The Public Utility Commission Thursday approved Phase III Act 129 Energy Efficiency and Conservation plans submitted by PPL Electric Utilities Corporation and PECO Energy Company.

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the PPL and PECO plans, which outline company efforts to reduce energy consumption and peak demand through 2021.

EE&C plans for the state’s five other large electric distribution companies were approved by the Commission last week, including plans submitted by the FirstEnergy Companies (Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power and West Penn Power) and Duquesne Light.

All of the Phase III EE&C plans will go into effect on June 1, 2016.

EE&C plans are required as part of Act 129 of 2008. The Act calls for efficiency and conservation efforts, if shown to be cost-effective, to help reduce electric price volatility and ensure affordable and reliable electric service to Pennsylvania’s residents and businesses.

In June 2015, the Commission issued its Final Implementation Order for Phase III of Act 129, building upon all of the lessons learned and data collected to date.

Now about to enter their third phase, these EE&C programs have promoted the adoption of energy-efficient lighting, appliances and other measures intended to help reduce consumption. 

Phase III covers a five-year period, from 2016 through 2021, with new targets for each of the EDCs based on numerous studies by the Commission.

The overall targets for reduction in power consumption range from 2.6 percent to 5 percent, depending on the potential savings in each EDC territory.

The targets for peak demand reduction also vary depending on the potential for each territory, ranging up to 2 percent.

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

3/21/2016