US could save more through federal efficiency measures

clipped from www.energyefficiencynews.com The US could save more than $168 billion though improved electricity and gas efficiencies, a 16% increase on previous estimates, says the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The organisation’s report, Laying the Foundation for Implementing a Federal Energy Efficiency Resource Standard, indicates how federal adoption of efficiency standards could reduce electricity demand by 15% and natural gas demand by 10% by 2020. A federal energy efficiency resource standard (EERS), which aims to drive utilities and other programmes to help consumers reduce energy usage, was established first by Texas in 1999. The EERS encompasses the introduction of measures such as energy audits, rebates on measures such as efficient air conditioners, water heaters and lighting systems, incentives for home retrofits and low-interest loans. Since then, 18 other states have adopted EERS programmes and three others are considering similar policies.