In an interview with Megawatt Daily, senior associate Ken Colburn highlighted the potential for states to use energy efficiency programs to meet pending greenhouse gas regulations under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. Although the rules won’t be released until June 2014, many expect the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow states to use cost-effective energy efficiency programs to comply with the rule. “I think EPA is in a position to allow efficiency as part of state implementation plans,” said Colburn.

Recognizing that many states haven’t quantified the emissions impact of their efficiency programs, RAP issued Quantifying the Air Quality Impacts of Energy Efficiency Policies and Programs last summer. The paper identifies useful data sources and outlines four basic steps state air regulators can follow to quantify the air quality impacts of energy efficiency policies and programs.