3.__Funding level.__Each gas utility to which this section applies shall undertake energy efficiency programs designed to operate within a budget, upon full implementation, that is no less than 1% of the total revenues of the gas utility.

4.__Rules.__The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section.__Rules adopted under this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

5.__Report.__The commission shall report by December 1st of each year to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities and energy matters.__The report must include:

A.__A description of actions taken by gas utilities pursuant to this section, including descriptions of all conservation programs implemented during the prior 12 months and all conservation programs that the gas utilities plan to implement during the next 12 months;

B.__A description of how the commission determines the cost- effectiveness of each conservation program and its assessment of the cost-effectiveness of programs implemented during the prior 12 months;

C.__Total deposits into and expenditures from the program fund during the prior 12 months and projected deposits into and expenditures from the program fund during the next 12 months for each gas utility; and

D.__Any recommendations for changes to the laws relating to energy conservation by gas utilities.

SUMMARY

This bill requires gas utilities that serve at least 5,000 residential consumers to implement cost-effective conservation programs that promote sustainable economic development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants. At least 40% of available program funds must be apportioned among low-income and small business customer programs, with the remainder apportioned to conservation programs that are available to all customers.