December 12, 2005—More than 50 organizations, the US Department of Energy (DOE), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have developed a Leadership Group to launch an aggressive new national commitment to energy efficiency.
In addition to the federal agencies, the group is made up of representatives from leading gas and electric utilities, state agencies, energy service providers, environmental/energy efficiency organizations, and energy consumers. The joint effort could substantially increase utility funding for energy efficiency and could save customers $200 to $300 billion on energy bills over the next 15 to 20 years, says EPA.
In the face of rising energy demands and costs, larger utility investments in energy efficiency are an effective way to lower consumer energy bills, decrease demand for natural gas, improve the reliability and security of the nation’s energy systems, and help protect the environment, says EPA. The leadership group will look at policies and programs that are delivering results around the country, develop a common understanding of what works, and develop and follow through on recommendations for action.
