[§269-96]  Energy-efficiency portfolio
standards.  (a)  The public utilities commission shall establish
energy-efficiency portfolio standards that will maximize cost-effective
energy-efficiency programs and technologies.



(b)  The energy-efficiency portfolio standards
shall be designed to achieve four thousand three hundred gigawatt hours of
electricity use reductions statewide by 2030; provided that the commission
shall establish interim goals for electricity use reduction to be achieved by
2015, 2020, and 2025 and may also adjust the 2030 standard by rule or order to
maximize cost-effective energy-efficiency programs and technologies.



(c)  The commission may establish incentives
and penalties based on performance in achieving the energy-efficiency portfolio
standards by rule or order.



(d)  The public utilities commission shall
evaluate the energy-efficiency portfolio standard every five years, beginning
in 2013, and may revise the standard, based on the best information available
at the time, to determine if the energy-efficiency portfolio standard
established by this section remains effective and achievable.  The commission
shall report its findings and revisions to the energy-efficiency portfolio
standard, based on its own studies and other information, to the legislature no
later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2014, and
every five years thereafter.



(e)  Beginning in 2015, electric energy savings
brought about by the use of renewable displacement or off-set technologies,
including solar water heating and seawater air conditioning district cooling
systems, shall count toward this standard. [L 2009, c 155, pt of §11]