Mayors throughout the United States are calling for a 10% reduction in energy use in America’s communities in order to prevent a nationwide energy crisis. The announcement was made during the 69th Winter Meeting of the US Conference of Mayors in January, 2001.
The mayors also called for an immediate review to determine the causes and circumstances of the California electricity crisis so that this experience is not repeated in other parts of the nation. “If we don’t start to craft some sort of national policy with regard to all of these resources, there’s absolutely no way that we’re going to fix the California problem, much less address it as it rolls east, as it’s sure to do,” noted Cedar Rapids Mayor Lee Clancey.
In related news, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has released a new report that finds the United States could cut peak electricity demand by 5 to 15 percent without reducing comfort or service. Nationwide, the savings could total 60,000 megawatts by 2010. The report’s recommendations include six programs to improve air conditioning and lighting systems in homes and businesses. For more information, visit the ACEEE Web site.
