FORT COLLINS, Colo., – About 1,700 homes and 500 businesses in Northern Colorado cut carbon emissions by more than 6,800 tons by working together on various programs and initiatives, said a news release from the Platte River Power Authority.
Efficiency Works is a collaboration of utility efficiency programs for Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, and is managed by Platte River Power, the wholesale electricity provider for these communities.
Over the last decade, Efficiency Works programs have invested nearly $80 million in the owner communities by offering carbon reduction incentives, home and business assessments, energy advising and more.
“I'm proud of the significant strides made by Efficiency Works in 2023,” said Raj Singam Setti, chief operating officer for innovation and resource strategy integration in the release. “Through collaboration with our owner communities, we have incentivized residences and businesses to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions while reinvesting millions in our owner communities over the past decade.”
Efficiency Works expanded its offerings in 2023 beyond traditional energy efficiency programs to help customers contribute to the region’s energy transition. This expansion included shifting residential initiatives toward building electrification to help customers transition from natural gas to electricity for heating purposes. They also expanded customer information on electric vehicles (EVs) and introduced an EV public charger incentive for commercial customers.
Efficiency Works programs and staff also increased their focus on serving income-qualified customers through innovative partnerships, resulting in a 3.5-fold increase in available funds for investment in vulnerable households.Since Platte River’s owner communities combined efforts to form Efficiency Works in 2014, commercial and residential customers have reduced their electric usage by more than 215,000 megawatt hours, equivalent to the average annual energy consumption of nearly 25,000 homes in the owner communities or reducing carbon emission by over 113,000 tons.
Successful programs from 2023 will serve as the foundation for programs in 2024, creating opportunities to help customers integrate energy resources and technologies into the virtual power plant (VPP) that is currently under development.
“Last year's expansion into building electrification and enhanced focus on serving income-qualified customers demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and equity,” added Setti. “Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to guiding customers toward efficient energy usage and embracing emerging technologies like EVs, ensuring a greener, more resilient energy future.”
Efficiency Works programs are available to residential or commercial customers of Estes Park Power and Communications, Fort Collins Utilities, Longmont Power & Communications and Loveland Water and Power. To learn more about how you can participate, contact your utility or visit www.EfficiencyWorks.org.
.jpg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
