September 8, 2006—More than 80 energy, environmental, and other organizations announced commitments and public statements recently in support of the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (NAPEE), which provides energy consumers and providers information on policies and techniques to save money as well as protect the environment.
By adopting the plan’s recommendations on low-cost, under-used energy efficiency, Americans could save hundreds of billions of dollars on their gas and electric utility bills, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and lower the costs for energy and pollution controls, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The action plan was developed with assistance from the Department of Energy and the EPA. It provides five recommendations for helping states and utilities overcome policy, regulatory, and other barriers that limit investment in energy efficiency even when investment in more efficient homes, buildings, and industries would cost less than new supply and would lead to overall lower energy bills.
The recommendations include: recognize energy efficiency as a high-priority energy resource; make a strong, long-term commitment to implement cost-effective energy efficiency as a resource; broadly communicate the benefits of and opportunities for energy efficiency; promote sufficient, timely, and stable program funding to deliver energy efficiency where cost-effective; and modify policies to align utility incentives with the delivery of cost-effective energy efficiency and modify ratemaking practices to promote energy efficiency investments.
The plan builds upon best practices from successful efficiency programs already operating in many areas, to remove barriers that have limited utilities, states, and customers from pursuing cost-effective energy efficiency resources.
For more information about NAPEE and the organizations’ commitment, visit EPA.
