In response to Pennsylvania’s Act 129, which requires electric distribution companies to provide programmes for its customers to reduce electricity consumption, Allegheny received approval for energy efficiency programmes for residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Customers will be receiving information on the new Watt Watchers programmes in the coming months. These programmes are designed to help consumers use electricity efficiently, curb consumption and reduce overall demand for electricity.
Rodney Dickens, president of Allegheny Power, said: “Allegheny is moving aggressively to introduce these new energy efficiency programs, which offer incentives for homes and businesses to save energy and money.
“We have designed a portfolio of programs that will provide meaningful reductions in energy usage and with the implementation of smart meters, we will offer customers new rate options and other tools for customers to better manage their electric bills.”
The new programmes approved by the commission include rebates for customers that purchase high-efficiency appliances, lighting and heating and cooling systems; residential home audits and rebates toward implementing audit recommendations; home audit, weatherization and air conditioner replacement programmes for low-income customers; new rate options that will provide financial incentives for customers to lower their demand for electricity or shift their usage to lower-priced times; incentives for customers who install in-home devices that reduce electric usage when demand is highest; and programmes for commercial, industrial, government and non-profit customers to increase energy efficiency and conservation.
Act 129 calls for the programmes to be funded through customer rates. The typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month would see an increase of about $2 per month. Customers who take advantage of one or more of the new programmes have the opportunity to offset that amount and save more. Programmes enabled by smart meters will be available in 2011.
