Energy Efficiency ProgramsRecently, the American Gas Association released a report that shows that an increasing number of states are implementing regulations that allow local natural gas utilities to set in place energy efficiency programs that help customers reduce their energy bills.
Specifically, the May 2009 issue of the Natural Gas Rate Round-Up reported that 19 states have regulations that permit the recovery of revenues and margins lost due to utility-sponsored energy efficiency programs. In addition, 11 states as well as Canada have approved financial incentives for utilities that invest in energy efficiency.
These measures are important because they align utility incentives with helping customers reduce their energy usage. As a result, where utilities are able to recover energy efficiency program costs and lost revenues, and earn a profit on energy efficiency services, they become stronger partners with customers in achieving conservation.
Effective regulatory approaches, such as decoupling and other innovative rate designs, are a true win for both customers and utilities. Customers save money by using energy more efficiently, and utility companies can promote efficiency and conservation measures without placing themselves in financial jeopardy.
In fact, the report says that by the end of 2007, utility companies in states with energy efficiency or demand management programs achieved a savings of 9 percent of total natural gas usage per residential participant—a direct consumer cost savings.
After seeing these benefits and the opportunities for efficiency and conservation, would you support this type of energy efficiency program in your state?
As stated, natural gas is our clean burning fuel. It is our champagne of fuel because it can be consumed to over 90% energy efficiency. This is something that our governments and industries still have to catch on to.
With the technology of “condensing flue gas heat recovery” it is possible to recover the heat out of the waste exhaust before it is lost into the atmosphere. Instead of exhausting HOT flue gases out of the end of the chimney, cool exhaust will be vented. The recovered heat can be used for building space heating purposes. It can be put into heating the domestic or industrial process water requirements. It can even be used to heat a hotel or university swimming pool.
So much natural gas today is being wasted! If archetects and mechanical engineering firms were to design buildings and industrial facilities with the goal to having the natural gas heating appliances operating at over 90% energy efficiency, and exhaust temperatures of less than 100 degrees F, this technology would also help them to conserve water.
Have you ever seen natural gas irrigate the lawns and flower beds?
This is how efficiently natural gas can be used! This can not be done with coal or oil, but natural gas can replace coal or oil. Doing so would reduce a lot of greenhouse gas emissions.
thanks for this post, superbly written