PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
May 26, 2011

Contacts:
Nolan Moser, Ohio Environmental Council, (614) 446-1693

Energy Efficiency Programs Saving Ohio Consumers Millions - Alternative is Expensive New Generation, Higher Bills

Ohio's Energy Efficiency Programs leave money in the pockets of residential, industrial, and commercial energy customers

Columbus, OH - Today, new customer savings figures released by energy experts and environmental advocates show that energy efficiency programs are the cheapest and cleanest way to serve Ohio's energy needs.

By establishing energy efficiency programs for residential, commercial and industrial customers, Ohio utilities saved consumers a collective $56 million between 2009 and 2010, over and above the cost to run the programs.

Ohio Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet

Additionally, energy efficiency programs implemented by three of the our major public utilities significantly reduced demand on electric generation, collectively saving enough electricity to power 181,000 homes for one year.

For the average citizen, the savings can be dramatic. The analysis, compiled by experts with decades of experience in energy policy, demonstrates that for each $1 that American Electric Power, Duke Energy and Dayton Power & Light spent on energy efficiency programs, customers will save $4.70 over the lifetime of the implemented technologies.

By the end of this year, energy saved through the efficiency standard will be outpacing Ohio's expected average annual growth in electric consumption.

"Ohio's landmark energy law is working," Said Martin Kushler, Ph.D, a Senior Fellow at ACEEE. "These savings created in 2010 will continue every year for years to come, a money and energy-saving dividend for the people of the state of Ohio."

In 2008, Senate Bill 221 was enacted with wide bipartisan support and required utilities to deploy cost-effective energy efficiency programs. These programs will save consumers an increasing amount of energy each year through 2025. By law and rule, the energy efficiency programs must cost significantly less than the electricity that is saved. Accordingly, every utility's program is saving utility customers more than it costs.

"These early numbers are very impressive," noted Dylan Sullivan, Energy Associate for NRDC. "Over the life of the measures these early programs are likely to save customers in excess of three-quarter of a billion dollars - and this is just the beginning. Program goals increase over time."

Energy Efficiency programs provided by utilities under the law are available to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Typical programs help customers easily dispose of old, inefficient refrigerators, provide incentives for new efficient appliances, provide customers easy access to comprehensive home retrofits, and help businesses update lighting systems and modernize production processes.

"Advising our customers on how to save energy is what we do," stated John Seryak, President and CEO of Go Sustainable Energy, a Columbus-based business that advises commercial and industrial facilities on energy efficiency in Ohio. "Ohio's energy efficiency policies allow us to help save industrial and commercial utility customers money - that means more dollars for production, profit, and jobs."

In addition to significant savings for consumers, energy efficiency standard has made a tremendous impact on job creation. Over 1,300 businesses in Ohio are active in the efficiency industry, either through providing weatherization services, manufacturing components for the efficiency industry or selling energy-saving products.

By 2025, Ohio's investments in the energy efficiency programs can create upwards of 32,000 new jobs.

"With a rich history in manufacturing and entrepreneurial innovation, Ohio is a natural fit for growing a new energy efficiency industry," observed Nolan Moser, Director of Energy and Clean Air Programs for the Ohio Environmental Council. "I can't think of a better way to reduce air emissions than putting Ohioans to work making our homes and businesses more efficient."

In addition to the direct impact to economic development, efficiency programs help to free up resources that Ohio families can spend elsewhere in their local economy. "Utility energy efficiency programs are like a tax cut for every one of Ohio's electricity users," said Tara Santarelli of ELPC. "Without SB 221, Ohioans would see bigger utility bills."

The energy savings -both in terms of money saved for Ohio customers and savings in electric generation-created by Senate Bill 221 will extend far into to the future. "As measures installed in 2009 and 2010 continue to save customers money across our state," commented Jennifer Miller, Conservation Program Manager for the Sierra Club, "Ohioans can expect cleaner air and more job opportunities-both of which are a great boost to Ohio."

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This information presented in collaboration with the NRDC, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the Sierra Club, and the Environmental Law & Policy Center.