U.S. Commission Unveils Plan to Double Energy Productivity

GLOBE-Net, February 8, 2013 – A diverse coalition of energy leaders unveil a set of recommendations designed to double U.S. energy productivity by 2030.

The Alliance Commission on National Energy Efficiency Policy calls for growing the U.S. economy through investments, modernization and education.

These efforts will target the entire energy structure, including buildings, transportation, manufacturing, power generation and natural gas infrastructure.

[stextbox id=”custom” float=”true” width=”200″ bcolor=”add3d5″ bgcolor=”add3d5″ image=”null”]The diverse Commission is made up of leaders from the power sector, environmental groups, the financial community, manufacturing, transportation and government.[/stextbox]

“Doubling our energy productivity will yield huge returns for our economy and increase our competitiveness,” said U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.), a co-chair of the Commission. .

“This bipartisan plan can serve as a blueprint to advance energy efficiency and bring direct and tangible benefits to American families and businesses while building a stronger economy and healthier environment.”

Accorfing to the Commission, if adopted, by 2030 the U.S. could:

• Add 1.3 million jobs;
• Cut average household energy costs
• Save American businesses $169 billion a year;
• Increase GDP by up to 2%;
• Decrease energy imports by more than $100 billion a year; and
• Reduce CO2 emissions by one-third.

“Stopping energy waste will help all Americans get the most out of their hard-earned income,” said Alliance to Save Energy PresidentKateri Callahan.

“By doubling productivity, we’ll wring more out of every dollar spent on energy, helping families improve the quality of their lives by freeing up money to either save or spend on other things.”

Recommendations

The Commission urges policy makers and the private sector to take immediate and concerted action-based on the recommendations to grow the U.S. economy and create jobs while using less energy and reducing associated costs, environmental harm and security impacts. It recommends three overarching strategies to meet this energy productivity goal:

• Unleash Investment  in energy productivity throughout the economy,
• Modernize Regulations  and Infrastructure to improve energy productivity, and
• Educate and Engage  consumers, workers, business executives, and government leaders on ways to drive energy productivity gains.

To achieve this goal and its benefits, some public-private partnerships, and targeted government investments will be needed, and some rules will need to be reformed and strengthened, said the Commission. The detailed set of policy recommendations for federal, state, and local governments, as well as the private sector are available in a 16-page summary  or full 40-page report.

The Energy 2030 plan maximizes energy productivity by expanding financing opportunities, reforming taxes and regulations, spurring innovation, strengthening standards, and building consumer awareness.

A comprehensive set of legislative proposals are recommended, including placing a price on carbon emissions to spur energy efficiency.

The Commission also anticipates the plan will help the U.S. establish global leadership on energy efficiency.

Investment Yields Savings

Though the U.S. currently lags behind other nations on energy productivity, the Commission believes there are more than $1 trillion in energy-saving opportunities with the right federal, state and local government support, and private-sector buy-in.

“Our Energy 2030 plan goes well beyond capturing the more obvious energy efficiency benefits to uncover significant economic opportunities,” said National Grid U.S. President Tom King.

“The solutions will drive innovation and new technologies forward, improving and modernizing U.S. infrastructure and helping us to compete globally.”

“Energy productivity is synonymous with economic prosperity and competitiveness,” said former Republican New York Governor George Pataki. “This plan advances public-private partnerships to spur investment, and could save local, state and the federal governments $13 billion dollars in 2030 alone.”

Moving the Energy 2030 Plan Forward

Work already has begun to turn the Commission’s recommendations into meaningful legislation.

The Alliance will collaborate with its 13 Honorary Congressional Vice Chairs  to develop legislative proposals at the national level and has pit forward recommendations to the Obama Administration.