National Grid and NSTAR Announce Conservation Services Group To Help Deliver Residential Efficiency Programs

WALTHAM, Mass., May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With the help of energy-efficiency incentives and programs available from their local utility companies, Massachusetts consumers will have the opportunity to better manage energy costs and enhance the value and comfort of their homes -- resulting in increased green job opportunities and decreased carbon emissions across the Commonwealth.

Energy delivery companies National Grid and NSTAR this week announced that Mass.-based, Conservation Services Group (CSG) has been selected to provide Mass Save®  Home Energy Services to the companies' more-than-three-million natural gas and electric customers.

"Everything we do as a utility is for the ultimate benefit of our customers and the communities we serve," said Edward White, vice president of Energy Products at National Grid. "Leveraging CSG's market knowledge and experience allows us to offer an evolving and robust set of energy-efficient solutions to our residential gas and electric customers."

The new contract with CSG will run through Dec. 31, 2012 with an option for extension in 2013. Candidates considered in the competitive procurement selection process were required to have a high level of experience, a solid network of contractors and access to the latest industry tools and technologies.

One of the signature CSG services offered through both utilities is the home energy assessment program. The assessments, at no cost to qualified customers, take a comprehensive approach to saving energy by analyzing its use throughout the home. By aiding customers in identifying insulation, lighting and other potential areas for improved efficiency, energy specialists at CSG help customers tighten the home's energy "envelope." They offer energy-wise recommendations to help residents make educated, more cost-effective, energy-saving decisions.  CSG also has extensive weatherization training programs and new software that facilitates energy management.

"In addition to the many tools they bring to the table, CSG's EnergyMeasure™ software will lower program costs, make the contractors' jobs easier by streamlining the process and improve quality control and customer service," said Penni Conner, NSTAR vice president of Customer Care and Energy Efficiency.  She continued, "The utilities have also put in place a new energy efficiency model that will not only help our customers save money, it also goes a long way toward helping to preserve the environment."

CSG energy specialists have steadily increased the number of assessments performed each year. Between 2008 and 2010, the number of assessments performed increased by nearly 40 percent. In that same time period, the number of subcontractors working with the assessments program has more than tripled. As many as 100 additional subcontractors are expected to sign up to work with the program in 2011.

"CSG has helped us, as an independent contractor, to improve and optimize our installation practices," said Tony Shirley, managing partner of Worcester-based, Accelerate Energy. "The high standards that they hold all of their contractors to are very important to the quality, energy performance and customer satisfaction that are part of each service we provide."

The Mass Save program is an initiative sponsored by Massachusetts' investor-owned gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers who work closely with the Mass. Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to provide a wide range of services, incentives, trainings and information promoting energy efficiency to help residents and businesses manage energy use and related costs. As a result of the Green Communities Act of 2008, Mass Save helps provide comprehensive and engaging programs to reach an increasingly broad range of customers across the state.

The Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC), a broad stakeholder group formed to guide development of energy efficiency plans to adhere to the Green Communities Act in 2008 and chaired by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources monitors implementation of the Mass Save programs. The EEAC includes representatives from business, industry and environmental groups; residential energy users, state environmental and economic development officials and the state's ratepayer advocate, the Attorney General.

"We are working with National Grid, NSTAR, the state and other stakeholders to ensure that the Mass Save Home Energy Services programs are achieving their objectives," said Robert Eckel, CSG's New England regional vice president. "We look forward to continuing to build the home energy assessment program by continuing to expand opportunities for independent contractors. We will also be providing more training and services for those working in minority and underserved communities. This will enable us to get the broadest participation, giving consumers a cost-effective, high performance program."

About National Grid

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.

About NSTAR

NSTAR is the largest Massachusetts-based, investor-owned electric and gas utility. The company transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.4 million customers in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, including more than one million electric customers in 81 communities and 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities. For more information, visit http://www.nstar.com

About CSG

Conservation Services Group is a national energy services firm with more than 20 offices from coast-to-coast.  Founded in 1984, CSG is based in Westborough, Mass. and has 700 employees.  CSG works with utilities, government agencies, housing groups and other organizations interested in saving energy. 

SOURCE Conservation Services Group