ISO-NE Consumer Liaison Group Discusses Benefits of Energy Efficiency

PROVIDENCE — Speakers at the ISO-NE Consumer Liaison Group on March 27 discussed the system-wide costs and emissions benefits of energy efficiency and demand flexibility and called on policymakers to double down on efficiency programs as energy demand grows.

State energy efficiency programs have faced some political scrutiny in recent months amid high winter energy costs. To help reduce near-term electricity costs, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities in late February directed utilities to shave $500 million off the upcoming three-year plan for the Mass Save energy efficiency program. 

Jamie Dickerson, senior director of climate and clean energy programs at the Acadia Center, said energy efficiency is responsible for a roughly 15% reduction in the region’s overall power demand and has brought more than $55 billion in benefits to the region since 2012.  

He said it’s unfortunate energy efficiency “has emerged as a scapegoat for some,” given the cost reductions it can provide. Moving ahead, he emphasized the importance of energy efficiency as peak loads increase and estimated that achieving 20% demand flexibility in winter could save the region about $8 billion in transmission spending by 2050. 

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