Energy Efficiency Screening
Energy Efficiency Utility (EEU) Orders of Appointment require EEUs to design and implement cost-effective energy-efficiency programs. Energy-efficiency measures offered under the EEU program are screened based on the societal cost-effectiveness test. The Department of Public Service (Department) developed a cost-effectiveness screening tool for use by EEUs. The Commission requires EEUs to use this screening tool to determine that measures implemented are cost-effective.
The EEU program developed a Technical Reference Manual that serves as documentation for inputs to the cost-effectiveness screening tool. The manual provides technical descriptions of all prescriptive and some custom energy-efficiency measures. Updated annually based on work by the Technical Advisory Group, the Technical Reference Manual is maintained by Efficiency Vermont.
The Technical Advisory Group includes members of Efficiency Vermont, City of Burlington Electric Department, Vermont Gas Systems, Inc., and the Department. The Group reviews and approves the methodology and associated assumptions underlying measure-savings calculations included in the Technical Reference Manual.
EEU Avoided Costs
The EEU Process and Administration Document calls on the Department to biennially propose updates for avoided costs, externality adjustments, and other screening components for use by the EEUs when they perform cost-effectiveness screening of energy efficiency measures.
Under the process set forth in the Process and Administration Document, the Commission provides an opportunity for other interested persons to file comments and request a technical workshop before ruling on the Department’s proposed changes.
Information about approved avoided costs, externality adjustments, and other screening components can be found in ePUC by using the "All Cases" search, typing "avoided costs" in the "Case Name" field, and clicking the Search button.