§8279 National Action Plan for Demand Response

Summary

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must carry out a National Assessment of demand response and send a report to Congress within 18 months of December 19, 2007. The report must estimate the national potential for demand response in 5- and 10-year time frames, show state-by-state data, explain how the estimates can be updated yearly, say how much of that potential can realistically be achieved in 5 and 10 years after December 19, 2007, and give specific policy ideas (including funding or incentives) to reach those levels. The Commission must also identify barriers to fair, flexible programs and propose ways to remove them, and it must use existing research so work is not duplicated. After the Assessment, the Commission must create a National Action Plan on demand response within 1 year, getting input from industry, state utility regulators, and public groups, seeking agreement when possible and choosing the best solution when not. The Plan must say what technical help states need, outline a national customer education and communications effort, and provide tools, model rules and contracts, and other materials for users, states, utilities, and providers. The Plan and any supporting or opposing comments must be published. Six months after publication, the Commission and the Secretary of Energy must send Congress a proposal to carry out the Plan that assigns responsibilities, lists budgets, and notes any agreements from states or others. Up to $10,000,000 is authorized each for fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010 to pay for this work.