It was passed by Congress and designed to lessen the nation's dependence on imported energy, provide incentives for clean and renewable energy, and promote energy conservation in buildings. State regulatory authorities must consider each of the new standards for each electric utility over which it has authority. However, adoption is voluntary and left to the discretion of each commission. (as of ‘92) October 24,1992 President Bush signs the Energy Policy Act of 1992, which assists the implementation of the National Energy Strategy.

In amending the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, the Act created new obligations for state public utility regulators. Four new ratemaking standards are set out for commission consideration. They all directly impact the electric utility IRP processes. 1.Conserve energy supplied by electric utilities 2.Make more efficient use of the utilities' facilities and resources 3.Establish equitable rates for electric consumers 4.The fourth standard of EPAct describes four issues which must be looked at by a state commission when considering the long-term purchase of power from a wholesale generator.

Buildings Requires states to establish minimum commercial building energy codes and to consider minimum residential codes based on current voluntary codes. This gave impetus to the creation and modification of ASHRAE 90.1/1999, 2001, ASHRAE 90.2, the Model Energy Code etc. Utilities Requires states to consider new regulatory standards that would require utilities to undertake integrated resource planning; allow the energy efficiency programs to be at least as profitable as new supply options; and encourage improvements in supply system efficiency. Equipment Standards - Establishes efficiency standards for: Commercial heating and air-conditioning equipment; electric motors; and lamps. Renewable Energy - Establishes a program for providing federal support on a competitive basis for renewable energy technologies Electricity Removes obstacles to wholesale power competition in the Public Utilities Holding Company Act (PUHCA). It also promoted Alternative Fuels and Electric Vehicles.

Projection In their review of the regulated utility provisions of EPACT, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACE3) and the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), made the following energy saving estimates for the years Saves: 4.6 Quads of Energy (mostly coal and gas) Saves: 275 billion kWh Avoids: 20% of the projected electricity growth Reduces: by 34% carbon emission

Results

Energy Policy Act of PublicationNo. IssuesLetter, Regulatory Assistance Project. The Regulatory Assistance Project - IssuesLetter Publications. Jan Regulatory Assistance Project. 14 Sept "Energy Policy Act of 1992." Wikipedia. 28 Aug Sept Kenney, Robyn (Lead Author); Cutler J. Cleveland (Topic Editor) "Energy Policy Act of 1992, United States." In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 29, 2006; Last revised September 18, 2006; Retrieved September 16, 2008]. Vickers, Amy. "The Energy Policy Act: Assessing its impact on utilities." Journal of the American Water Works Association 88 (January 1996): 18+.