Planning for Integrated Energy Efficiency Programs Putting ENERGY STAR Programs at Work

Did you know that the Federal ENERGY STAR® Program provides numerous partnership opportunities for states looking to design and implement energy efficiency programs on a localized, regional, or statewide basis? In addition to assistance with preliminary design, the ENERGY STAR program is ready to work with your state as you consider expanding current offerings, or integrate new programs with public benefit funding.

An integrated program goes beyond combining your state's energy efficiency efforts into one bundle of products and services. A truly integrated program builds off of the experiences and findings of other states, taking full advantage of advice and lessons learned, while incorporating successful elements of other similar programs. In addition, a successfully integrated program will also seek to maximize existing state resources by capitalizing on successful program elements available on a national level.

States embarking on public benefit programming efforts have faced new challenges. Beyond tailoring programs to meet the needs of their residents, businesses, and local governments, public benefit programs are generally being designed in coordination with, or in lieu of utility offerings. The addition of so many stakeholders to the process adds varied interests and priorities. Building from successful existing programs may help satisfy varied representation, and will provide valid, quantifiable results to share with legislators and other decision makers.

Even before program-funding levels are determined-as is the case in many states with pending public benefit funding decisions-there are resources available to help states begin the planning process and design program proposals. States that have pursued major efficiency programming efforts have reported the need for assistance in four general areas: policy development, technical assistance, metrics, and marketing. In an effort to help states address these areas, the ENERGY STAR program offers hands-on assistance to help supplement the resources available in your state's Energy Office. A brief summary of the types of information available through the ENERGY STAR program follows:

Policy Guidance

The first step is for program managers to determine the audience the program will serve, and make decisions about what the overall program should look and feel like. Decide whether the state is interested in resource acquisition, or a broader goal like market transformation. States should also make decisions about program tools, like incentives, and create policy positions up- front, which will help guide the program design and implementation phase of the project. ENERGY STAR can help states work through policy options as decisions about program tools are made. Examples of programs meeting a variety of policy goals are in place at the national level through ENERGY STAR, and information and data on all of these programs is available to interested states.

Technical Assistance

Most states do not have access to the time, resources, funding, or expertise it takes to design, implement, and monitor a large-scale energy efficiency program. It is for these reasons that many states opt to contract with the private sector for the delivery of various components of their programs. One way to augment your in-house team is through a partnership with ENERGY STAR. ENERGY STAR professionals are available to provide states with technical assistance as needed in all areas of efficiency programming through the ENERGY STAR label.

Metrics

The ENERGY STAR program utilizes several ratings and metrics programs, which are all in place on the national level. These tools help partners gauge the efficiency of their energy choices, and help program participants ascertain their level of efficiency as compared with similar participants in other locations. As a program partner, you state would be able to enroll participants into your programs, and measure their success on several metrics through ENERGY STAR rating tools. Statewide, regional, and national comparisons are possible because ENERGY STAR collects the same information from partners across the country, ensuring consistent recording methods and methodologies.

Marketing

Many states have struggled with the importance of marketing energy efficiency programs. While is has been well demonstrated that a comprehensive marketing program is a requirement for a successful energy efficiency campaign, the division of funds for programs are carefully scrutinized by both legislators and stakeholders. States must find a way to balance the needs of the program, while maximizing dollars spent on program delivery for the residents and businesses of the state. Partnering with ENERGY STAR can help alleviate these pressures for states. ENERGY STAR has a wide variety of marketing tools and messages available for use by states in coordination with an ENERGY STAR program. These materials have been researched and field-tested for their energy message. The ENERGY STAR program will work with states to help tailor these materials to meet the needs of individual states or regions.

States with additional needs should contact the ENERGY STAR Program at www.energystar.gov. Partnerships exist on a variety of levels, and are formed specifically to help meet the individual needs of each state

CREATING AN INTEGRATED PROGRAM WITH ENERGY STAR A PARTNERSHIP CHECKLIST

The ENERGY STAR Program would like to partner with your state's energy efficiency efforts. Whether your program is in the design phase, the implementation phase, or an item pending legislative review, partnership opportunities exist with the ENERGY STAR Program. It's never too early or too late to plan for innovative, effective, and comprehensive energy efficiency programs in your state. ENERGY STAR offers the following checklist of items to consider as your state plans for efficiency:

• Visit www.energystar.gov. Research program possibilities and review current program partners. This link will also detail some of the benefits of forming an ENERGY STAR partnership-from marketing assistance to metrics and rating tools-all available to partners on a national level.
• Find other states implementing similar programs, either structurally, or with the same type of funding source through the ENERGY STAR link. Along with a multitude of programming ideas, there is a lot to be learned from the experiences of other states, which may help your state confront your unique programming challenges.
• Contact the ENERGY STAR resource center to discuss partnership possibilities. The program staff is willing to work with state energy offices individually to tailor program offerings; meeting the needs of each state.
• If you are dedicated to the idea of ENERGY STAR programs in your state, but contracting for your program design and implementation, specify the provision of ENERGY STAR in your state's program requests for proposals.
• Connect your marketing team with the ENERGY STAR team. The ENERGY STAR program has substantial marketing resources and materials already developed, market-tested, and available for your use. Leveraging these existing resources will help your state pursue marketing goals while minimizing program funds used for this purpose.
• Consider metrics. How would you like to measure the success of your program? What will decision-makers in your state look for when analyzing program costs versus benefits? Review the ENERGY STAR ratings metrics to learn how these existing tools may benefit your state.
• Identify your program's stakeholders. Develop program guidelines in consultation with stakeholders (e.g. use a working group) to help ensure all interested parties feel included in the planning process. Commit to updating these groups regularly and seek public opinion. Using nationally recognized programs may help your state reach a workable middle-group with a variety of interest groups.
• Decide if you would like to have a regional component to your public benefits program. If the answer is yes, ENERGY STAR can help coordinate and create effective programming opportunities and campaigns that span across state lines. ENERGY STAR can work with states individually and regionally to determine branding strategies and maximize program offerings, spreading the message of energy efficiency even further.