Efficiency seen cutting New England power use

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — New England's electric grid operator says greater energy efficiency in the six-state region will help keep energy use flat in the next decade.

ISO-New England said Wednesday that the six states spent $1.2 billion from 2008 to 2011 to boost energy efficiency, particularly improved lighting. ISO defines energy efficiency savings as reduced electricity use or savings due to energy-efficiency.

The grid operator says spending on energy efficiency is expected to increase to $5.7 billion from 2015 to 2021.

ISO said energy efficiency also has more than doubled since 2008 in an annual auction to win commitments from generators and others for power available three years from now.

The result is that electricity use projected to rise by 0.9 percent between 2012 and 2021 will instead be flat.