National Energy Efficiency Policy
When it comes to energy efficiency in the United States there are many policies that could be discussed but there is one major government policy that could promote energy efficiency more than the others. That would be to have a national energy efficiency policy put in place. There needs to be a standard that applies to all the states. Each state needs to do its part in the battle against climate change. Many states are well on their way in doing this but why should other states just sit back and do little or nothing? Twenty-five states have established an energy savings target or an energy efficiency resource standard (EERS). These states make up almost 60 percent of the electricity sales in the United States. (ACEEE 2014) That leaves 40 percent of the states to do nothing or have their own policy. There needs to be a minimum efficiency percentage that each state must make every year. If each state met a 2.5 % energy efficiency every year there would be a very large decrease in energy consumption. If a state went over 2.5% it could carry the excess over to the next year or get federal monies in return as an incentive. A national energy efficiency policy would put the states in competition for funding to comply. This could promote their states economy by funding different state programs to reach their goal.
One big issue for the federal government to implement a policy of this size is to verify how much each state actually did? How can they prove that the state has increased its efficiency and at what percent? I would develop a business that would go to different states and audit their energy efficiency policy. My company would also train state employees the correct process to work with private sector companies in getting the approval for energy efficient projects. Along with auditing and training, my company would help in the scheduling and planning of their future projects and goals. Future goals are the key to staying on track. If the state knows what it has to do in order to meet or exceed the minimum percentage it makes it easier to reach the goal. The business would not be involved in the states projects just the process of making sure they are in compliance. We would also send out monthly reports to show where they were in relationship to the set schedule. Someone has to monitor and verify that the states are doing what they say they are. I think a non-governmental private energy auditing company is a good business and a necessary business. The business name would be Energy Auditors of North America. (EANA)
ACEEE. ACEEE Policy Brief. April 9th, 2014. http://www.aceee.org/files/pdf/policy-brief/eers-04-2014.pdf (accessed 9 14, 2014).
Hi there! I do agree that while some states really are making an effort to be energy efficient, other are not and there should be some kind of policy for each state. I do think that the policy for each state would have to be different though based on the weather and population for each state. It is going to be easier for states like California and Florida to produce solar power than it will be for Michigan for example. I am a bit confused by what you mean when you say that each state should meet a certain percentage of energy efficiency.
When I refer to a percentage, that is the percentage that will be decreased do to energy efficiency. For example, if the state changed out all street lights to LED lights and they reduces there electrical consumption by 5% that would be good for two years or they could take the money.
Hi,
I do agree with your opinion that a nation-wide efficiency policy is needed. A big negative impact of only certain states doing there “fair share” is the looming threat of businesses pulling out of those states and moving into states with more “favorable” policies (not requiring businesses to alter operations to improve efficiency). Living in California I see this up close. Toyota is in the process of moving its headquarters out of California to Texas, seemingly finding California’s environmental regulations to be overzealous. I believe that all of the states need to figure out a balance between being environmentally responsible and business-friendly.
Here is a link to my post, if interested : http://engr312.dutton.psu.edu/2014/09/15/lesson-3-energy-efficiency-developing-reliable-ccs-rob-fulton/
Best,
Rob