Economic Impacts of Energy Efficiency Policies and Investments

On November 14, 2011, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition held a “staff only” briefing addressing the economic impacts of energy efficiency policies and investments. Congress and the Administration want to have effective policies in place that will foster economic development across the country. As part of this important discussion, the future of clean energy funding – through tax incentives and appropriations – as well as other policies that promote energy efficiency are being questioned.

This briefing addressed the following questions:

1. How does energy efficiency contribute to economic development in America?
2. Does the federal government have a role in catalyzing energy efficiency across the economic sectors, and if so, what is it?
3. What is the potential for economic gains as a result of energy efficiency policies and investments in the near term, and in laying the groundwork for the future?
4. What kind of economic benefits have resulted from improvements in energy efficiency?
5. How does energy efficiency affect US competitiveness in the global economy?

This briefing was organized in conjunction with the Energy Efficiency Strategy Group, a group of companies, associations, non-profits and efficiency advocates, including the National Association for State Community Service Programs and the National Association of State Energy Officials.