Empower Consumers

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE UTILITY CONSUMER ADVOCATES RESOLUTION 2008-05

Whereas, the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) has long supported cost-effective energy efficiency programs as a way of conserving valuable energy resources, reducing demand, and reducing customers’ utility bills; and

Whereas, the value and need for cost-effective energy efficiency efforts on both the demand and the supply side in today’s world are increasing, and realizing that the majority of these efforts are ultimately paid for by consumers, it is necessary to ensure that the interests and needs of all consumers, particularly those consumers facing economic challenges, are protected;

NOW THEREFORE, NASUCA RESOLVES:
To continue its long tradition of support for the adoption of cost effective energy efficiency programs as ways to reduce customer utility bills and help mitigate the need for new utility infrastructure; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That NASUCA supports the following principles to ensure that all energy efficiency efforts are cost-effective and include reasonable policies and procedures for the fair and equitable treatment of all consumers:

1. That policymakers should make long-term commitments to cost-effective energy efficiency efforts as one way to help mitigate rising energy costs;
2. That development, implementation and administration of energy efficiency programs should be done in a cost-effective manner, including the following:

Programs should primarily focus on energy efficiency measures that:

result in lower bills, and
avoid some of the need for new utility infrastructure;

Programs should be established on the basis of an accurate assessment of potential energy efficiency savings;
Programs should provide for the periodic independent auditing of operations, costs and claimed savings to ensure the programs operate efficiently and economically and meet the stated objectives and goals.

3. That the following means should be actively promoted to increase energy efficiency efforts:

State and federal tax credits for consumers to incent energy efficiency activities.
Increased energy efficiency standards for:

Residential and commercial products;
Lighting.

Maximum energy efficiency achieved at government owned or leased properties and facilities.
Inform and train a work force for careers in energy efficient technologies,
Support the research and development of new products, services and practices; and
Provide appropriate and targeted education to consumers about energy efficiency and how they can manage their energy bills and get more value.

4. That an individual customer should, as a general principle, be permitted to retain all of the economic benefits of the customer’s own, self-funded efforts to reduce electricity or natural gas usage.

5. That in the design of energy efficiency programs, special consideration should be given to aiding those in our society that face the largest economic challenges because of rising energy costs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NASUCA authorizes its Executive Committee to develop specific positions and to take appropriate actions consistent with the terms of this resolution. The Executive Committee shall advise the membership of any proposed action prior to taking action if possible. In any event the Executive Committee shall notify the membership of any action pursuant to this resolution.

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Approved by NASUCA: Submitted by:
Place: New Orleans, LA NASUCA Gas Committee
Date: November 18, 2008