News

November 17, 2022

CEE Specifications Set the Bar for Federal Tax Credits Through 2032

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency has been transforming markets to advance energy efficiency and demand reduction for decades. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 names CEE’s highest tiers (not advanced) as a basis for federal tax credits for several product categories through 2032. These include:

CEE was formed to develop voluntary market-based initiatives for energy efficient products and services. CEE makes use of performance specifications as a means to accelerate market development, identifying achievable performance levels for various market players to competitively deliver solutions to customers. CEE has effectively worked with the ENERGY STAR® Program since its beginning and supports this consumer facing program to embody a full array of publicly beneficial energy system considerations.

“Being named in this legislation is a testament to the integrity of CEE,” said Ed Wisniewski, Executive Director. “CEE’s work is rooted in serving utility customers and the energy systems that are integral to delivering safe, reliable, affordable, equitable and efficient energy. I’m proud that this important work has been recognized and I congratulate those organizations that make up the Consortium for their ongoing leadership.”

CEE efforts are approved by a Board representing a wide array of energy system responsibilities and challenges. Consortium members are from the United States and Canada, and include investor owned and municipal utilities, national labs, advocacy organizations, and involve government participation and sponsorship.

“The CEE Board recently revised performance levels for residential air conditioners and air source heat pumps. The Inflation Reduction Act presents an opportunity for utility incentives and federal tax credits to work in concert, supporting market leadership and encouraging even greater levels of performance,” said John Taylor, Deputy Director.

The CEESM Residential Heating and Cooling Systems Initiative was revised and authorized by the CEE Board of Directors on November 17, 2022. The updated Electric Equipment Specifications take effect January 1, 2023.

For more information, contact Michael Colaneri, Strategic Communications Manager, at mcolaneri@cee1.org.

About CEE
CEE is an award-winning consortium of efficiency program administrators from the United States and Canada. Members work to unify program approaches across jurisdictions to increase the success of efficiency in markets. By joining forces at CEE, individual electric and gas efficiency programs are able to partner not only with each other, but also with other industries, trade associations, and government agencies. Working together, administrators leverage the effect of their ratepayer funding, exchange information on successful practices and, by doing so, achieve greater energy efficiency for the public good.