ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS: ARE THEY EFFICIENT IN PA AS OPPOSED TO OTHER STATES? An Unbiased View by: Corey Moore, Tyler Derby, David Morse, & Jessica Derr

OBJECTIVES  What are Energy Efficiency Standards? & Why are they imposed?  Pennsylvania Energy Efficiency Standards are less efficient as compared to other states  Compare Pennsylvania Energy Efficiency Standards to the state of California  Pennsylvania standards more efficient as opposed to other states. How do we rank?  Our opinion

WHAT ARE ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS? ò A set of regulations that are imposed with the intention to protect the human population, wildlife, and environment that surrounds the projected cite or cites. State government sets energy requirements for public buildings and encourages the use of energy savings performance contracts. Varies from state to state.

WHY ARE THEY IMPOSED?  Maintain and regulate the amount of energy used Ex: Executive Order Works with agencies on implementing effective methods  Encourage energy saving performance Ex: Green Energy Loan Fund for Pa

WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY?  There are two views on the effectiveness of Energy Efficiency Standards in Pennsylvania: 1. Pennsylvania does not have an effective approach as opposed to other states. 2. Pennsylvania has an effective approach as opposed to other states.  The following issues are used to create standards o Health issues o Economic issues o Political issues

PA STANDARDS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT  The pollution prevention assistance program (PPAA) is a long & tedious process, for which small businesses have to wait before they can install new efficient equipment.  Candidates are on a waiting list as it is a 1 st come 1 st serve basis program.  Also a 2% fixed loan rate for a ten year term seems to be insufficient to cover administrative costs and reinvestment into other environmental projects.  Pollution Prevention Assistance Account (PPAA) Loan Program  the new equipment. For these reasons this is not a particularly popular program with the small commercial sector.

PA STANDARDS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT  PA has a split standard when it comes to who reaps the benefits of lower utility bills (The Tenants) due to efficiency improvements made to buildings by landlords  Department of Environmental Protection, Advantage program offers grants of up to $9,500 or 50% which ever is less. Only 25% plus $750 yearly is the required goal for energy savings. At that rate It would take 10 plus years to make up for the initial investment.  I believe that instead of handing out so many tax dollars for these projects, the state should do an evaluation of the property and implement the most cost efficient improvement program for each individual project.  What meets the current eligibility requirements for grants  HVAC and boiler upgrades  High-efficiency lighting, geothermal heat pumps, insulation and air sealing,  Energy efficient refrigeration, and waste recycling systems  This program overburdened with candidates and not enough funds for many businesses

A Comparison Between the East and the West in the Battle for Energy Conservation How do they rate ? CaliforniaPennsylvania Avaliable funding for Energy Conservation Efforts$100,000,000$2,500,000 Energy Standards Stricter Efficiency Standards Energy Standards not as stringent Disclosure of Energy Usage by BusinessesRequired Not Required Pennsylvania vs. California

PA EFFICIENCY STANDARDS ARE SUFFICENT  PA vs other states TN, KY, GA- has no standard or regulation in place The Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) requires that an annually increasing percentage of electricity sold to retail customers in PA is from alternative energy resources. PA also works with developing new techniques about how to overcome uncertainty of solar energy and address the barriers that could prevent new solar projects. - The standards set in Pa are efficient because of the protocols and procedures that people must go through to stay in line with the law. - By constantly demanding an increase in the amount of electricity sold from alternative energy, there will be less health issues in this state. With PA being a powerhouse in coal producing, the energy would be more and more focused on wind, solar, hydro. - The Economic issues are being helped by following these procedures because you will need people to take the new jobs you are creating with the development of new stations for solar energy and wind turbines.

PA STANDARDS ARE EFFICIENT PA vs other states  TN, KY, GA Executive Order requires that Department of General Services works with state agencies on effective methods to include energy efficiency into new and existing buildings House Bill 34- establishes a requirement for new state buildings over 20,000 square feet to meet high performance standards, including achieving a Energy Star rating of 75 or above Act 213- requires that electric distribution companies and electric generation suppliers include a specific percentage of electricity from alternative resources. This percentage gradually increases every year for the 15 year schedule. Act 129- requires companies to develop plans and other methods to reduce the amount of electricity consumed by customers. Ex: smart meter tech, time-of-use rates, market misconduct

CHART Pennsylvania Electricity Generation Renewable Energy Resources (Million kWh)

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PORTFOLIO STANDARDS The Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) requires that an annually increasing percentage of electricity sold to retail customers in PA is from alternative energy resources KWh= 1 Alternative Energy Credit PA also works with developing new technologies about how to overcome uncertainty of solar energy and address the barriers that could prevent new solar projects. Commission staff, public advocates, solar aggregators, solar developers and interested stakeholders. Explore and develop standardized contracts and other documents to better both large and small scale projects GELF(Green Energy Loan Fund)- provides financing for energy efficiency and the installation of energy conservation measures and high performance energy systems in buildings. The loans ranges from $100,000 to $2.5 million dollars

FORCES AFFECTED Economic force- loss of 17,380 jobs, Average household electricity bill will increase by $170, also could allow banking of Renewable Energy Credits Environmental Force- Increases in energy cost could be justified if there are significant benefits to be seen How it impacts the world

DIFFERENCE IN OPINIONS Even though Pennsylvania does not rank in the top tier of energy efficiency standards, such as, California, it does not have as poor of standards as other states, such as, Kentucky and Georgia. It is evident that there is still a lot that needs to be done to ensure that Pennsylvania instills adequate energy efficiency standards. Pennsylvania needs to implement more effective standards.

DIFFERENCE IN OPINIONS  Pennsylvania standards are efficient. It has the longest phase of energy efficiency to date and among the longest in the country. PA continuously seeks more comprehensive and longer-term efficiency measures.  The Environmental Defense Fund and its environmental partners argue that energy efficiency programs in other states need to go beyond the simple and low-cost measures.

CONCLUSION  Energy Efficiency standards help states toward creating effective energy usage.  Energy issues often require background knowledge.

REFERENCES  FS.pdf FS.pdf  standards.aspx#pa standards.aspx#pa   rgy.aspx rgy.aspx    +standards#.VlFCGb-LBTs +standards#.VlFCGb-LBTs  standards.aspx#pa standards.aspx#pa  rgy.aspx rgy.aspx