by Rebecca Walker — February 26, 2010—U.S. utilities increased their spending on energy efficiency programs by 43 percent in 2009, according to a new report from the nonprofit Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), which represents energy efficiency program administrators from across the United States and Canada.
U.S. utility spending on energy efficiency programs reached $5.3 billion, including $4.4 billion for electric energy efficiency programs and $930 million for natural gas programs. Spending on natural gas programs increased the most, at 79 percent, while electric programs increased by 38 percent. Utility energy efficiency programs also expanded geographically, as such programs are now offered in 46 states, compared to only 37 states in 2008.
The CEE report notes that electric energy efficiency spending grew the fastest in the Southeast and South Central states, with a 76 percent increase to $800 million in 2009.
The report calls for new, more aggressive policies by the United States to help speed energy technology improvements and lower the long-term costs of cutting GHG emissions. For more information, see the report.
