Why Efficiency?
Energy Efficiency Works. Using America’s energy more efficiently is the fastest, cleanest and cheapest way to meet our growing energy needs. Investment in energy efficiency will create jobs and boost our sluggish economy, make the United States more competitive in the global economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Here are just some of the benefits we will enjoy if a national EERS is implemented to reduce electricity demand by 15 percent and natural gas demand by 10 percent by 2020:
- $168 billion in utility bill savings for consumers and businesses
- 222,000 new permanent, high-quality jobs in construction and other fields
- 262 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions prevented in 2020 – like taking 48 million cars off the roads for that year
- 390 polluting power plants won’t need to be built
Energy Efficiency Creates Jobs
• Strong energy efficiency policies will put hundreds of thousands of Americans to work immediately weatherizing homes, retrofitting buildings and conducting energy audits.
• ACEEE estimates that approximately 250,000 jobs will be created by 2020 through the energy efficiency provisions in the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), with 650,000 total jobs generated by 2030.
• A recent study by The Pew Charitable Trusts shows that the “clean-energy economy,” including energy efficiency jobs grew 9.1 percent, to 770,000 jobs, between 1998 and 2007 - compared to a 3.7 percent increase in traditional jobs.
• In Ohio, for instance, clean energy jobs grew 7.3 percent in the ten-year period, while overall jobs in the state declined 2.2 percent. In New Mexico, clean energy jobs grew 50.1 percent, compared to 1.9 percent overall job growth, and North Carolina saw a 15.3 percent increase in green jobs, compared to 6.4 percent job growth across the board. (The Pew Charitable Trusts)
• The Center for American Progress finds that clean-energy investments triggered by the economic stimulus
program and the forthcoming American Clean Energy and Security Act can generate a net increase of about 1.7 million jobs - enough to reduce the unemployment rate in today’s economy by about one full percentage point, to 8.4 percent from the current 9.4 percent - even after taking into full account the inevitable job losses in conventional fossil fuel sectors of the U.S. economy.
Energy Efficiency Equals Economic Development
This report from Entergy shows how energy efficiency standards can be a powerful source of economic development for low-income families. By creating jobs and confronting the energy crisis facing low-income households, energy efficiency is a cost-effective tool for fighting poverty.
Read the report here
Energy Efficiency Saves Consumers Money
• Energy efficiency measures - such as weatherizing homes and improving appliance efficiency - help consumers to take advantage of existing technologies, while using less energy and lowering their utility bills.
• According to analysis by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the energy efficiency provisions in the American Clean Energy and Security Act could save Americans nearly $750 per household by 2020 and $3,900 per household by 2030.
• For every dollar invested in efficiency, consumers save $4 - money that can be spent in other areas of the economy. (Environment Northeast, Energy Efficiency)
Energy Efficiency is the Smart Way to Ease the Transition to a Cap and Trade System
• Energy efficiency investments can help lower the cost of electricity under a nationwide cap on carbon emissions, saving consumers real money. ACEEE analysis shows that electricity prices under cap and trade legislation would be 15 percent less if a strong EERS and renewable electricity standard (RES) are also in place.
• By reducing overall energy demand as well as the need for expensive new power plants, energy efficiency investments reduce the cost of generating power, saving money on utility bills and cutting greenhouse gas emissions as we transition to a cap and trade system. (Three Pillars: A Comprehensive Approach to Setting Clean Energy Standards for the Electricity Sector.)
• According to the Consumer Federation of America, American consumers would save $200 billion per year by 2030, if a strong EERS and RES are adopted in tandem with cap and trade policies.
Learn more about how energy efficiency works to save Americans money, create jobs and help our environment:
EERS, RES and Climate Solutions