EPE SOP Gateway
Your Link to El Paso Electric's Texas Standard Offer Programs
El Paso Electric generates and distributes electricity through an interconnected system to approximately 320,000 customers in the Rio Grande Valley in West Texas and Southern New Mexico. In Texas, EPE will offer incentives to energy services contractors for projects producing electricity demand and energy savings.
Contractors may apply separately for projects targeting residential (RES), residential "Hard-to-Reach" (HTR), and commercial and industrial (C&I) customers. In order to receive incentives under these programs, contractors must apply for and receive a Standard Offer Program Agreement under any of the following programs. Standard Offer Program Agreements are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis in accordance with program procedures described in the program manuals. EPE's online applications forms will be available on March 13, 2009.
Residential Standard Offer Program
EPE offers incentives for projects that reduce peak demand and save energy for residential customers whose combined facilities' maximum demand does not exceed 250 kW, or individual facility does not exceed 100 kW.
McKinney, Texas; Roy Lee Walker Elementary School
Hard-to-Reach Standard Offer Program
EPE offers incentives for projects that reduce peak demand and save energy for residential customers whose household annual income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline.
Commercial and Industrial Standard Offer Program
EPE offers incentives for projects that reduce peak demand and save energy in commercial or industrial facilities with a combined maximum demand that exceeds 250 kW, or an individual facility that exceeds 100 kW.
Background
In March 2000, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) adopted the Energy Efficiency Rule (PUCT Subst. R. §25.181). This Energy Efficiency Rule implements Senate Bill 7, which was passed in May 1999. Provisions of SB7 did not apply to El Paso Electric pending its transition to retail customer choice. In 2004, the PUCT considered El Paso Electric's readiness for competition in Docket 28971, ruling that certain steps must be completed to effect the Company's transition to customer choice. Although retail customer choice is not immediately in effect for EPE, the Commission's order in Docket 28971 did establish Subst. Rule §25.421, that includes requirements related to El Paso Electric's offering energy efficiency programs consistent with the provisions of PUCT Subst. Rules §25.181, and 25.183.
Solar decathlon competition program
PUCT Subst. Rule §25.421 establishes an energy efficiency goal of 20% of EPE's annual growth in demand by January 1, 2010.
If you are an El Paso Electric customer in Texas, you will need to identify an energy efficiency services company under contract to EPE. Please click on an appropriate customer link: Residential (RES), Hard to Reach (HTR), Commercial & Industrial (C&I) (These may also be accessed from the top of any page). Please be aware that EPE's role is to purchase energy efficiency from the energy efficiency contractor -- EPE will not provide price or quality assurance or any other form of customer protection. All matters related to price, quality and performance of materials or equipment, and warranties are between the customer and the contractor.
As a consumer:
- Be sure you understand the terms of any agreement before signing and know how much you will pay.
- Request a copy of all paperwork.
- You have 72 hours (3 days) to cancel any agreement (called Right of Rescission period).
- Ask for an "All Bills Paid Affidavit" if a subcontractor is used.
- An EPE representative may contact you to verify the work was done.
* Photos by National Renewable Energy Laboratory Photographic Information Exchange