National Grid’s New Energy Efficiency Plan to Generate Even More Savings for Massachusetts Customers
Innovation and cost effectiveness to benefit natural gas and electric users
WALTHAM, MASS., February 3, 2016 /3BL Media/ – The recent approval of National Grid’s energy efficiency programs by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities means even more opportunities for the company’s natural gas and electric customers to save money, lower energy use and help improve the environment. The company’s three-year plan is expected to generate $3.6 billion in Massachusetts customer benefits over the lifetime of the efficiency investments. To realize these benefits, over the next three years National Grid will work with customers to invest nearly $850 million in electric energy efficiency and more than $382 million in natural gas energy efficiency.
“The DPU challenged National Grid and the state’s other utility companies to find more and better ways to help our customers save on their energy costs, while providing greater opportunities for them to help improve our environment,” said Marcy Reed, president of National Grid in Massachusetts. “We believe the programs will further solidify the state’s standing as the most energy efficient in the country and will help customers save on their energy bills while making their homes more comfortable and their businesses more profitable.”
In addition to the financial benefits accruing to customers, the efficiency programs will have a significant positive impact on the state’s environment by curtailing increases in the amount of electricity generated and the amount of natural gas burned. It is estimated that programs will save 17.6 megawatts of electricity and more than 605 million therms of natural gas. In terms of potential greenhouse gas pollution, that equates to taking more than 200,000 automobiles off the road.
National Grid is committed to helping its customers use energy more efficiently and will inaugurate key enhancements to several existing programs.
For residential customers these include:
- A process to more directly market energy efficiency programs to renters
- An incentive for landlords to weatherize their entire buildings
- Training and education to encourage zero energy and renewable energy ready building design
- Increased incentive for moderate income customers to weatherize their homes.
For commercial and industrial customers these include:
- Direct support from National Grid’s new construction staff in the design of high performance energy efficient buildings
- Expanding the number and variety of energy efficient equipment eligible for incentives to customers
- Increasing the company’s focus on new energy efficiency appliances technologies
- Providing a single point of contact for the owners of multi-family dwellings to assist participants and coordinate service delivery
The $3.6 billion in customer benefits include the value of natural gas and electricity savings and other economic benefits participating customers are expected to realize. Also included are reduced infrastructure expenses that National Grid may be able to realize because of diminished use of the natural gas and electric distribution and transmission systems as well as reduced generation needs in the region. The net effect is that these energy efficiency services contribute to making Massachusetts a better place to live while contributing to the economic vitality of the state.
The three-year programs are part of National Grid’s balanced approach to helping customers save on their energy costs. National Grid continues to advocate for a balanced portfolio of energy resources, including large-scale affordable renewables, increased natural gas pipeline capacity, electric transmission capacity and enhanced energy efficiency programs, as the key to securing New England’s long-term energy future and providing our residential and business customers with the stability they need.
About National Grid
National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE: NGG) is an electricity and natural gas delivery company that connects nearly 7 million customers to vital energy sources through its networks in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. National Grid also operates the systems that deliver gas and electricity across Great Britain.
Through its U.S. Connect21 strategy, National Grid is transforming its electricity and natural gas networks to support the 21st century digital economy with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions. Connect21 is vital to our communities' long-term economic and environmental health and aligns with regulatory initiatives in New York (REV: Reforming the Energy Vision) and Massachusetts (Grid Modernization).
For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com, or our Connecting website. You can also follow us on Twitter, watch us on You Tube, Friend us on Facebook and find our photos on Instagram.
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