Helping Connecticut Save Energy & Money – This Fund's for You
Since 2000, Connecticut has been ranked as one of the top three states in the nation for energy efficiency. This leadership is due to the foresight of our legislature in creating the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund -- supported by you -- the utility customers. The money collected supports energy-efficiency programs that benefit all energy users in Connecticut. Connecticut has also received funding through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) as a result of the state's existing, award-winning energy-efficiency programs.
Energy efficiency is the easiest, most cost-effective way to collectively save money, create jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and reduce the need for additional generation plant construction. The Energy Efficiency Fund was created with the direct purpose of helping homeowners and renters, small and large businesses, and state and local governments use energy more efficiently. This is your resource and that's why we say, "This Fund's for you".
Since 1998, Connecticut's energy-efficiency programs have delivered critical peak demand reductions and energy savings equivalent to the generating capacity of a 595 megawatt power plant. In 2009, the Fund programs activities resulted in 2.6 billion kilowatt-hour lifetime savings. This is the equivalent to: providing electricity to more than 313 thousand homes for one year; reducing energy costs by $533 million; and avoiding the emissions of 1.9 million tons of carbon dioxide.
The electric companies, The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) and The United Illuminating Company (UI), and the gas companies, Yankee Gas Services Company, Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation and The Southern Connecticut Gas Company, administer the energy-efficiency programs the Fund supports, providing energy-efficiency expertise and financial incentives to help their customers reduce the amount of energy used in their homes and businesses.
The energy-efficiency programs are reviewed by the Energy Conservation Management Board (ECMB), a group of advisors who utilize their experience and expertise with energy issues to evaluate and consult with the utility companies on how the programs are structured and delivered. In conjunction with the ECMB, the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) regulates the utility companies and reviews and approves the Fund's energy-efficiency programs annually.
The Mission of Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund:
- To advance the efficient use of energy;
- To reduce air pollution and negative environmental impacts;
- To promote economic development and energy security.
The benefits of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund programs far exceed their costs.
Energy efficiency is the most cost-effective resource available to policymakers to address rising energy costs and reliability challenges, meeting the greenhouse gas reduction goals in the Governor's Climate Action Plan and the federal attainment goals for nitrogen oxides emissions. The least expensive kilowatt-hour is the one not used.
For every $1 spent on electric efficiency, Connecticut receives electric system benefits of more than $4 and the same statement can be made for natural gas system. These return on investments are phenomenal in today's economic climate and demonstrate that Energy Efficiency Fund programs are an important part of resolving the state's economic crisis by reducing customer costs, generating "green" jobs, and making the state more competitive due to lower business operating costs. The energy-efficiency measures installed in 2009 through Fund's programs will result in a savings of about $533 million over the life of the measures.
Efficient use of electricity slows down the need to build more power plants and results in fewer toxins emitted into our atmosphere. For more information about energy issues and resources in Connecticut, visit:
