Supporting Duquesne Light Company to design, file and implement energy efficiency programs to meet its Pennsylvania Act 129 obligations
“MCR’s assistance helped us design and receive PA PUC approval to run a portfolio of programs that achieved one of the State’s lowest acquisition rates ($0.12/annual kWh) and highest cost-effectiveness (portfolio TRC test ratio 3.1:1). This is remarkable given that we have Pennsylvania’s lowest avoided cost.”
—Dave Defide, Manager of Customer Programs
Background
Signed into law by Governor Ed Rendell in 2008, Act 129 required Duquesne Light Company, and other electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania, to develop cost effective plans that would reduce electricity consumption across their service territory by 1 percent by 2011 and 3% by 2013. In order to meet these requirements, Duquesne Light selected MCR to design and file an energy efficiency plan.
Solution
MCR worked with our client to develop an energy efficiency potential forecast and a portfolio of 17 energy efficiency and demand-response programs serving the residential, low income, commercial, industrial and governmental customer sectors. Working with the regulatory and legal team, we developed the plan filing, developed and sponsored expert testimony and participated in negotiations with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC) and Staff.
Results
The plan was approved with the proposed programs and funding. During program implementation, we provided our client with assistance in facilitating stakeholder meetings and managing relationships with the PA PUC and staff, key customers, customer groups and evaluation, measurement and verification (EM&V) evaluators.
Duquesne Light achieved its energy efficiency savings ahead of target, attaining energy efficiency reductions of 521,000,000 kWh (123% of goal) through the end of the program on May 31, 2013. Duquesne Light also achieved peak demand reductions that were 4.5% of peak load. Portfolio EM&V realization rates exceeded 95% as measured by an independent evaluation contractor and confirmed by the PA PUC Statewide Evaluator.