In 2025, US citizens will have significantly lower energy bills thanks to energy efficiency measures that will make them more aware of their energy use, according to a major new report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DoE).
The National Action Plan Vision for 2025 is an updated version of a report first launched in July 2006. The document, originally designed to outline key policy recommendations on energy use in the US, has been revised with a 10-step programme to implement the plan.
The steps, designed to achieve blanket cost-effective energy use by 2025, include the establishing of new energy efficiency tests and measurement mechanisms, and the development of state-level policies to promote efficiency.
State of the art billing systems and advanced technologies such as smart grids and combined heat and power generation are also on the agenda.
Progress towards the goals will be measured every few years, but the report highlights steps that have already been taken to promote energy efficiency at a state level, noting that 29 states have fully established cost effectiveness tests for electricity use, while 24 have appointed an administrator for energy efficiency programmes.
The energy efficiency recommendations made by the document are particularly significant in the context of another recent report, which discussed the cost of controlling energy sources globally using military measures.
The Military Cost of Securing Energy, by the National Priorities Project, projected the cost of securing energy worldwide at between $209bn (£135bn) and $215bn in 2009, including portions of the budget for the ongoing actions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The report argued that the market price for energy does not reflect these costs, leading to an overconsumption, poor efficiency and a failure of the market.
"If the market price reflected the true cost, the quantity demanded by consumers would decrease, leading to more conservation, and making renewable, non-polluting energy alternatives more viable," said the report.
North Sea countries plan vast clean energy project 04 Jan 2010
Speaking at the Copenhagen Summit yesterday, Tony Blair urged political leaders to "get us moving" towards a low carbon future 14 Dec 2009
But uncertainty remains over how $22bn project costs will be covered 06 Aug 2009
"Britain will be the broadband capital," said Gordon Brown. We look at what Digital Britain will really mean 17 Jun 2009
Heavily trailed proposals to ban sending recyclable material to landfill made public 18 Mar 2010
Government announces extra £4.8m to support offshore wind R&D 18 Mar 2010
Secretary-General and climate envoy cross swords over the extent to which UN talks should be supported by separate negotiations between top polluters 18 Mar 2010
More news
As a journalist, I spend a fair amount of time defending the much maligned media industry to friends and family.... 18 Mar 2010
Andrew Williams casts his eye over some of the most popular green driving aids on the market 16 Mar 2010
From hydropower hot spots to record-breaking Texan winds, we run down the top stories from the past week 12 Mar 2010 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
