$4 Billion in Energy Efficiency Funds

Community Programs or Utility Overhead?

Home Energy Audits           High Administrative Costs?

Lower Monthly Bills     or      Slick Marketing Mailings?

 Home Weatherization              Stockholder Incentives?

Green Community Jobs          New Executive Bonuses?

Don’t miss your opportunity to voice the Energy Efficiency needs of your family and community at an official Public Participation Hearing sponsored by the California Public Utilities Commission.  Let Commissioner Dian Grueneich know what you want in the 2009-2011 Energy Efficiency Plans submitted by SDG&E.

Public Hearings on Energy Efficiency

Tuesday, June 2

2:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Al Bahr Shriners Center

5440 Kearny Mesa Road • San Diego

For more information and to sign up to speak at this event, please contact Faith Bautista at

Mabuhay Alliance at 858-586-7382.

Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet 5/11/09

2009-2011 Energy Efficiency Program Plans

Utility-Managed Energy Efficiency programs are funded through a fee collected on every monthly electric and gas bill from customers of the four Invester–Owned Utilities: Edison, SoCal Gas, SDG&E, and PG&E.  The four utilities propose to collect and spend $4 .2 billion for energy efficiency during 2009–2011.  Edison’s share is $1.34 billion.  SoCal’s share is $542 million.  SDG&E’s share is $514 million.

Stockholder Incentives

The CPUC awarded $82 million in unearned stockholder bonuses to Edison, SoCal Gas, SDG&E, and PG&E even though the CPUC Energy Division staff conducted an independent study documenting that the utilities had failed to achieve their Energy Efficiency performance benchmarks for the 2006–2007 program.  SoCal Gas was the only company who received a passing grade and earned $3.6 million in bonuses. The utilities have never returned the $78 million overpayment to ratepayers.

Administrative Overhead

Only 60 cents out of every ratepayer dollar for the 2009-2011 Energy Efficiency programs will be used to make higher efficiency equipment and appliances more affordable through rebates and other forms of cash incentives. 40% of the $4.2 billion will be spent on utility administration and general overhead, marketing and outreach, and other labor costs such as rebate processing.

Home Energy Audits

Utility companies have not prioritized on–site Home Energy Audits, which help homeowners, renters, and small businesses identify low-cost solutions that yield large energy savings, as a regular part of the Energy Efficiency program.

Home Weatherization

Utility companies have not prioritized weatherization, which helps to retain heat in the winter and cool in the summer—drastically reducing heating and air conditioning bills, as a regular part of the Energy Efficiency program.

Community Economic Development

Utility companies have done little to partner with community-based organizations and minority-owned contractors to provide Energy Efficiency services in low-income communities where they are based and have earned the trust and confidence of residents.

Green Community Jobs

Utility companies have done little to create and promote green jobs in low-income communities installing weatherization or conducting energy audits as part of their Energy Efficiency program.  Energy Efficiency programs have a tremendous potential to provide green job opportunities in communities most in need of these programs.

Energy Efficient Flyer