WASHINGTON – Energy efficiency is the single most effective strategy for reducing carbon emissions, the Alliance to Save Energy said in a written statement submitted Wednesday for a congressional hearing on climate change. The statement, urging Congress to prioritize efficiency as a solution, was provided to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change, which is holding the committee’s first hearing of the new Congress Wednesday on the topic.

“Increased efficiency is an enormous economic opportunity, with tremendous untapped potential to create jobs and economic activity – particularly in the construction and manufacturing sectors – while strengthening U.S. productivity and competitiveness and saving Americans billions of dollars in energy costs,” Alliance to Save Energy President Jason Hartke said in the statement.

The statement cites the International Energy Agency’s findings that energy efficiency alone can account for more than 40 percent of the emissions reductions needed to meet global targets. It provides specific recommendations for advancing energy efficiency through infrastructure, transportation policy, buildings, tax policy, and funding of federal programs.

About the Alliance to Save Energy

Founded in 1977, the Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders working to expand the economy while using less energy. Our mission is to promote energy productivity worldwide – including through energy efficiency – to achieve a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security, affordability and reliability.

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