11. Next Steps

The principles and strategies adopted in this order will be best implemented if the utilities and other parties were to discuss them in an informal and collaborative venue as part of the process developed for the statewide strategic plan in D.07-10-032. We plan to conduct workshops on the following issues:

(1) Cost-effectiveness tests - How, if at all, should existing methodologies be modified to recognize the costs and benefits of LIEE programs?

(2) Strategic Approaches to Program Development and Delivery. How can the utilities leverage the opportunities presented by other resources and programs, including those of other organizations and their own energy efficiency programs? What resources are available to leverage utility program design and delivery? How can existing information and analysis be useful in guiding program development and delivery strategies and priorities? What are the best ways to measure achievement toward the programmatic initiative?

(3) ME&O - How can the utilities and other entities provide more and better information to LIEE customers on a statewide basis about reducing energy usage and saving on their energy bills? To what extent should the utilities use a common branding strategy, and a statewide marketing and outreach program? What should a statewide, coordinated program include and how should it be administered?

(4) Portfolio Composition - What types of programs would best meet the policy objectives and programmatic initiative adopted in this decision? What types of programs should be offered that would serve program objectives relating to low-income customers' quality of life?

We direct the utilities to include a discussion of LIEE strategies in the draft statewide strategic plan to be submitted on February 1, 2008, pursuant to D.07-10-032. We recognize the time available for drafting the LIEE section of the report is very short and that the first draft of the LIEE section is likely to be necessarily skeletal. Accordingly, we will delegate to the assigned Commissioner and assigned ALJ authority to schedule additional workshops, comments or revisions to the first draft as required to promote the development of a complete and thoughtful LIEE strategy, which would be incorporated into the proposed statewide strategic plan the utilities will file by May 15, 2008, pursuant to D.07-10-032. The assigned Commissioner and ALJ may modify the topics or schedule for these working sessions in order to promote the objectives of today's decision.