Energy Efficiency

Using energy efficiently is the single most effective solution for long standing energy problems. That is why CITIZEN POWER offers the energy efficiency services described below.

Reducing consumption can have a greater impact on our energy security than all of the energy technologies available to us. As President George W. Bush in his May 17, 2001 speech announcing his energy plan noted: The U.S. economy is 42% more efficient now than it was in 1970. This saved more electricity than all the power produced by all sources during the same time period.

Despite what powerful interest would like you to believe, the efficient use of energy is far more than "a sign of personal virtue" and does not mean you have to drastically change your lifestyle. New efficiency technologies are now available that enable you to save energy and remain comfortable, while making an important contribution toward displacing the need for building hundreds of new, unsafe or polluting power plants.

The cheapest and cleanest kilowatt is the one that is never used, often referred to as a "negawatt". By any measurement, choosing to build more coal and nuclear plants and drilling for oil in pristine natural sanctuaries instead of using efficiency and renewable energy technologies is bad public policy. For an exellent analysis on the impact of drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve versus the benefits of energy-efficiency, click here.

The typical U.S. family spends approximately $1,300/year on their utility bills. Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted. The amount of energy wasted through poorly insulated windows and doors is about as much energy as we get from the Alaskan pipeline each year. According to Fortune Magazine, only one third of U.S. manufacturers seriously scrutinize energy use, although this sector collectively spent $90 billion for energy in 1997.

It is often argued that environmental stewardship and economic interests are conflicting interests. The evidence suggests otherwise. Energy-efficient improvements not only make your home or workplace more comfortable, they can yield long-term financial rewards. Reduced operating costs more than make up for the higher price of energy-efficient appliances and improvements. For example, by replacing the lamp and ballast in use, a business can improve the quality of its lighting while cutting its lighting costs in half, and reducing associated pollution. In one year (March 1996 to March 1997), lighting retrofits alone saved Pennsylvania companies $40 million in energy bills or 475 million kilowatt hours of electricity and reduced power plant carbon dioxide emissions by 750 million pounds, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

• For some examples of how energy efficiency technologies can help reduce the need for new plants and reduce costs, click here

• For a more detailed analysis of the impact of using energy efficiency technologies, read this paper by the Regulatory Assistance Project.

• To learn more about energy efficiency technologies, visit these websites:

  American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy

  The Appliance Standards Awareness Project

  Alliance to Save Energy