Two states in the Southeast U.S. are moving to step up their
energy efficiency mandates by taking lessons from programs in Arkansas.
Widely believed to be the first initiative in the Southeast
to decouple utility revenues from power sales, Arkansas’ success to date is serving
as proof that such regulations can benefit ratepayers and utilities while
creating new energy efficiency jobs.
Mississippi and Louisiana are the latest states to seriously
consider such incentives aimed at utility programs that can save electricity
and natural gas ratepayers’ money. The catch: much as they do with plans to
generate more power with new generating plants, these states are assessing how
best to allow utilities to profit by cutting customers’ energy usage.
