The Facts

  • Between 2002 and 2011, the total cost of the energy efficiency program has been $591 million, and the cost increases as the program expands.
  • The state’s energy efficiency program cannot be justified through the cost-benefit method currently employed by the PUC,
  • since the method does not accurately measure the full costs of the program. 
  • Increases in the goals of energy efficiency programs make them less efficient.

 

Recommendations

  • Eliminate the state energy efficiency program.
  • If the state’s energy efficiency program remains in existence, change the way the state evaluates it to encompass all the costs (including those to the program, consumers, and the Texas economy) involved with energy efficiency.
  • Any future increases to the program’s goals should be closely examined to ensure that they will reduce the cost of energy use.