'Homegrown' Energy Efficiency is Basis of U.S. Energy Security, Should be Foundation of U.S. Energy Policy, Says Alliance
The Alliance to Save Energy News
'Homegrown' Energy Efficiency is Basis of U.S. Energy Security, Should be Foundation of U.S. Energy Policy, Says Alliance
Washington, D.C., March 31, 2010 – Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan released the following statement in response to President Obama's speech today on U.S. energy security:
"Energy efficiency meets President Obama's criteria for clean, homegrown energy. As such, it must be the foundation of a comprehensive national energy policy. The United States sits on less than 3 percent of the world's oil reserves, yet we account for 25 percent of the world's oil consumption – an unsustainable scenario under any circumstances. As we consider increasing our own oil production, we must also wring out every last bit of inefficiency from the consumption side of the energy equation.
"Energy policy without a foundation of energy efficiency is like dieting without reducing food consumption. It simply makes no sense.
"In addition, energy efficiency is an engine of job creation and economic growth. Manufacturing more energy-efficient products and encouraging homeowners and businesses to audit their energy use so as to cut their consumption and costs will grow new jobs for our burgeoning clean energy economy.
"The Alliance to Save Energy also applauds the administration's plans to increase fuel economy standards for light-duty vehicles for model years 2012-2016 – a move it says will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program – and to upgrade the federal fleet to include 5,000 hybrid vehicles. We need more of this type of 'leading by example.'
"To sum up, unleashing the power of energy efficiency is the first and most essential step for meeting our nation's long-term energy needs."
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Energy efficiency is smart, nonpartisan, and practical. So are we. Our strength comes from an unparalleled group of Alliance Associates working collaboratively under the Alliance umbrella to pave the way for energy efficiency gains.
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