virginia_cpp_letter_3.2.16-bcc4ad55b9873a89.pdf

A coalition of organizations wrote to Governor Terry McAuliffe of Virginia on March 2, 2016, advocating for the maximization of energy efficiency investments to comply with the Clean Power Plan. The authors argue that efficiency is the lowest-cost demand-side resource and can provide rapid emissions reductions while creating local jobs. They specifically recommend that Virginia opt into the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP) and utilize non-utility programs such as energy savings performance contracts and updated building energy codes. According to the letter, implementing a set of common efficiency policies could meet 85 percent of Virginia's 2030 compliance limit, potentially saving the state over $1.8 billion and avoiding more than 7 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution.

• Energy efficiency is identified as the most economical demand-side energy resource, costing less than renewables or electric and gas generation. It is described as the fastest and cheapest method to meet energy demand and improve air quality through residential upgrades, commercial building energy reduction, and improved manufacturing efficiency.
• The authors suggest that Virginia can achieve significant cost and emissions reductions through non-utility administered programs. Examples include residential retrofit financing, the procurement of energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs)—a market that generates over $5 billion annually in the U.S.—combined heat and power generation, and the adoption of building energy codes with green building certification.
• The letter recommends that Virginia opt into the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP) to maximize cost-effective emissions reductions. It claims that adopting specific policies, such as energy-savings targets and updated building codes, could meet 85 percent of the state's 2030 compliance limit under the Clean Power Plan.
• Utilizing efficiency measures to reach state goals is estimated to save Virginians more than $1.8 billion and prevent the emission of over 7 million tons of carbon dioxide, while also reducing other toxic air pollutants.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (2016). virginia_cpp_letter_3.2.16-bcc4ad55b9873a89.pdf. https://www.eesi.org/files/Virginia_CPP_Letter_3.2.16.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. virginia_cpp_letter_3.2.16-bcc4ad55b9873a89.pdf. 2016. https://www.eesi.org/files/Virginia_CPP_Letter_3.2.16.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=virginia_cpp_letter_3.2.16-bcc4ad55b9873a89.pdf |date=2 March 2016 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/Virginia_CPP_Letter_3.2.16.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{environmentalandenergystudyinstitute2016virginiacppletter3216bcc4ad55b9873a89pdf, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{virginia\_cpp\_letter\_3.2.16-bcc4ad55b9873a89.pdf}}, publisher = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2016}, month = mar, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/Virginia_CPP_Letter_3.2.16.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }