Driving to Consistent Evaluation Protocols in the U.S.: Are We There Yet? (– and If Not How Much Farther?)

In recent years, energy efficiency has expanded in the U.S. and is under increased scrutiny as a viable, cost-effective resource. National policy, more aggressive state environmental and energy policies, and increases in the number of states engaged in energy efficiency contribute to these trends. One consequence is that various evaluation protocols are now being developed throughout the U.S. to coordinate, standardize, and increase the transparency of EM&V. Key questions include: What are these efforts, their purpose and primary audience(s) and where are they heading? Will they generate competition, confusion, or coordination? This paper documents the range of EM&V protocol efforts over several decades across the country. It further considers the value of common, transparent and rigorous EM&V protocols. It attempts to identify commonalities across the efforts, and to pinpoint opportunities for greater coordination. The paper also identifies many challenges of determining a uniform set of best practices for all or most situations, such as funding limitations, lack of contractor expertise, and local regulatory oversight which may complicate efforts to advance common EM&V protocols. Finally, the paper discusses SEE Action, an important opportunity for stakeholders currently working to develop a national EM&V protocol that enhances the credibility of energy efficiency as a critical resource to meet the nation’s energy and environmental policy goals.