The State Corporation Commission (SCC) will soon decide how much energy and costs our monopoly utilities should be required to save through energy efficiency. The Energy Efficiency Savings Targets (EERS) the SCC sets for 2026-2028 will determine whether or not our monopoly utilities get serious about energy affordability and reducing carbon emissions. Higher EERS targets result in more savings through utility energy efficiency programs. Appalachian Power’s proposed targets would significantly REDUCE energy efficiency program offerings to customers below current levels. These targets are so unambitious that Appalachian Power would have to spend less on programs already approved by the SCC.
Energy efficiency savings can be a lifeline for households with high energy bills.
Many of you may live in older homes or manufactured homes that cost more to power. You may be paying more for energy than you can afford. Utility energy efficiency programs are an essential tool to help you lower your energy costs.
Some utility energy efficiency programs have additional benefits of improved health and safety. For example, when homes are weatherized and become less drafty, heating costs go down, resulting in fewer sick days. Some energy efficiency measures also reduce mold and dampness, which can reduce cases of asthma and other respiratory diseases.
Additionally, energy efficiency is more cost-effective than bill assistance and saves on company costs associated with arrearages, disconnections, and other issues associated with unaffordably high energy bills. This creates utility savings system wide that can help bring down everyone’s bills.
Appalachian Power’s electricity bills for the average customer have increased by 35% since 2021, mostly due to volatile fuel costs. The average residential customer is now paying $45 more per month on electricity than they were in 2021 for no extra service. High energy efficiency targets will help ensure that Appalachian Power invests in energy efficiency programs for customers, which not only helps customers permanently lower their electricity bills, but also permanently lower demand for unpredictably priced fossil fuels.
This is the time when Appalachian Power should be increasing their energy efficiency program offerings to customers, not shrinking them.
Tell the SCC you want to save money on your utility bills while making your home safer, healthier, and more comfortable. Tell the SCC you want Appalachian Power to spend your money on increasing its energy efficiency savings, not on costly fossil fuels that will drive up your bills. And if you’re an Appalachian Power customer who didn’t know about available energy efficiency savings programs, make sure you let the SCC know. Or if you did know about their programs but found them confusing, too hard to navigate, or lacking, share your story with the SCC. Remind the SCC that the cheapest and cleanest energy is the energy we don’t use!
You can submit your comments HERE before the October 28 deadline!
