This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.

February 13, 2013

Commission Unveils Plan to Double U.S. Energy Productivity

A diverse coalition of energy experts made recommendations to double U.S. energy productivity by 2030. Credit: Craig Miller Productions

Energy experts in a coalition formed last year by the nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) unveiled a set of recommendations on February 7 designed to double U.S. energy productivity by 2030. The ASE's Alliance Commission on National Energy Efficiency Policy called for expanding the U.S. economy through investments, modernization, and education. These efforts will target the entire energy structure, including buildings, transportation, manufacturing, power generation, and natural gas infrastructure. The recommendations were made by a blue-ribbon panel of 20 energy experts, chaired by Virginia Senator Mark Warner and National Grid US President Tom King, and including Dan Arvizu, director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

The Energy 2030 plan maximizes energy productivity by expanding financing opportunities, reforming taxes and regulations, spurring innovation, strengthening standards, and building consumer awareness. The commission also anticipates that the plan will help the United States establish global leadership in energy efficiency. If adopted, the plan could help the United States add 1.3 million jobs; cut average household energy costs; save U.S. businesses $169 billion a year; increase the gross domestic product by up to 2%; decrease energy imports by more than $100 billion a year; and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by one-third.

The Commission will collaborate with its 13 Honorary Congressional Vice Chairs to develop legislative proposals at the national level. The Commission was formed in 2012 by ASE, a nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency worldwide through research, education, and advocacy. See the ASE press release and the full report.