The study is meant to provide direction for CWLP to enact the most cost effective efficiency and conservation programs as part of the agreement with the Sierra Club. Projects will be paid for by sales of excess power from the new Dallman 4 power plant.
(Dallman 4 under construction in October 2007)
I didn't see it mentioned in the news stories, but the Mayor's blue-ribbon committee on city finances acknowledged the commitment to new efficiency and conservation projects in the city's agreement with the Sierra Club. In writing about wholesale power sales, the report stated:
Along with the purchase of wind power, CWLP will invest $4.8 million in energy conservation efforts as part of the City’s agreement with the Sierra Club. Effective conservation efforts will constrain growth in retail demand and preserve CWLP’s ability to sell into the wholesale market. Although the energy conservation component of the Sierra Club agreement expires in 2015, which will free up revenue for other uses, the Committee recognizes that it is good public policy to promote energy conservation in and of itself, but also to the benefit of electric customers and taxpayers. Residents of Springfield should be well aware of the value of CWLP’s generating capacity and the usefulness of electric conservation in minimizing energy costs and tax burdens in Springfield.Cool. CWLP announced today that 500 people have already participated in the refrigerator rebate and recycling program, which the RLW study identified as an area with high potential for energy savings. So, more programs like that one will provide opportunities for people to save money on their utility bill, regardless of whether there's a rate cut in the future.