Energy Conservation Programs

Conservation Programs

The UTC oversees the conservation services offered by the regulated energy utilities in Washington State: Avista, Cascade Natural Gas, Northwest Natural, Pacific Power, and Puget Sound Energy. This page contains background information on the development of the cost-effective conservation programs offered by each utility.

Avista

Since 1995, Avista’s conservation programs have been funded through a surcharge in rates, called a tariff rider. In 2018, the surcharge collected around $10 million in electric rates and $3 million in gas rates in Washington. Avista will capture about 45 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) and 720 thousand therms in its service area.

For more information, call Avista at 1-800-227-9187 or visit the How Avista Stays Efficient webpage.

Pacific Power

In 2000, Pacific Power established a rate surcharge called the Systems Benefits Charge (SBC) to fund its conservation programs in Washington. The SBC collected around $11 million in 2018 for programs that capture about 50 million kWh in electricity savings.

For more information, call Pacific Power at 1-888-221-7070 or visit the Conservation & Renewables webpage.

Puget Sound Energy

Since 1997, PSE has funded its conservation programs through a separate surcharge on customer bills. In 2018, the electric conservation rider will collect around $99 million for programs that capture 281 million kWh in electricity savings. The natural gas conservation rider will collect around $15 million for programs that capture about 5 million therms in natural gas savings.

For more information, call PSE at 1-800-562-1482 or visit the Energy Efficiency webpage.

Northwest Natural Gas

In 2001, Northwest Natural began implementing gas conservation programs in Washington. The company was authorized to defer the expenditures in these programs annually, with recovery through Purchased Gas Adjustment filings. In 2018, program expenditures collected around $2.5 million for natural gas savings of about 365 thousand therms.

For more information, call Northwest Natural at 1-800-422-4012 or visit the Business Practice webpage.

Cascade Natural Gas

In the fall of 2007, Cascade greatly increased its energy efficiency program options. The company was allowed to in 2002 to defer the costs in these programs each year, with recovery through the Purchased Gas Adjustment filings. In 2018, program costs collected around $5 million for natural gas energy savings of about 615 thousand therms.

For more information, visit the Conservation Plans and Reports webpage.

Historic Conservation Savings and Spending

The Energy Independence Act requires utilities to establish conservation targets every two years, starting in 2010.

Electric Conservation Program Savings and Spending

2018

Electric conservation savings and spending
Utility	Savings (MWh)	Spending
Avista	46,260	$15,418,877
Pacific Power	52,189	$10,172,684
PSE	299,918	$91,086,596
Total	398,367	$116,678,157

2019

Electric conservation savings and spending
Utility	Savings (MWh)	Spending
Avista	47,492	$16,289,405
Pacific Power	42,476	$9,393,295
PSE	235,554	$73,398,438
Total	325,522	$99,081,138

2020

Electric conservation savings and spending
Utility	Savings (MWh)	Spending
Avista	32,593	$10,871,059
Pacific Power	45,955	$10,840,492
PSE	221,001	$67,290,592
Total	299,549	$89,002,143

2021

Electric conservation savings and spending
Utility	Savings (MWh)	Spending
Avista	50,205	$16,045,523
Pacific Power	43,776	$14,642,787
PSE	208,965	$102,700,629
Total	302,946	$133,388,939

2022

Electric conservation savings and spending
Utility	Savings (MWh)	Spending
Avista	23,021	$10,246,720
Pacific Power	34,052	$13,759,344
PSE	244,343	$99,157,281
Total	301,416	$109,404,001

2023

Electric conservation savings and spending
Utility	Savings (MWh)	Spending
Avista	71,000	$29,600,000
Pacific Power	56,000	$22,600,000
PSE	252,000	$122,800,000
Total	379,000	$175,000,000

Natural Gas Conservation Program Savings and Spending