Midwest Natural Gas Initiative (2005-2007)
MEEA facilitated the Midwest Natural Gas Initiative, a cooperative initiative by Midwest states to develop a regional plan for energy efficiency. Individual activity at the state level is laying the groundwork for this regional initiative. It was the first time a critical mass of policymakers in the Midwest came together to recognize the value of energy efficiency policies on an individual state basis as well as at the regional level.
The goal of the Midwest Natural Gas Initiative was to coordinate a cooperative effort by policy makers in eight Midwest states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin) to develop a regional energy efficiency strategy to decrease natural gas consumption by 1% per year for five years. This unique multi-state effort brought together representatives from the governors' offices, public service commissions, state energy offices, consumer counsels, and the advocacy community to design a flexible, regional approach to energy efficiency.
The members of the Initiative believed that natural gas and electricity consumption are intimately linked. They believed that as natural gas prices continue to increase, energy efficiency gains in the electric and natural gas sectors can play a role in the short-term to help manage consumer bills and put downward pressure on prices. The natural gas crisis galvanized Midwest policy makers to respond with increases in energy efficiency to provide both short- and long-term benefits.
The Midwest Natural Gas Initiative is no longer an active MEEA Policy Initiative. Archival material from the MWNGI will be made available here as it is extracted from the previous version of MEEA's website.
