Serving one of the nation's largest electric markets, EFH is committed to meeting the electric power needs of Texas in an environmentally sustainable fashion. Through our subsidiary companies Luminant, TXU Energy and Oncor, EFH is engaging in and has supported a number of important programs and initiatives to improve the environment through cleaner, more efficient applications of energy.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
TXU Energy and Oncor are investing close to $400 million in energy efficiency and conservation programs. Today, both companies provide innovative programs for Texas consumers, allowing them to lower their bills and improve the environment at the same time. TXU Energy's Power Monitor
and iThermostat allow customers to better manage their own electricity usage, and the company's Solar Academy provides Texas schools with solar panels to both teach and demonstrate the benefits of solar power. Oncor recently launched a solar power initiative that offers cash incentives to qualified homeowners, businesses, and governments to add solar photovoltaic power systems, and their energy efficiency and customer education programs, such as Take a Load Off, Texas, Low Income Weatherization, SCORE, and City Smart, have reduced the amount of electricity used in the Oncor service area by 1,284,000 MW hours since 2002--enough electricity to power 75,000 homes for one year.
Smart Meters and a Smart Grid
Oncor has embarked on the second largest rollout of advanced meters in the nation. Advanced metering systems (AMS) give customers the ability to better manage their electricity demand by allowing them to monitor--and lower--their electricity use, providing a positive environmental impact through decreased consumption. By 2012, over 5 million automated meters will be deployed across Texas, with Oncor providing 3.2 million of that total. Oncor will continue to invest in a smarter grid and has committed to a $3.6 billion infrastructure investment through 2012.
Renewable Energy Superhighway and Wind Power
Oncor was chosen by the Texas Public Utility Commission to build a $1.3 billion portion of the state's $5 billion CREZ transmission line plan. This Renewable Energy Superhighway will connect wind farms in West Texas with population centers in the rest of the state. With the transmission lines in place, thousands more wind turbines can be built, which could eventually double the state's renewable energy capacity.
Sustainable Energy Advisory Board
EFH has created a Sustainable Energy Advisory Board (SEAB), which meets quarterly, to make possible important conversations between the Company and environmental, consumer, economic development, labor, and ERCOT constituencies. This highly effective and innovative board has the participation of the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Defense Fund, and allows EFH to consider ways to improve environmental performance while serving the electricity needs of Texas.
Investment in Low-Emission Generation
EFH is committed to pursuing low-emission electricity generation in Texas. The company continues to evaluate the development and commercialization of cleaner coal technologies, such as IGCC, to reduce our carbon footprint, and plans to promote the use of solar power through solar/photovoltaic cars, rebates, incentives and/or credits. In addition, Luminant has embarked on the nation's largest voluntary emission reduction plan to offset 100% of key emissions from new coal-fueled power plants and to reduce key emissions by 20% at existing coal-fueled plants. In 2008, Luminant filed an application with the NRC to add two new units to our Comanche Peak nuclear facility, potentially adding up to 3,400 MW of zero-carbon nuclear power to our portfolio. The company also remains the largest purchaser of wind energy in the state, and has committed to doubling its wind generation portfolio to 1,500 MW.
Supporting Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles and Infrastructure
EFH and its companies support policies, investment, and incentives for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in Texas. This technology will improve urban air by reducing emissions from cars and other mobile sources, which contribute to non-attainment problems in several large Texas cities, and is likely to be charged overnight allowing for lower rates and the expanded use of wind power as a generation source.