American Gas - March 2010 - (Page 20)

To Be The BesT Great Ideas | solutIons Wise About energy Questar Gas co.’s ThermWise conservation program has saved consumers millions. Aim high. For three years, that philosophy has guided Questar gas Co.’s approach to its energy conservation programs. And it’s working: Since 2006, the company’s ThermWise program has exceeded everyone’s expectations— largely due to a unique marketing campaign, program designers say. The conservation programs began when Utah regulators approved rate decoupling, starting in October 2006, to keep the company’s revenue stream whole. in return, regulators required Questar to launch an assertive energy conservation program. The utility, which serves 900,000 customers in Utah and southwestern Wyoming, created a comprehensive program that has inspired about 100,000 of its residential customers to participate over the past three years. Questar’s commitment to saving energy and saving its customers money has required a corresponding commitment in dollars devoted to creating and implementing a comprehensive energy efficiency program. Based on the company’s research, a budget of $6.9 million was set for the first year to pay for marketing, program management and rebates for items such as attic insulation, home energy audits, energy efficient appliances, weatherization and builder rebates. Dan Dent, Questar Gas director of demand-side management, recalls that everyone was afraid that figure might be too optimistic.March 2010 AmericAn GAs “We spent $7.4 million that first year,” he remembers. “We exceeded not only the budget, but our participation goals and our energy savings goals.” The same situation occurred the following year. The utility projected participation that would be handled with a $10.5 million budget, but skyrocketing customer interest actually required an $18 million investment. in the years ahead, consumers will reap great rewards for participating. Based on today’s natural gas prices, 2007’s $7.4 million investment will save $17 million in averted energy costs over the lifespan of that year’s conservation efforts. The lifetime benefit for 2008’s ThermWise investment of $18 million is expected to be $44.5 million, and the estimated $47.3 million for costs in 2009 is expected to achieve, over time, $130.5 million in savings. The grand total for the first three years: A $72.7 million investment is estimated to produce $192 million in energy savings over the long run—and conserve 48 million decatherm. creating a road Map for Savings customer interest and participation in Questar Gas’ energy efficiency programs soared in 2009, largely due to the economy. When the housing bubble burst, out-of-work homebuilders suddenly switched to installing more attic insulation—made especially attractive by rebates being offered by Questar and rocky mountain Power, the primary electric utility for the area. And residential customers, already struggling with job loss and declining net worth, were enamored with any program that could keep more money in their pocket. When the final figures come in for 2009, Dent says, “Our spending will be about $47 million, and i would say that $42 million or $43 million of that is residential. We’re not spendDON PORTER is a communication specialist at Questar Gas.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - March 2010

American Gas - March 2010
President’s Message
In the Know
Contents
Industry News
Safety First
To Be the Best
It All Computes
From Volatile to Variable
Vendor News
Advertisers' Index
Places to Be
Marketplace
Jobline
Noteworthies
Facts on Gas

American Gas - March 2010