Integrating Energy Efficiency 

& Renewable Energy with 

Air Quality Standards

Robyn DeYoung

U.S. EPA

November 17, 2011
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 Utilizing EE/RE policies and programs to improve 

air quality

 Overview of EPA’s State Climate and Energy 

program

 Analytical resources to incorporate EE/RE in State 

Implementation Plans (SIPs)

 Estimate energy impacts of EE/RE policies

 Baseline emissions projections through 2030

 Link to the EE/RE manual

 Outreach efforts

Today’s Presentation
EE/RE Policies and Programs as a Strategy 

for Air Quality Improvement

Many states are aggressively pursuing EE policies

 EE can deliver multiple benefits 

 Lower electricity costs

 Improved electricity reliability

 Lower ratepayer bills AND

 Cleaner air

 EE increasing credibility as a reliable energy resource

EPA is taking steps to help

 Including EE/RE in the compliance toolbox for air regulators

 Developing resources and analyses that helps states link air/energy 

goals

 Advancing a training/outreach program to further cross-agency 

collaboration, understanding and action

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U.S. EPA’s State and Local Climate & 

Energy Program

We provide tools, resources and case studies:

 EE/RE policy best practices and action steps

 Measuring energy impacts of EE/RE policies as well as 

emissions, climate, and economic co-benefits

 State-to-state peer exchanges

 Direct assistance through trainings

http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate
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Background

 Recognized missed opportunities to reflect state policies 

not currently in Energy Information Administration's (EIA) 

Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) projections

 Investigated: What EE/RE policies are currently accounted 

for in the AEO 2010 forecast

 Found that: Some EE/RE policies are already accounted for 

some are not reflected, but could be added.

 Established straightforward approach to capture EE/RE 

impacts

 Plan to analyze electric power sector emissions using 

Integrated Planning Model (IPM)

 Ultimate goal: Help states incorporate on-the-books

EE/RE policies in SIP baseline emissions projections

Analysis of Projected Emissions Impacts 

of EE/RE Policies, State-by-State 
Applicable EE/RE Policy Assumptions Explicitly 

Included and Not Included in AEO 2010

• American Recovery and 

Reinvestment Act (ARRA) 

funded EE programs

• Federal appliance standards

• State building codes

• Renewable portfolio 

standards for 30 states and 

DC as of Sep. 2009

EE/RE 

Policies 

Explicitly 

Accounted 

for in AEO 

2010

• Energy Efficiency Resource 

Standards (25 states)

• Other Ratepayer funded EE 

programs (3 states*)

• EE/RE programs funded 

through RGGI (3 states*)

• Newly adopted State RPS 

after Sep. 2009 (5 states)

Existing 

State EE/RE 

Policies NOT 

Explicitly 

Accounted 

for in AEO 

2010

* Only includes states without EERS 6

Criteria for analyzing policies:

•They are not already accounted

for in forecast

•The policy was adopted in state 

legislation or Public Utility 

Commission Order (on-thebooks)
States Included in Analysis with EE/RE Policies 

Not Explicitly Accounted for in AEO 2010

 Arizona

 Arkansas

 California

 Colorado

 Connecticut

 Delaware

 Florida

 Hawaii

 Illinois

 Indiana

 Iowa

 Maine

 Maryland

 Massachusetts

 Michigan

 Minnesota

 Montana

 New Hampshire

 New Jersey

 New Mexico

 New York

 Ohio

 Oregon

 Pennsylvania

 Rhode Island

 Texas

 Vermont

 Washington

 Wisconsin

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Process completed:

 Screened 50 States to collect details of EE/RE policies

 Developed methodology to quantify energy impacts from 

selected policies

 Projected energy impacts through 2030 based on what 

the law requires

Findings: 

 Existing state EE policies reduce demand ~ 3% by 2020

 Comment period yielded important feedback from states 

and energy experts

Analysis of Projected Energy Impacts of 

EE/RE Policies, State-by-State
Draft Documents - Analysis of Projected Energy 

Impacts of EE/RE Policies, State-by-State

1) Background and EPA’s draft methodology for 

estimating energy impacts

2) State policy characterizations and annual energy 

savings and generation estimates

3) Peak energy savings summaries

4) State-by-state summary pages

Available at: 

http://epa.gov/statelocalclimate/state/statepolicies.html

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Baseline Emissions Projections through 2030

Analysis of Projected Emissions Impacts 

of EE/RE Policies, State-by-State

 Emission

projections*

using the 

Integrated 

Planning Model 

(IPM)

EPA will translate 

energy impacts of 

State EE/RE 

policies not 

includes in AEO 

2010 forecast

* Emissions include carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur 

dioxide (SO2) and mercury (Hg)

 Emission results can be used for SIP baseline 

emission projections and Air Quality modeling

 States can use this information for their own 

analysis when conducting their SIP baseline 

forecasts.
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 Added Value to the EE/RE SIP 

Roadmap:

 Illuminate EE/RE policy opportunities for 

States interested in the SIP baseline 

emissions projection pathway

 Provide a methodology for estimating energy 

impacts of EE/RE policies

 Understand the magnitude of emission 

reductions of existing state EE/RE policies

 Save state air agencies resources 

Link to “Roadmap for Incorporating EE/RE Policies and 

Programs into State Implementation Plans/Tribal 

Implementation Plans”
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Goal: Increase state air regulators’ capacity by helping 

them:

 Understand options, address barriers and bridge 

information gaps between air and energy terminology

 Bolster implementation – to account for EE/RE policies 

and program in SIPs.

 Collaborate with state energy agencies to explore 

common goals and data sharing needs

Coming Soon!

 Clean Energy – Air Quality web page

 Workshops for State Energy and Air Regulators with 

States in interested Regions

Outreach Efforts
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Robyn DeYoung

U.S. EPA State Climate and Energy 

Program

202-343-9080

Deyoung.robyn@epa.gov

Thank you!