Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC)

Pursuant to G.L. c. 25, §22, as set forth in the Green Communities Act, the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (“EEAC”) is charged with reviewing the state’s investor-owned electric and gas utilities' (Program Administrators or "PAs") energy efficiency investment plans and budgets (collectively, the “Three-Year Plan”), which is prepared in coordination with the EEAC. The PAs develop the statewide plan, which includes savings and spending targets, implementation strategies, and descriptions of the various initiatives that serve residents and businesses. Once the EEAC has reviewed and approved the plan, they work with the PAs on implementation.

The EEAC and Three-Year Plan system were set in place by the Green Communities Act (GCA) of 2008. The GCA requires that the state's investor-owned utilities and the Cape Light Compact prepare energy efficiency plans that will "provide for the acquisition of all available energy efficiency and demand reduction resources that are cost-effective or less expensive than supply."

The Department of Public Utilities appoints Council members who serve for five-year terms. The Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) chairs the Council, which is supported by DOER staff. Councilors represent a diverse array of important stakeholders. More information on the EEAC and Council members can be found on the EEAC website.

The Council's approval of the utilities' 2019-2021 Three-Year Plan came after dozens of workshops, listening sessions, public meetings, and public comments as well as thousands of work hours by Councilors, DOER staff, and energy efficiency program administrators.

The 2019-2021 Three-Year Plan features aggressive energy efficiency and demand reduction goals to be reached through new initiatives and enhancements to existing delivery models. Once implemented, the Plan is projected to generate  $8.6 billion in economic benefits from a planned investment of $2.795 billion. To view the 2019-2021 Three-Year Plan, visit the EEAC website.

The EEAC website documents the EEAC's meetings and milestones.

If you have any questions regarding the EEAC, or if you would like to provide public comment, please email MA-EEAC@mass.gov.