State to get $96,000 for conserving energy
The state will collect a check for nearly $96,000 tomorrow, its first for participating in a new program that provides cash incentives to large institutional, commercial and industrial customers willing to reduce electricity use during periods of peak demand.
ConsumerPowerline Inc., a New York energy conservation company, is issuing the check to the state Division of Capital Asset Management. Nineteen state government facilities around Massachusetts, including prisons, universities, and hospitals, agreed this year to take steps such as curbing power consumption on 30 minutes' notice and, during crisis periods, activating diesel-powered backup generators to reduce demand on the regional electric grid.
The state-ConsumerPowerline project is one of a growing number of so-called demand response programs New England grid officials are promoting as an alternative to building new power plants.
(By Peter J. Howe, Globe staff)
