KEEA History & Leadership

History 

The Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance was founded in 2007 in response to the pending expiration of utility rate caps in Pennsylvania, which has kept electric rates lower than market rates in the region. Governor Edward Rendell and numerous legislators introduced various bills to address the impact of these increases, including Special Session House Bill 1, which primarily focused on alternative energy strategies.

The core group of KEEA partners felt that energy efficiency should be the cornerstone of what would help consumers and businesses reduce their electric bills and other energy costs. To lay the groundwork and develop our own legislative strategy, we convened the first Pennsylvania Energy Forum (hosted by ACI), on September 5, 2007.

Based on the ideas and enthusiasm of the Forum attendees, KEEA refined the 2007 Energy Action Agenda. which became the basis for our year-long trek to passage of Act 129, which was signed into law on October 15, 2008. (See Policy page.) To demonstrate the broad interest and support for the Action Plan, we recruited other energy service providers, businesses, agencies, and non-profits to join this effort. Over 65 groups signed on to the KEEA 2007 – 2008 Action Agenda. Many of these partners participated in numerous phone calls, Legislative Action Days in Harrisburg, other events and individual meetings at their own expense to muster enough support for this legislation.

For a summary of how the KEEA Action Plan was developed, in comparison to a similar effort in Massachusetts, refer to this article in Home Energy Magazine.

Leadership

The KEEA mission and 2007 – 2009 Action Agenda were developed and coordinated under the leadership of an active Steering Committee, which represented the diverse interests and geographic segments of Pennsylvania.

As of March 2010, KEEA is now a 501c3 non-profit organization, with a Board of Directors. and the following officers:

President Liz Robinson, Energy Coordinating Agency,
Vice-President Ann Gerace, Conservation Consultants, Inc.
Secretary Gloria Fultz, G. S. Fultz & Associates
Treasurer Tom Newton, Knauf Insulation