CPUC Workshops 1 & 2 on Long Term Energy Efficiency Resource Planning (continued)

Agenda and Topics for Workshop #2 - Customer Needs

This ruling schedules a second workshop for December 15, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., and also solicits pre-workshop comments in order to select speakers and also to aid in structuring the agenda. This workshop has been scheduled for mid-December in order to allow for outreach to the various types of customers the CPUC desires to hear from. It is intended to go beyond the service list in this proceeding, and as such, provides parties more time in order to prepare for this workshop.

The purpose of this workshop is to create a forum where various types of customers who may or may not invest in energy efficiency can openly discuss their specific customer needs with respect to energy efficiency, the barriers they see to successful program implementation, and the reasons for the lack of participation in energy efficiency programs. The ultimate goal is to better understand how the state and its program administrators should improve efforts to effectively reach customers who are likely to save energy, money and or receive other benefit from participating in energy efficiency programs. The AC seeks to reach out to these individuals, small businesses, local governments, community-based organizations, commercial businesses and industrial businesses to hear their perspective on how to best achieve this goal. These findings will impact how the CPUC makes future policy decisions in this proceeding.

At the second workshop, the AC hopes to hear from a wide variety of energy users, as well as those who bring energy-related products and services to the market, about how to tailor programs and services to increase energy efficiency adoption, as measured by program or market participation and investments. The workshop will consider how and whether regulatory, legal, institutional and marketing factors have prevented customers from investing in energy efficiency. The workshop will also explore how state agencies could facilitate increased private sector investment in energy efficiency. In that context, the workshop will address strategies that have successfully promoted long-term energy efficiency investments.

The format of the workshop will differ from the first in that the AC would like to create a more interactive and focused discussion of the issues, as well as hear from other parties not selected to be speakers. An agenda will be issued before the workshop. If you are unable to attend the workshop, you are strongly encouraged to participate by way of written comments.

Questions For Workshop #2 on Customer Needs

Parties may answer any or all of the following questions:

1. Are you aware of the variety of energy efficiency programs offered by the investor owned utilities or through the state? If so, have you participated in any of these programs? If not, what could be done to make it easier for you to become aware of state energy efficiency programs?
2. For those of you who have participated in an energy efficiency program, how would you describe your experience in the program? Did the program meet your expectations?
3. What investments have you, your constituency or your company made to make your facility or business more energy efficient and what factors drove or motivated these investments?
4. If you, your constituency or your company has not invested in cost effective energy saving measures, please describe why. Address regulatory, financial, legal, information, institutional and other possible barriers to energy efficiency investment.
5. Which information sources, technical services and/or financial incentives have been most successful in motivating investments in energy efficiency and why?
6. How can government-funded programs improve energy efficiency in schools, hospitals and government buildings?
7. How can we improve coordination between government, manufacturers, program providers, and customers to promote customer interest and investment in more energy efficient technologies or practices?
8. How can government-funded programs go beyond the efficiency levels required by current government standards to increase energy efficiency in new construction, while still meeting public needs and functional energy requirements?
9. What other questions, if any, should the Commission consider as part of the agenda for this Customer Needs workshop?

Parties may file pre-workshop statements that answer these questions no later than December 5, 2003. Statements should be no longer than 10 pages. Parties should serve their statements electronically on the proceeding service list. Parties' comments will inform the workshop agenda.

If you have any questions concerning the workshop, please contact Lainie Motamedi at lrm@cpuc.ca.gov.

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