CPS Energy’s Five-Year Energy Efficiency And Conservation Plan Is Approved

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
June 29, 2022

The San Antonio City Council on June 16 approved a CPS Energy five-year energy efficiency and conservation plan.

The approved plan for CPS Energy’s evolution of its Save for Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP), will be funded as a $350 million initiative over the next five years. The average bill impact will continue to be $3.50 per month to an energy bill. 

The program goals include 410 megawatts of demand reduction, 1% energy savings per year, 16,000 weatherized homes and 1.85 million tons of avoided carbon.

The plan includes:

• Weatherization in single homes for the most vulnerable customers along with multifamily units;
• Community and other solar offerings for more low-to-moderate income customers;
• Energy storage, electric vehicle charging;
• Educational curriculum to promote behavioral change towards energy conservation;
• Demand response in the form of enabled technology like smart thermostats both in homes and businesses; and
• Support for the commercial sector to become more efficient through traditional energy efficiency rebates and new programs.

Since June 2021, CPS Energy has held a dozen collaborative sessions to design a new program with feedback from the Board of Trustees, Rate Advisory Committee (RAC), Citizens Advisory Committee, the Municipal Utilities Commission, and public comment during the Board and RAC meetings.

The current STEP program expires on July 31, 2022. With this month’s approval, CPS Energy will work to finalize additional details, including public awareness and community outreach plans.

For more information about STEP, visit the STEP webpage here.