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Programs target efficiency in new construction and retrofits; additional programs to be filed
RALEIGH, N.C., May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Progress Energy Carolinas today proposed to the N.C. Utilities Commission three additional programs to promote energy efficiency and demand-side management. The filings are part of the utility's commitment to creating a comprehensive portfolio of programs to appeal to customers of all sizes, budgets and needs.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c )
Today's filings include programs that aim to increase the level of energy efficiency built into new homes, and commercial, industrial and government buildings, as well as a program to supplement energy-efficiency retrofits for existing commercial, industrial and government facilities.
"We are focused on developing and offering an array of programs that will be helpful to all customers who want to become more energy efficient," said Lloyd Yates, president and CEO of Progress Energy Carolinas. "They are designed to create mutual benefits. Our overall goal is to help customers make efficiency a part of their daily lives. Doing so not only saves them money but also helps delay the need to build power plants for our growing region."
Today's filings include:
Home Advantage: This is a residential new construction program designed to encourage builders and developers to construct new homes that meet U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR(R), or higher, energy-efficiency standards. The proposed program, called Home Advantage, will provide an incentive of up to $400 to builders and developers whose single-family or multi-family housing units, high-rise condominiums or manufactured housing units meet ENERGY STAR(R) qualifications. The program also will provide rebates to builders for installing efficiency equipment, including a proposed rebate of $1,000 for installation of residential solar water-heating systems in new homes.
Commercial, industrial and government (CIG) new construction - custom: This proposed program will promote energy efficiency within the CIG new construction market through custom energy-efficiency design reviews. Progress Energy Carolinas and the company's pre-qualified energy-efficiency engineering firms will work with CIG customers' design teams to provide comprehensive design review and recommend upgrade options to energy-conservation measures. Areas to be evaluated include lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, energy-management systems, motors, solar hot water systems and other cost-effective energy- conservation measures. Custom financial incentives will be provided to enable customers to achieve a two-year payback on their investments.
CIG retrofit-custom: This proposed program includes a partnership with pre-qualified energy-efficiency engineering firms to provide energy audits and recommendations for energy-efficiency upgrades to existing CIG facilities. These custom audits will include reviewing cost-effective upgrades for lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, energy-management systems, motors, solar hot water systems and other components and systems. The goal of the program is to improve the energy efficiency of existing facilities by providing custom financial incentives that will enable the customers to achieve a two-year payback on their investment.
Growing portfolio of programs
Earlier this week, Progress Energy Carolinas filed programs for residential load control and for enhancement of the electric distribution grid so it can be used to reduce peak demand systemwide. At full implementation, those two programs are expected to produce nearly 450 megawatts of peak-demand reduction, the equivalent of several large peaking power plants. The success of the programs filed today will be determined by participation levels.
In the coming months, the company expects to file additional programs ranging from rebates on individual efficiency improvements and equipment purchases - including residential solar water heating rebates for existing homes - to a comprehensive home energy improvement program that will address heating and air conditioning, duct work, lighting, insulation and other components and systems. Other programs will focus on enhanced efficiency for low-income households, small commercial businesses, non-profits and military base family housing, as well as new construction and retrofitting existing construction.
The programs proposed, and those yet to be filed, are a key part of the company's strategy to double its energy efficiency portfolio to 2,000 megawatts (MW) and delay the need to build power plants. Progress Energy Carolinas expects to file for the same programs in South Carolina in the coming months. The company expects the regulatory commissions to act on the proposals later this year. Thereafter, Progress Energy Carolinas will provide additional information on how customers can participate.
As previously announced, Progress Energy Carolinas will seek commission approval of appropriate incentives. The company has proposed a 50/50 shared- savings model, under which the costs and benefits of these programs will be evaluated together, and the benefits of reducing peak electricity demand will be shared between customers and the utility. The model is consistent with the provisions of the state's energy bill enacted last year.
Meanwhile, the company continues to provide efficiency information through the Save The Watts campaign. Save The Watts is an educational initiative that features a highly interactive Web site (http://www.savethewatts.com/) with energy-efficiency program details and more than 100 useful tips for customers to save energy. The Web site provides a calculator for customers to measure their energy savings as well as their carbon footprint, a calculation of the individual's energy usage to reflect his or her contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
Progress Energy, headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune 250 energy company with more than 21,000 megawatts of generation capacity and $9 billion in annual revenues. The company, which will celebrate a century of service in 2008, includes two major utilities that serve 3.1 million customers in the Carolinas and Florida. Progress Energy is the 2006 recipient of the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Award, the industry's highest honor, in recognition of its operational excellence. The company also is the first utility to receive the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Founder's Award for customer service. Progress Energy serves two growing areas of the country, and the company is pursuing a balanced approach to meeting the future energy needs of the region. That balance includes increased energy efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art electricity system. For more information about Progress Energy, visit the company's Web site at http://www.progress-energy.com/.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
DATASOURCE: Progress Energy Carolinas
CONTACT: Progress Energy media information line, +1-877-641-NEWS (6397)
Web site: http://www.progress-energy.com/
http://www.savethewatts.com/