USGBC Louisiana 2017 Green Report Online

Energy Efficiency
ENERGY STAR
One of the most recognizable consumer labels for home
purchases is ENERGY STAR, a U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program that helps
businesses and individuals save money and protect our
environment through superior energy efficiency.
The ENERGY STAR program was established by EPA in
1992, under the authority of the Clean Air Act Section
103(g). Section103(g) of the Clean Air Act directs the
Administrator to "conduct a basic engineering research and
technology program to develop, evaluate, and demonstrate
non–regulatory strategies and technologies for reducing air
pollution." With the Department of Energy, the
Environmental Protection Agency developed a program to
identify and promote energy–efficient products and
buildings in order to reduce energy consumption, improve
energy security, and reduce pollution through voluntary
labeling of or other forms of communication about products
and buildings that meet the highest energy efficiency
standards. (EPA)
Now in its 23rd year, the ENERGY STAR program has
boosted the adoption of energy efficient products,
practices, and services through valuable partnerships,
objective measurement tools, and consumer education.
Homes and commercial facilities can benchmark or track
their energy usage and become ENERGY STAR certified.
There are 115 Energy Star Certified plants and
buildings representing 26.32 million Sq. Ft. of ENERGY
STAR® Labeled Space in Louisiana.
Tracking and comparing energy use or benchmarking, is
an easy tool used to recognize opportunities for energy
savings. ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager is a free,
online tool that is widely used to recognize and improve
energy performance.
Energy use data continues to be elusive in Louisiana. The
state has no policy in place that requires utilities to release
energy use data to customers or third parties.
Utility Based Energy Incentives
Entergy New Orleans, which is regulated by the City of
New Orleans, has been offering a portfolio of energy
efficiency programs called Energy Smart since 2011.
Under request of the Public Service Commission, which
regulates all other investor-owned utilities, SWEPCO,
Cleco, and Entergy Louisiana/Gulf States began offering
energy efficiency programs for electricity customers in
2014.
Regulations
Some energy efficiency regulations have been established
but enforcement is not consistent. One example is Senate
Bill 240 (2007) which requires construction or renovation of
major state-funded facilities to be designed and built to
exceed state energy codes by at least 30%, subject to a
life-cycle cost analysis.