November 5, 2003—At a recent meeting with energy efficiency, environmental, and consumer groups, and major utility companies, U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham promised to “cut through the red tape” so that long-awaited reviews of energy efficiency standards.
“We applaud Secretary Abraham’s leadership on energy efficiency standards,” said Mark Hopkins, acting co-president of the Alliance to Save Energy. “We all know that bureaucratic procedures can bottle up energy-saving standards for years. But the secretary’s leadership will make all the difference in getting these standards done.”
In the recent meeting, DOE staff reviewed the steps involved in considering a new standard and discussed ways to smooth the process. The standards under review cover boilers, commercial air conditioners, and electric distribution transformers.
On a national basis, ACEEE projects that upgrades to the three standards would save consumers and businesses about $22 billion over the next 20 years, cut the growth in peak electrical demand by an amount equal to the output of 80 new power plants—thus reducing the likelihood of power outages—and save nearly 400 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year, helping to ease upward pressure on natural gas prices.
The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, economy, and national security.
The Consumer Federation of America is a non-profit of 300 pro-consumer groups that was founded in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, education and advocacy.
The Appliance Standards Awareness Project is an energy, environmental and consumer group, utility and state government coalition dedicated to increasing awareness of and support for appliance and equipment efficiency standards.
