energy efficient will help these important, job-producing companies stay competitive," said Commission Chairman Garry Brown. "These energy efficiency programs will enable participating companies to reduce energy costs and improve business operations. These latest energy saving initiatives that we have approved today will join a wide-ranging portfolio of energy efficiency programs that have been approved this year by the Commission."

Electric and natural gas commercial and industrial customers will be able to receive financial assistance to help improve the energy efficiency of their businesses as a result of efficiency programs approved for the following utilities: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation, and National Grid.

For electric customers, Con Edison's commercial and industrial custom efficiency program will receive $10.7 million, saving 15,980 MWh; NYSEG's non-residential small business direct installation program will receive $15.3 million, saving 56,826 MWh; NYSEG's non-residential commercial and industrial rebate program will receive $5.8 million, saving 15,634 MWh; RG&E's non-residential small business direct installation program will receive $6.9 million, saving 25,890 MWh; and RG&E's non-residential commercial and industrial custom rebate program will receive $3.7 million, saving 9,586 MWh. The $42.2 million invested in these programs will save 123,916 MWh of electricity, enough to power 15,270 average-sized homes annually.

For gas customers, Con Edison's commercial and industrial custom gas efficiency program will receive $3 million, saving 64,468 dekatherms; National Grid's upstate commercial high-efficiency heating and water heating program will receive $1.8 million, saving 45,690 dekatherms; NYSEG's non-residential commercial and industrial customer rebate program will receive $552,000, saving 12,328 dekatherms; and RG&E's non-residential commercial and industrial custom rebate program will receive $553,000, saving 12,048 dekatherms. The $5.9 million invested in these programs will save 134,000 dekatherms, enough natural gas to heat 13,500 average-sized homes annually.

On June 23, 2008, the Commission created the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS) program to develop and encourage cost-effective energy efficiency programs. Since then, numerous proposals have been submitted in response to the initial order, some of which are combined electric and gas programs. To provide for an orderly review of the proposals, they are being considered in phases, by customer market segment. The order approved today focuses on program proposals designed for the commercial and industrial customer market segment through 2011.

The Commission's decision today, when issued, may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission's Web site at www.dps.state.ny.us and entering Case Numbers 08-E-1127, 08-E-1129, 08-E-1130, 08-E-1132, 08-E-1133, 07-M-0548, and 09-G-0363 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number." Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission orders may also be obtained from the Commission's Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500).

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