Central Hudson Proposes Statewide Energy Efficiency Solution

(Poughkeepsie, NY) Central Hudson Gas & Electric today released a public policy statement proposing the first comprehensive plan that would enable New York State to reach the goal of reducing electricity demand by 15 percent by the year 2015, as challenged by Governor Eliot Spitzer.  The white paper is available on the utility's web site at www.CentralHudson.com (under Energy Efficiency Proposal, State-Wide Plan).

"All of the proposals that have been put forth to date by various well-intentioned stakeholders in the New York State Public Service Commission’s statewide proceeding fall short of the target of a 15-percent reduction in electric energy use. Our white paper outlines a solution strategy that would guide New York in achieving an ambitious goal that is critical to our state's future," said Denise Doring VanBuren, Central Hudson's Vice President of Public Affairs and Energy Efficiency.

As part of a statewide regulatory proceeding, the  New York State Public Service Commission has elicited  so-called Fast Track programs proposed by its Staff.  Also, a group of state agencies and authorities have made proposals for a number of energy efficiency programs that would be administered by those agencies, authorities and others.  For example, currently the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority administers energy efficiency programs that emphasize market transformation efforts such as new building construction standards, ENERGY STAR capabilities, and expansion of the EmPowerNY program for low-income customers.

Central Hudson has proposed an enhanced model that would supplement the Fast Track programs and existing NYSERDA and other programs with substantive, utility-led programs, administered by the electricity delivery companies across New York State who interact with customers millions of times every year. The white paper promotes utility-led programs based upon both a) market research conducted by Central Hudson with electric customers and b) best-in-class, nationally recognized programs administered by utilities in other states.

Utility-led efforts would focus on promoting programs for appliance replacement rebates and bounties, home energy audits, compact fluorescent lighting, HVAC, and small commercial customers, in addition to special outreach to benefit low-income customers. The individual utility companies' programs could be tailored to address the special or unique needs evidenced by customers throughout various parts of the state.

"The Fast Track programs, which are funded through a charge on every New Yorker's electric bill called the Systems Benefit Charge, are already effectively working in the big picture to transform the marketplace. Even still, they fall short of the energy savings needed to reach the 15 x 15 goal. We're convinced that only the local utilities possess the necessary relationships with customers and the proven expertise to ensure that energy efficiency becomes a way of life for New Yorkers," VanBuren explained.

"In a recent survey of more than 1,200 of our customers, the local utility was identified by a margin of nearly five to one as the preferred entity to provide energy efficiency advice, when compared to state or federal agencies," VanBuren said. "The results of this survey, which are also available on our website clearly show that our customers want to be more energy efficient – but they need their local utility's help in getting there. Our proposed model would accomplish that."

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