Energy efficiency is the quickest, cleanest and least expensive way for Texas to meet its power needs. Since 1999, market-based efficiency programs have helped to lower peak demand for electricity–even as the state has continued to grow. Studies have found that energy efficiency programs have far greater potential impact than originally believed. The challenge in 2009 is to enact goals and programs on a scope that the full potential of energy efficiancy for Texas will be realized.

ACT 2009 Legislative Recommendations:

Raise Energy Efficiency Goal: Utility-funded incentive programs should be set at 1.0 percent of peak demand and energy use by 2015.

Raise the Goal for Utility-Funded Efficiency Incentive Programs (pdf)

Increase the Texas LOANStar Program: Raise funding level from $100 to $300 million, require energy audits of all large publicly-owned buildings and initiate a state-funded loan program for electric cooperatives and municipality-owned utilities.
Expand the Funding and Purpose of the Texas LoanSTAR Program (pdf)

Adopt Additional State Appliance Efficiency Standards: The addition of seven more appliances to state efficiency standards (including swimming pool pumps) could lead to savings totally over $100 million in savings by 2020.
Additional Appliances for Texas Energy Efficiency Standards (pdf)

Promote Weatherization: Use funds already set aside in System Benefit Fund to assist renters and homeowners with energy-saving weatherization.
Stop Shortchanging Texans – Fund Weatherization Assistance for Existing Homes through the System Benefit Fund (pdf)

Raise Building Codes to 2009 IECC Standards: Update the code from 2001 standards.
2009 IECC Code Fact Sheet (pdf)

ACT 2009 Energy Efficiency Team

Kate Robertson, Environmental Defense Fund (lead)
krobertson@edf.org

Additional Resources on Energy Efficiency

Itron Report to PUC on Energy Efficiency Potential for Texas (pdf) Major report from December 2008 on energy efficiency in Texas.

Building a Better Future: Moving Toward Zero Pollution with Highly Efficient Homes and Businesses (pdf) Report from Environment Texas on remarkable amount of energy savings potential in high performance efficiency construction. Published May 2009.