There are many aspects of energy policy that influence energy efficiency, from executive orders and policy goals, to legislative mandates, and regulatory and compliance issues. MEEA provides support for policymakers that are working to advance energy efficiency, by educating policymakers at all levels including governors, state legislators, state agencies and boards, regulatory commissions, county and municipal executives, and municipal councils and agencies about the benefits of energy efficiency. We also strive to provide critical information and analysis to our members and advocacy allies to enlist them in the energy efficiency cause.
MEEA is actively engaged in policy efforts in states throughout our region, including efforts to adopt new policies, to implement recently-passed policy changes, and to update outdated policies. The energy policy field is dynamic and exciting, with new advances and ongoing challenges, and many places for involvement at the municipal, state, and regional level.
The policies that can be adopted to create a culture of energy efficiency and generate energy savings for a state's consumers include:
- Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS), which require utilities to invest in energy efficiency as an alternative to new supply-side options;
- Advanced Building Energy Codes, requiring that the buildings are built and renovated to be energy-efficient;
- Stringent Appliance Standards, that regulate the energy use of products that get used inside of residences and businesses; and
- Financial Incentives and other fiscal measures that help consumers with the up-front costs of adopting energy saving technologies that save them money over time.
