Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS) Overview

An Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS) is a flexible mechanism to ensure that utilities adopt energy efficiency as a clean, cost-effective energy resource.

A federal EERS would require that electricity and natural gas utilities help their customers reduce energy use by a specified and increasing amount each year, based on a percentage of total energy sales. It complements a renewable electricity standard (RES), which requires that a percentage of electricity generation be from renewable sources.

EERS is a tested policy measure that has successfully reduced energy use in several states. A national EERS would lower energy costs, reduce air pollution and global warming, create jobs, and improve energy reliability throughout the nation.

• Alliance EERS Fact Sheet
• EERS Bill Texts:
  • H.R. 889 (on Thomas.gov)
  • S. 548 (on Thomas.gov)
  • EERS Subtitle of Waxman-Markey Discussion Draft (100 kB PDF)
• Deal or No Deal: Pros and Cons of Trading Under an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard
• EERS Presentation by Alliance Staff (850 kB .ppt)