In late 2010, energy efficiency standards that require electric motors to meet National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Premium™ efficiency levels became effective in the United States. This federal regulation represented a significant increase in the energy efficiency requirements that the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) mandated for electric motors. This report estimates the annual energy savings in the Pacific Northwest due to 2012 shipments of these more efficient motors. For many motors, NEMA Premium™ is now the federally required efficiency level; however, at the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s (NEEA’s) request, Navigant assumes a baseline efficiency level corresponding to EPAct standards in the estimation of ongoing NEMA Premium™ motor savings.
