Natural Gas Utilities Spent $1.5 Billion on Energy Efficiency Programs Saving 1.7 Million Metric Tons of Carbon according to new AGA Report

Washington - The American Gas Association released the 2021 and 2022 Energy Efficiency Programs Report today, unveiling the latest data on natural gas utility energy efficiency programs and investments. The report showed that natural gas efficiency programs saved 336 million therms of energy in 2022, avoiding 1.7 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. That number is the equivalent of removing 424,000 cars from the road for one year.

"Natural gas utilities are dedicated to helping consumers use energy more efficiently and reduce their monthly expenses. Gas utility-driven efficiency program investments provide a wide array of consumer benefits including improving energy affordability, addressing the unique needs of low-income consumers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing energy reliability and resilience." said AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert. "Natural gas utilities are serving more customers every day and using less natural gas to do it. This updated data demonstrates that the natural gas industry continues to be a leader in helping our nation reach our energy and environmental goals and a cleaner energy future."

The survey of U.S. and Canadian members assessed the status and metrics of ratepayer-funded natural gas efficiency and low-income weatherization programs for the 2021 and 2022 program years. The data reveals significant growth and diversification in energy efficiency programs from 2021 to 2022 with utilities in North America spending $1.5 billion on energy efficiency programs in 2022, a 37% increase from 2021. Utility survey respondents indicated 60% of preliminary budgets for 2023 were dedicated to financial incentives for customers to adopt and implement energy efficiency measures.