(a) It is the goal of this chapter that each affected energy provider shall achieve a minimum percentage of energy savings as follows:
(1) For each affected electric energy provider, energy savings that is equivalent to 2% of the provider's 2007 electricity consumption, and coincident peak demand reduction that is equivalent to 2% of the provider's 2007 peak demand by 2011, with both of the foregoing increasing from 2% to 15% by 2015;
(2) For each affected natural gas distribution company, energy savings that is equivalent to 1% of the company's 2007 natural gas consumption by 2011, increasing to 10% by 2015.
(b) Not later than April 1 of the calendar year immediately following each reporting period:
(1) Each affected electric energy provider shall submit to the State Energy Coordinator a report, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary, demonstrating that the affected electric energy provider, in cooperation with the Sustainable Energy Utility and the Weatherization Assistance Program, has achieved cumulative energy savings (adjusted to account for any attrition of energy savings measures implemented in prior years) in the previous calendar year that are at least equal to the energy savings required by regulations adopted by the Secretary pursuant to § 1504(a) of this title.
(2) Each affected natural gas provider shall submit to the State Energy Coordinator a report, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary, demonstrating that the affected natural gas provider, in cooperation with the Sustainable Energy Utility and the Weatherization Assistance Program, has achieved cumulative energy savings (adjusted to account for any attrition of energy savings measures implemented in prior years) in the previous calendar year that are at least equal to the energy savings contained in regulations adopted by the Secretary pursuant to § 1504(a) of this title.
(c) A Workgroup shall be established to complete a study and provide recommendations during the planning and implementation of this policy.
(1) The Workgroup shall be composed of 11 members. It shall be chaired by the State Energy Coordinator and include 1 representative of each of DP&L, DEC, and Chesapeake Utilities, 1 representative appointed by the municipal electric companies, 1 representative of each of the Public Service Commission, the Public Advocate, and the SEU, and shall also include the Weatherization Assistance Program Manager and 2 members of the public with experience representing, respectively, low- and moderate- income families and environmental concerns.
(2) The workgroup shall complete a study and submit its findings to the Secretary no later than December 31, 2010, to determine the feasibility and impact of pursuing EERS goals for the affected energy providers in Delaware. Such a study at minimum must address:
a. Supporting and confirming the energy savings percentages identified for 2011 and 2015 or recommending alternative energy savings percentages if warranted.
b. The impact of implementation and compliance on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions;
c. The issue of “unintended consequences” of establishing goals for the affected energy providers, especially, for instance, where beneficial fuel switching might otherwise be penalized or compliance with the goal negatively impacts the ability of gas utilities to compete with higher carbon fuel alternatives;
d. Consideration of any EERS type goals and programs established for natural gas distribution utilities in nearby states and the measurable results of any ongoing programs in those states;
e. The evaluation of the results of any ongoing natural gas energy efficiency and conservation programs implemented and administered through the SEU or any individual natural gas distribution utility;
f. The impact of implementation and compliance on customer rates for affected energy providers;
g. The efficiency of the natural gas system relative to other energy alternatives on full-fuel-cycle measurement basis (from source to point-of-use);
h. The level of an energy efficiency charge, if any, needed to fund energy efficiency measures to meet compliance of the EERS pursuant to § 1505 of this title;
i. The step load increases or decreases caused by the connection of large, new energy consumers, such as data centers;
j. The impact of implementation and compliance on major farm, commercial, and industrial customers;
k. The appropriate level of equivalency for electricity demand response and energy efficiency measures in achieving compliance with the energy savings goals of this section;
l. The appropriate scope of equivalent energy efficiency measures; and
m. Whether the Secretary, by regulation, should permit trading of EERUs among affected energy providers;
n. Enforcement mechanism or mechanisms to be adopted by the Secretary which will ensure compliance with the EERS.
(3) The Workgroup shall create quantitative annual reduction targets in EERUs, which are consistent with the State's energy savings objectives.
(4) The Workgroup will meet at least once each year to review progress in meeting the goals and to recommend changes to the plan for meeting the quantitative reduction targets.
(5) The Secretary will reconvene the Workgroup in February 2013 to evaluate progress toward the EERS goals.