Dive Brief:

• The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) is considering increasing incentives for utilities that exceed their energy efficiency savings goals and allowing some customers opt-out of the utility programs.
• Public Service Co. of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. are opposing recommendations by OCC staff and an advocacy group to increase the state's efficiency targets. The utilities contend that the proposed 0.34% and 0.42% increases for 2014 to 2016 come in the middle of a multi-year efficiency program cycle and would complicate their efforts.
• The utilities are studying the potential for efficiency in their service territories.

Dive Insight:

Giving utilities extra income for meeting their efficiency targets helps make up for any last revenue from the reduced sales created by the programs. All states should be focused on developing robust efficiency programs. The programs cost much less than building new power plants or buying electricity on the wholesale market.