State Efficiency and Renewable Programs

Energy efficiency is the cheapest, fastest way to deal with our energy needs. It is a win in terms of job creation, a win in terms of saving taxpayers money and a win on the environment. According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Shaheen/Portman the Energy Efficiency and Industrial Competitiveness Act], if it were passed this year, would create 136,000 new jobs by 2025. By 2030 it would save consumers about $14 billion a year. It would lower CO2 emissions and air pollution by the equivalent of taking 22 million cars off the road. So it really is a win/win/win. There are provisions in the legislation that deal with the building sector which uses about 40 percent of our energy, that deal with the manufacturing sector which is the largest user of energy in terms of any sector of the economy and also the Federal Government which, as we all know, is the biggest user of energy in the country.