Texas Policy
90th SPEER Legislative Priorities
Energy Efficiency in Texas
In 1999, Texas was the first state in the country to establish an energy efficiency resource standard (EERS). However, since then Texas has seen its ranking on demand reductions goals drop far behind other states with similar policies. The most recent changes to the Texas goal were in 2012 and established the Texas EERS goal to be 30% reduction of load growth for investor-owned utilities (IOU) and once that is met the goal changes to 0.4% of peak demand for the IOU. Texas’ annual electricity as a percent of state energy sales is also last in the nation, a full percentage point behind the national average. SPEER believes improved energy efficiency goals can significantly reduce total demand on the grid and help all Texans keep the power on.
Texas Policy Reports
SPEER has published a series of brief reports that examined the history of the IOU energy efficiency programs and policies dating back to 2002. The series summarizes the impacts of energy efficiency programs, the regulations and rules shaping those programs, and the effects of changes that have been made to the programs over the years. This series, found here, offers policymakers, academics, and other energy efficiency stakeholders a clear, objective look at significant aspects of IOU energy efficiency programs in Texas.
Texas Legislative Archive
SPEER Public Comments