Press Release

PUC Releases Study Highlighting the Potential for Solar, Combined Heat and Power Technologies in Act 129 Phase III EE&C Plans

Published on 4/23/2015

Filed under: Electric Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) released and published to its website the Statewide Evaluator’s (SWE) Distributed Generation Potential Study for Pennsylvania highlighting the potential role that distributed generation technologies such as solar and combined heat and power (CHP) can play in Pennsylvania electric distribution companies’ (EDCs) Act 129 Phase III Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) Plans. 

“I am particularly excited by the study’s identification of CHP as a cost-effective measure for Pennsylvania’s EDCs going forward,” said PUC Chairman Robert F. Powelson during a statement at today’s Public Meeting. “I encourage stakeholders who plan to file comments on the Phase III EE&C Program Tentative Implementation Order to discuss how Pennsylvania EDCs can utilize CHP and the other distributed generation resources addressed in the study in their Phase III EE&C Plans. These resources can provide tremendous value to Pennsylvania utility customers while allowing EDCs to reduce energy demand in a cost-effective manner.”

Comments on the Tentative Implementation Order are due Monday, April 27, 2015. Reply Comments are due May 12, 2015. 

In May and October of 2014, the Commission hosted two en banc hearings to examine the development and application of CHP technologies in the Commonwealth.  Panelists and presenters highlighted numerous benefits and applications of CHP in Pennsylvania in the commercial and industrial sectors. As discussed in greater detail in the study, the Commonwealth can capture approximately $36 million in net benefits and a Total Resource Cost (TRC) ratio of 1.2 by securing the volume of Base Achievable CHP, in addition to the non-energy benefits to customers such as CO2 emission reductions, grid resiliency, and energy security. The Philadelphia region, in particular, presents great potential, with approximately $17 million of the achievable $36 million in net benefits possible under the Base Achievable Potential scenario. 

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility. “Like” PAPowerSwitch on Facebook for easy access to information on electric shopping.

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Docket No. M-2014-2424864

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov