Over the past two years, CPS Energy’s energy efficiency program in San Antonio has made significant strides, saving a notable 216 megawatts of energy—enough to power approximately 54,000 homes during peak summer days. The initiative, which was extended for another five years in 2021, has a robust track record, having saved around 1,000 megawatts since its inception in 2009. Originally known as the STEP program, it focused on reducing local energy demand through various measures such as weatherizing homes, promoting participation in thermostat energy demand response programs, and offering subsidies for rooftop solar panels. The current extension broadens the program’s scope, including weatherization for multifamily residences, more options for community solar purchases, commercial solar incentives, and exploring battery storage solutions. With a substantial investment of approximately $350 million, this enhanced program targets a further reduction of 410 megawatts over the next five years, which is enough to power 102,500 homes on hot days. This cost is expected to add about $3.50 to the average monthly bill of each customer over the period.
Program Success and Extended Goals
Since the program’s extension, more than 130,000 CPS Energy customers have participated in various energy-saving measures, and over 500,000 have joined demand response programs. These programs allow the utility to adjust thermostats during peak events to curtail demand, making CPS Energy the leading utility in Texas for demand response participation. The utility’s board has generally expressed satisfaction with the program’s progress. Chairwoman Janie Gonzalez, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, and Vice Chairwoman Francine Romero have all acknowledged that the plan aligns well with its intended goals. Yet, the success of these initiatives is not merely about numbers; the broader implications for the community and environment are profound, demonstrating a clear commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.
However, not all reactions to the program have been unequivocally positive. Trustee John Steen raised concerns that the program might be financially disadvantageous when compared to building a new power plant. This is a point of contention worth noting, as the significant financial outlay has led some to question whether the benefits outweigh the costs. Despite these concerns, the general consensus appears to be that the extended efficiency measures are a worthwhile investment, given their substantial impact on energy savings and community engagement. While the program’s immediate financial implications are clear, the long-term benefits of better energy efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and greater reliance on renewable energy sources are equally significant.
Geographic Disparities in Participation
Geographic participation in the program reveals a complex picture, with higher engagement in districts 3, 4, and 6 (south and southwest San Antonio) and lower participation in districts 1, 2, and 5 (east and central San Antonio). Mayor Nirenberg has called for more detailed metrics to better understand these disparities, emphasizing the need for a more equitable distribution of program benefits across the city. The differing levels of participation may be attributed to various factors, including socioeconomic conditions, levels of awareness about the program, and the availability of the necessary infrastructure to implement energy-saving measures.
These geographic disparities highlight the importance of targeted outreach and education to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to benefit from the program. Addressing these disparities is not just a matter of fairness; it is also crucial for maximizing the overall efficacy of the energy efficiency initiatives. By identifying and addressing the barriers to participation, CPS Energy can enhance the program’s impact and ensure a more inclusive approach to energy saving. This is especially important as the utility moves forward with its ambitious targets for reducing energy demand and promoting sustainability.
Financial Concerns and Investment Necessity
Over the past two years, CPS Energy’s energy efficiency program in San Antonio has made impressive progress, saving 216 megawatts of energy—sufficient to power about 54,000 homes during peak summer days. This initiative, which was extended for five more years in 2021, boasts a solid track record, having conserved roughly 1,000 megawatts since its 2009 launch. Initially called the STEP program, it aimed to lower local energy demand through various measures like home weatherization, thermostat energy demand response programs, and subsidies for rooftop solar panels. The latest extension broadens the program’s scope to include weatherizing multifamily residences, offering more community solar purchasing options, providing commercial solar incentives, and investigating battery storage solutions. With an investment of about $350 million, this enhanced program aims to cut another 410 megawatts over the next five years, enough to supply 102,500 homes on hot days. This initiative will add around $3.50 to each customer’s average monthly bill over the period.
