California funds biggest energy efficiency plan

LOS ANGELES – California is embarking on the most aggressive energy efficiency plan among U.S. states, having earmarked $3.1 billion to retrofit homes and other programs that will cut power needs equivalent to three medium-sized power plants.

The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday unanimously approved plans by Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Gas to provide $3.1 billion in consumer rebates and other efficiency programs over the next three years.

That budget is 42 percent higher than the previous three-year plan. The state pioneered the concept of letting utilities raise rates as they spurred conservation, which still is not the case in many U.S. states.

MSNBC