California plans to make “energy efficiency a way of life”

clipped from www.energyefficiencynews.com Yesterday the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) set out energy efficiency plans for the next two years that aim to make “energy efficiency a way”, according to Commissioner Dian M. Grueneich. The plans set a $3.1 billion budget for Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Southern California Gas Company – the biggest commitment ever made by a state to energy efficiency programmes. “This decision implements the goals of the California Long-Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan to make energy efficiency a way of life in California and demonstrates California’s continued leadership role in the field of energy efficiency,” says Grueneich. The funds will kickstart the new statewide residential retrofit CalSPREE programme that aims to reduce energy consumption by 20% in up to 130,000 homes by 2012.