Markey: Study-Energy Efficiency Standard Would Save Consumers and Businesses $170 Billion, Create 220,000 Jobs
Chairman Markey’s Bill Important Part of Comprehensive Energy and Climate Strategy
WASHINGTON (March 18, 2009) – A national energy efficiency standard would save consumers and businesses nearly $170 billion dollars on their energy bills and create 220,000 jobs, according to a report released today by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The study bolsters the case for a national energy efficiency standard to become law as part of a comprehensive energy and climate strategy. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who chairs key energy panels in the House, has introduced a national efficiency standard--the Save American Energy Act--that matches the one tested in the ACEEE study.
“$170 billion in savings plus 220,000 new jobs equals a good energy program,” said Rep. Markey. “Energy efficiency is the cheapest, easiest way to reduce carbon emissions and improve our energy economy.”
ACEEE’s report, Laying the Foundation for Implementing a Federal Energy Efficiency Resource Standard, analyzes 2008 economic and energy data and estimates benefits of a federal energy efficiency resource standard (EERS) requiring utilities to reduce electricity demand by 15 percent and natural gas demand by 10 percent by 2020.
The standard Rep. Markey has introduced would, according to the study:
- create 222,000 permanent, high quality jobs in construction, manufacturing and other fields;
- prevent 262 million metric tons of global warming emissions– equal to a year of heat-trapping pollution from 48 million cars;
- eliminate the need to build 390 new power plants.
ACEEE also analyzed the benefits of a federal EERS for each state by 2020. For example:
- Florida will create more than 19,500 new jobs and save $14 billion in energy costs.
- Illinois will create more than 6,500 new jobs and save $3.6 billion in energy costs.
- Indiana will create more than 5,000 new jobs and save $3.6 billion in energy costs.
- North Carolina will create nearly 6,500 new jobs and save $3 billion in energy costs.
- Tennessee will create more than 5,000 new jobs and save $3.5 billion on energy costs.
The ACEEE report is available at www.aceee.org/pubs/e091.htm.
The Select Committee was active during the 110th and 111th Congresses. This is an archived version of the website, to ensure that the public has ongoing access to the Select Committee record. This website, including external links, will not be updated after Jan. 3rd, 2010.
del.icio.us
Digg this
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Print This Page