Bay State Gas Receives Approval For A Three Year Energy Efficiency Plan Totaling Over $56 Million
Westborough, MA, February 5, 2010 – On Thursday, January 28, 2010, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) approved Bay State's Three Year Energy Efficiency Plan for 2010-2012. The approved plan is a bold, new initiative in response to the Massachusetts Green Communities Act (GCA) and follows months of rigorous discussion, participation, and negotiations with the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (established by the GCA) and other interested stakeholders.
The DPU order commences a new era of prudent energy management and consumption, addresses the challenges of climate change, and fosters growth in jobs and economic output within the state. Bay State's plan meets the numerous requirements set forth by the GCA. These include participation in a comprehensive framework comprised of all utilities and energy service providers in the state to deliver enhanced energy efficiency services, and acquisition of all available energy efficiency and demand reduction resources that are cost-effective (i.e., less expensive than supply).
With the DPU approval of the three-year plan, Bay State's energy efficiency programs will dramatically increase from a $7.9 million annual budget, to over $56 million over the next three years - $16 million in 2010, $19 million in 2011 and $22 million in 2012. The new programs will install energy improvements that will achieve savings for years to come, enabling Bay State customers to realize savings of over 181 million therms of gas over the life of measures installed. This is the equivalent of heating approximately 178,797 homes for one year and equates to net benefits of over $135 million.
"Never before has there been such a coordinated effort among the state's gas and electric distribution companies, all focused on achieving accelerated levels of energy savings in a three-year period," said Derek Buchler, manager of the Company's energy efficiency department. "This plan represents our commitment to vastly expand the level and reach of energy-efficiency services delivered to our customers."
"We are extremely proud to be part of this very important and ground-breaking energy efficiency initiative," said Steve Bryant, president of Bay State Gas. "This plan will provide our customers easy, affordable ways to control and reduce energy consumption. We look forward to delivering the benefits of lower bills, greater comfort, and a cleaner environment to our customers and the Commonwealth. This plan allows us to become a true champion of energy efficiency."
"In the tradition of providing award-wining energy-efficiency programs for 25 years, Bay State Gas is now ramping up programs to pursue some of the most aggressive energy-efficiency goals ever established," added Buchler.