Green Communities Act spurs NSTAR to expand its energy efficiency programme by 50 per cent

3 December 2008

US investor-owned electric and gas utility NSTAR expects to expand its energy efficiency programmes by nearly 50 per cent over the coming year, in direct response to the Green Communities Act and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s call for increased conservation.

If approved by the Department of Public Utilities, $74m worth of funding will be made available to NSTAR.

Tom May, NSTAR chairman and CEO, said, ‘Our customers have clearly indicated their willingness to take the steps necessary to cut energy usage in their homes and businesses. The ability to expand the reach of our programmes next year is crucial to our goal of providing efficiency services to the increasing number of customers who want them.’

In addition to expanding the HEAT loan, NSTAR also proposes increased funding for lighting rebates, as well as the home audit programme, including a significant increase in insulation rebates.

Shanna Cleveland, staff attorney with the Conservation Law Foundation, said, ‘NSTAR’s 2009 Energy Efficiency Plan is the first plan filed since the passage of the groundbreaking Green Communities Act. It outlines the first steps towards achieving much needed growth in energy efficiency and conservation measures. Continued progress towards full integration of conservation measures – especially demand response programmes – will be necessary to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing electricity rates.’

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Tags: energy efficiency

This story was published on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 at 1:29 pm and is filed under North America, companies, energy efficiency. You can follow any responses to article entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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