The Public Utility Commission Thursday approved an updated Technical Reference Manual, which is used to assess energy savings attributable to energy efficiency and demand response measures for the implementation of the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards of Act 213 and the energy efficiency and conservation provisions of Act 129 of 2008.

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the updated TRM, which sets the standards used to measure and verify applicable energy efficiency measures used by the state’s largest electric distribution companies (EDCs). The updated TRM will go into effect on June 1, 2015.

Initially established in March 2005, the TRM is updated annually in order to keep pace and remain relevant and useful as experience and technology related to energy efficiency evolves. In addition, energy efficiency measures have become more prevalent and necessary, as evidenced by the enactment of Act 129 of 2008.

AEPS specifically required the Commission to develop standards for tracking and verifying savings from energy efficiency, load management and demand-side management measures.

Generally, AEPS requires that a certain percentage of all electric energy sold to retail customers be derived from alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biomass, and demand side management resources.

The law applies to both EDCs and electric generation suppliers (EGSs), which must demonstrate their compliance on an annual basis.

Act 129 expanded the PUC’s oversight responsibilities and imposed new energy efficiency and conservation requirements on EDCs with at least 100,000 customers, with the overall goal of reducing energy consumption and/or demand.

For more information, visit the PUC’s Act 129 webpage.

12/22/2014