Municipal Utility Energy Efficiency: Successful Examples Around the Nation

Utility energy efficiency has seen tremendous growth over the past decade, and much attention has rightfully focused on investor-owned utilities. Much less attention has been given to public power sector, even though it accounts for one-fourth of US electric sales and will need to be a key partner in achieving the nation’s energy efficiency goals. In fact, as this study highlights, there are some impressive energy efficiency accomplishments in the municipal utility sector. The report discusses information from a survey of 23 municipal utilities with strong energy efficiency records and profiles 9 of the highest-performing munis. It includes data on these utilities’ energy efficiency accomplishments (spending and savings), and identifies factors that motivated these munis to engage in aggressive energy efficiency efforts.