Relating to energy efficiency goals and programs, public information regarding energy efficiency programs, and the participation of loads in certain energy markets.
What changed between versions
Increased minimum energy savings goals for utilities operating in non-competitive areas, raising thresholds from 2,500 to 5,000 kilowatts for the smallest utilities and scaling up to 125,000 kilowatts for the largest.
Added new requirements for utilities in competitive markets to provide incentives for retail electric providers and competitive energy service providers to acquire additional cost-effective energy efficiency.
Extended the period for annual goal increases from 2027-2028 to 2027-2030, with automatic updates beginning in 2031.
Added new subsections allowing municipal utilities and electric cooperatives to offer energy efficiency programs without being subject to the same regulatory requirements as investor-owned utilities.
Changed low-income energy efficiency program funding requirements from 10 percent to 15 percent of total energy efficiency budgets for utilities in competitive areas, with an option to request exemptions for 10 percent.
Created new provisions allowing utilities to request good cause exemptions from penalties if they fail to meet goals due to factors outside their control, such as supply chain interruptions or changes in building codes.
Added new subsections clarifying hearing procedures for contesting utility notices about hard-to-reach areas and establishing customer identification processes for low-income programs.