Small Business Utility Advocates Push for Aggressive Energy Efficiency Efforts

Strategic Insights -

Small Business Utility Advocates (SBUA) has submitted comments to the California Public Utilities Commission urging an aggressive approach to energy efficiency and fuel substitution measures to prioritize greenhouse gas emissions reduction and equity considerations. In their opening comments on the Draft 2025 Potential and Goals (P&G) Study, SBUA supports an approach that accelerates the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and addresses climate change impacts.

Key Takeaways:

  • SBUA recommends adopting Scenario 3: Aggressive Fuel Substitution to inform the 2026-2037 goals, citing the accelerating rate of climate change impacts and the reversal of federal programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • SBUA emphasizes the need to prioritize greenhouse gas emissions reduction and equity considerations in energy efficiency efforts.
  • SBUA supports an aggressive approach to energy efficiency and fuel substitution measures to address climate change impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The SBUA submission includes responses to the Commission's questions on the proposed 2025 P&G Study.
  • The Commission has proposed three scenarios for energy efficiency potential, and SBUA recommends adopting the Aggressive Fuel Substitution scenario.

Statistics:

  • The current Federal US government has publicly stated intentions to reverse federal programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The draft 2025 P&G Study proposes three scenarios for energy efficiency potential, and SBUA recommends adopting the Aggressive Fuel Substitution scenario.

Sources:

  • Comments: BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA Order Instituting Rulemaking for Oversight Rulemaking 25-04-010 of Energy Efficiency Portfolios, Policies, Programs, and Evaluation.
  • Letter from Ted Howard, Senior Policy Analyst, Small Business Utility Advocates, to the California Public Utilities Commission, May 23, 2025.
  • Letter from Britt K. Marra, Executive Director, Small Business Utility Advocates, to the California Public Utilities Commission, May 23, 2025.