%0 Generic
%A Ian M Hoffman
%A Mark Zimring
%A Steven R Schiller
%D 2013
%T Assessing Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Programs in a Low-Price Environment
%2 LBNL-6105E
%8 04/2013
%X <p>Abundant, affordable natural gas has emerged as a central feature of the U.S. energy economy. Dramatic increases in economically recoverable natural gas ha ve made gas relatively inexpensive — at least in the short run – with resulting cost savings for consumers. However, low natural gas prices place gas efficiency programs at a crossroads. Some program administrators and state regulators are finding that conventional analyses, which only consider a narrow set of energy-savings related efficiency program benefits, are now resulting in many natural gas efficiency programs failing to pass the criteria used to screen programs for cost-effectiveness. This policy brief provides several considerations for regulators and policymakers to weigh when evaluating the costs, benefits and future of natural gas energy efficiency programs.</p>