Obama Announces Energy Efficiency Initiatives
On June 29, on the heels of the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, President Barack Obama and Energy Secretary Steven Chu, announced major energy efficiency initiatives that will save consumers billions of dollars every year. With the buzz still in the air from Friday’s historic vote, the President explained that energy efficiency and renewable energy are as important for the economy as they are for the environment. In terms of jobs created and money saved, he said, “One of the fastest, easiest, and cheapest ways to make our economy stronger and cleaner is to make our economy more energy efficient.”
Noting that 7 percent of all U.S. energy is used for lighting, the administration announced that new minimum efficiency standards for fluorescent tube lighting will save more energy than any other single standard issued by the federal government. The new energy conservation standards will take effect in 2012 and apply to certain general service fluorescent lamps and incandescent reflector lamps manufactured for sale in the United States or imported to the United States. In 30 years, this change alone will offset the carbon emission equivalent of 166 million cars and save customers between $1 billion and $4 billion.
The administration also announced the release of $346 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to advance energy efficient technologies in new and existing commercial and residential buildings. Recognizing that the building sector consumes 40 percent of all U.S. energy and accounts for 40 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, this money will support research into new building technologies as well as the retrofit of existing homes with today’s energy efficient techniques and products. Secretary Chu commented, “When it comes to saving money and growing our economy, energy efficiency isn’t just the low hanging fruit; it’s fruit lying on the ground. The most prosperous, competitive economies of the 21st century will be those that use energy efficiently. It’s time for America to lead the way.”
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