National Action Plan
for Energy Efficiency
What is the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency?
The National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (Action Plan)
presents policy recommendations for creating a sustainable,
aggressive national commitment to energy efficiency through gas
and electric utilities, utility regulators, and partner organizations.
The recommendations, if fully implemented, could save
Americans billions of dollars in energy bills over the next decade,
contribute to enhanced energy security, and improve the
environment. As of January 2009, over 120 organizations have
endorsed the Action Plan recommendations and made public
commitments to implement them in their areas.
A Leadership Group of more than 60 leading privately, publicly,
and cooperatively owned electric and gas utilities, utility
regulators, state agencies, large energy users, consumer
advocates, energy service providers, and environmental and
energy efficiency organizations direct the Action Plan. This group
is co-chaired by Marsha Smith, Commissioner of the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission and Past President of the National
Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and James E.
Rogers, Chairman, President, and C.E.O. of Duke Energy. The
U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency facilitate the work of the Leadership Group. The policy
recommendations come from the Leadership Group itself, not
DOE or EPA. In addition, the Leadership Group has issued a
number of best-practice-based guides, reports, and tools.
Recommendations
1. Recognize energy efficiency as a
high-priority energy resource.
2. Make a strong, long-term
commitment to implement cost-
effective energy efficiency as a
resource.
3. Broadly communicate the benefits
of and opportunities for energy
efficiency.
4. Provide sufficient, timely, and
stable program funding to deliver
energy efficiency where cost-
effective.
5. Modify policies to align utility
incentives with the delivery of cost-
effective energy efficiency and
modify ratemaking practices to
promote energy efficiency
investments.
Just Released in November 2008
National Action Plan Vision for 2025: A Framework for Change. This document is an update from the 2007
Vision release with important refinements to the approach for measuring progress. The Vision establishes a
goal of achieving all cost-effective energy efficiency by 2025, presents 10 implementation goals as a framework
for advancing the Leadership Group's five key policy recommendations, and presents an approach to measure
progress. The Vision is a living document which can be modified and improved over time.
Understanding Cost-Effectiveness of Energy Efficiency Programs. This paper discusses the five standard
tests used to assess the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency, how states are using these tests, and how the
tests can be used to determine the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency measures.
Utility Best Practices Guidance for Providing Business Customers with Energy Use and Cost Data. This
guidance summarizes the context, current state of utility practices, and the customer, business and policy cases
for providing customers with consistent, standardized energy use and cost data.
To create a sustainable, aggressive national commitment to energy efficiency
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Additional Resources of the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency
National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency Report. This seminal report includes the Action Plan
recommendations and summarizes methods for energy efficiency in utility ratemaking and revenue
requirements, energy resource planning processes, rate design, and energy efficiency program best practices.
Energy Efficiency Benefits Calculator. This calculator can be used to determine the quantitative costs and
benefits of energy efficiency. It provides a simplified tool to determine the business case for energy efficiency
from the perspective of the consumer, the utility, and society.
Aligning Utility Incentives with Investment in Energy Efficiency. This paper describes the financial effects
on a utility of its spending on energy efficiency programs, how those effects could constitute barriers to more
aggressive and sustained utility investment in energy efficiency, and how adoption of various policy
mechanisms can reduce or eliminate these barriers. Privately, publicly, and cooperatively owned utility cases
are covered.
Guide to Resource Planning with Energy Efficiency. A variety of successful processes are used to integrate
energy efficiency into electric and gas resource planning and to facilitate the effective procurement of cost-
effective energy efficiency. This "how-to-guide" describes the key issues, best practices, and main process
steps for integrating energy efficiency into resource planning on an equal basis with other resources.
Guide for Conducting Energy Efficiency Potential Studies. This document provides guidance on standard
approaches for parties looking to a) determine how much energy efficiency is available in their utility footprint,
state, or region; b) evaluate efficiency as an alternative to supply-side resources; or c) formulate detailed
program design plans by understanding the potential for cost-effective energy efficiency.
Model Energy Efficiency Program Impact Evaluation Guide. This document provides guidance on model
approaches for calculating energy, demand, and emissions savings resulting from energy efficiency programs. It
describes several standard approaches that can be used for calculating savings, defines terms, provides advice
on key evaluation issues, and lists efficiency evaluation resources.
Building Codes and Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet. This fact sheet highlights potential utility engagement with
building energy codes. Such codes at the local and state level establish a minimum level of energy efficiency for
residential and commercial buildings.
Sector Collaborative on Energy Efficiency Report. This report presents the major findings of the 2007 Sector
Collaborative Meeting that brought together utilities and their customers to explore what can be done to
increase energy efficiency investments. The report also describes customer barriers to energy efficiency and
provides energy consumption profiles for the commercial real estate, grocery, hospitality, retail, and municipal
sectors.
Regional Implementation Meetings. During 2007, Action Plan regional implementation meetings were held in
the Mid-Atlantic, New England, Midwest, and Southeast at the request of the Action Plan's Leadership Group.
Meeting materials include expert presentations on regional trends affecting investment in energy efficiency.
Outreach Materials. The following materials are available to assist organizations on communicating the
benefits of and opportunities for energy efficiency: Consumer Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet, Educational
briefings, Communications Kit, and Energy Efficiency Resources Database.
For more information on the Action Plan and to download copies of these materials, visit
www.epa.gov/eeactionplan
Hard copies are available for several reports by contacting Stacy Angel at angel.stacv@epa.gov.
lational Action Plan for Energy Efficiency www.epa .gov/eeacti o n p I a n
December 2008
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