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State Policy Resources
State Policy Resources
State Policy Tools and Resources
- CHP Support at the State Level (PDF) (3 pp, 99K), a fact sheet that highlights programs put in place by the states of New Jersey and California to help CHP reach its full market potential in these states.
- Combined Heat and Power: A Cost-Effective, Flexible, and Environmentally-Friendly Technology (PDF) (31 pp, 844K, About PDF) is a presentation that describes various CHP technologies, different strategic CHP markets, and how the CHP Partnership can foster project development.
- EPA Clean Energy-Environment Guide to Action, was released by EPA's Clean Energy-Environment State Partnership, and offers additional resources for state clean energy policy. Chapter 5 of the Guide to Action describes policies and emerging approaches that states can implement to support greater investment in clean energy supply resources, including renewable energy and CHP.
Combined heat and power (CHP) can help states reduce energy costs and improve their business environment, support energy infrastructure, and improve energy security and power reliability, all while offering environmental and climate change benefits.
As states develop energy and environmental strategies, the CHP Partnership can assist them in identifying and pursuing policies and programs that support the increased use of clean distributed generation (DG), such as CHP.
The CHP Partnership offers assistance tailored to states in two primary areas:
- Identifying opportunities for CHP in strategic sectors (e.g., ethanol production, hotels and casinos, and wastewater treatment facilities) to encourage energy efficiency through CHP.
- Identifying opportunities for policy developments (energy, environmental, economic) to encourage energy efficiency through CHP.
CHP Opportunities
The Partnership works with states to promote CHP in ethanol production, casinos and hotels, and wastewater treatment facilities. EPA works with states to tailor its services to their needs. Possible services include: market analyses, education and outreach, targeted workshops and educational materials, direct project assistance, and project recognition.
Strategic sectors vary by state based on fuel prices and availability, electric rates, natural gas prices, state incentives, state regulations, and existing industrial base.
Policy Opportunities
The Partnership works with federal and state policymakers and regulators to help identify and evaluate policies and programs to support the increased use of clean DG, such as CHP.
Policy opportunities include:
- Establishing output-based emissions regulations and incorporating other efficiency measures into state implementation plans.
- Developing standard interconnection rules.
- Implementing reasonable standby rates, backup rates, and exit fees.
- Developing incentive programs for CHP using public benefit funds.
- Include CHP/waste heat recovery in renewable portfolio standards and energy efficiency portfolio standards.
Many states have implemented policies in these areas that are delivering results, and several other states are considering or developing similar policies. EPA can provide examples of best practices from states across the nation, assistance in framing the issues, as well as state-to-state networking and educational opportunities.
Fall 2009: New CHP Policy Information Available
In fall 2009, the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency will release an update to its Vision for 2025—Measuring Progress. The update will capture policy developments in 2008, including updated CHP policy information. The Action Plan is a private-public initiative begun in 2005 to create a sustainable, aggressive national commitment to energy efficiency through collaborative efforts of gas and electric utilities, utility regulators, and other partner organizations. The Vision for 2025 establishes 10 key implementation goals and 28 supporting policy steps, and describes what 2025 could look like if we achieve all cost-effective energy efficiency. Measuring progress in achieving the policy steps is an important component of the Vision for 2025. Policy Step 27 measures state progress toward having policies in place to remove barriers to CHP. The Action Plan measured progress on policies associated with interconnection rules, standby rates, reviewing CHP as part of the planning process, and incorporating it where effective. For more information, visit the Action Plan Web site.
Please contact Katrina Pielli (pielli.katrina@epa.gov) to discuss how the Partnership can assist you.