04.04.2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company have received approval from the Kentucky Public Service Commission to expand their energy efficiency program offerings by 168 percent.

The KPSC's approval of the company's request to expand its energy efficiency program offerings means customers will be able to take advantage of a wider array of programs designed to help them become better energy managers.

Energy efficiency has, for many years, been at the heart of E.ON U.S.'s strategy to address the increasing demand for electricity and help customers become better energy managers. Since 1994, the company has offered a variety of programs to help customers reduce their energy usage and become more aware of their overall energy needs.

"Energy efficiency is a partnership effort between us and our customers," said John P. Malloy, Vice President, Energy Delivery-Retail Business. "They contact us asking what they can do to help the environment and lower their monthly energy bills. We want them to know they can count on us for help and that we are their source for the information and tools they need to become better energy managers."

The expanded programs will give customers the tools not only to reduce their energy consumption, but also to become more knowledgeable about their energy use and its impact on the environment. In addition, the company anticipates an overall peak reduction by more than 500 megawatts by 2015.

Specifics of the program include:

Enhancements to Existing Programs

• Demand Conservation "Load Control" Program: Plans call for adding 140,000 new load control devices, which will allow for a total of 228 megawatts of electricity available to the company during peak demand.
• Residential Energy Audit Program: Online audits will be available in an effort to afford more customers an opportunity to benefit from this popular program.
• Commercial Energy Audit Program: The company will offer incentives to encourage business customers to make energy efficiency retrofits at their facilities.
• WeCare Program: A weatherization program available to customers in need that provides energy audits and weatherization education and awareness. The company plans to reach 8,400 additional customers as part of its energy efficiency program.

New Programs

• A high-efficiency lighting program providing incentives to put significant numbers of compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs into the residential market. The company will partner with manufacturers and retailers.
• A new home construction program that would encourage builders to develop homes that meet ENERGY STAR certification standards. Homes would have to pass plan reviews as well as on-site inspections to ensure compliance.
• An HVAC diagnostic and tune up program that will offer central air conditioning and heat pump diagnostics at a subsidized cost. Customers needing remediation could choose to have an "approved" dealer make repairs at a reduced cost. The program would focus on over- or under-refrigerant charge and air flow restrictions and would be available to residential and commercial customers.
• A dealer referral network designed to provide customers with a list of energy efficiency dealers who agree to meet certain minimum standards, such as insurance and bonding, but would also agree to perform the services according to manufacturer and industry standards and requirements.
• An educational program designed to educate the public about energy efficiency. It will include programs for students about sources of energy and energy efficiency in homes and schools through a curriculum provided to schools in the company's service area. The curriculum will include lesson plans, energy efficiency materials and demonstration materials.

"We certainly recognize that energy efficiency programs are not designed to be a one-size fits all approach," added Malloy. "We feel this new expanded approach offers something for everyone."


E.ON U.S., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a subsidiary of E.ON A.G., the world's largest investor-owned energy services provider. E.ON U.S. is a diversified energy services company that owns and operates Louisville Gas and Electric Company, a regulated utility that serves 324,000 natural gas and 398,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties, and Kentucky Utilities Company, a regulated electric utility in Lexington, Ky., that serves 531,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia.