Is EE potential low in CA residences; would “cream-skimming” be a problem?
The perception is that there more likelihood of cream skimming with S.O., especially in Single Family residential programs, because you can’t mandate what they do. The perception is that it may be less of a problem in Texas because there’s less market penetration, but in CA, the budget is bigger, so the assumption is that much more has already been done and there is less overall potential, making cream skimming more important. Curiously, everyone assumes that there is much more potential in commercial/ industrial programs than in residential – because the IOUs say so. However, IOUs have focused for years on Commercial/Industrial programs (see Part 10a, “Are Current IOU programs comprehensive?”. IOUs have strong incentives to do as little energy efficiency as they can get away with in residential programs. Residential rates are higher, therefore, saving energy in this sector is more costly to utilities. IOUs utilized EE to keep commercial customers from leaving the system and going to d
The perception is that there more likelihood of cream skimming with S.O., especially in Single Family residential programs, because you can’t mandate what they do. The perception is that it may be less of a problem in Texas because there’s less market penetration, but in CA, the budget is bigger, so the assumption is that much more has already been done and there is less overall potential, making cream skimming more important. Curiously, everyone assumes that there is much more potential in commercial/ industrial programs than in residential – because the IOUs say so. However, IOUs have focused for years on Commercial/Industrial programs (see Part 10a, “Are Current IOU programs comprehensive?”. IOUs have strong incentives to do as little energy efficiency as they can get away with in residential programs. Residential rates are higher, therefore, saving energy in this sector is more costly to utilities. IOUs utilized EE to keep commercial customers from leaving the system and going to d
