As gas prices soar, studies tout energy efficiency

By Wendy Koch, USA TODAY

9:44 AM

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President Obama, accompanied by Orion Energy Systems founder and CEO Neal Verfuerth, center, tours the company in Manitowoc, Wis., on, Jan. 26, 2011. Orion Energy Systems makes high-efficiency lighting and renewable solar technology for businesses.

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By J. Scott Applewhite, AP

As gasoline prices soar, two new studies today highlight the nation's financial and environmental savings from an often overlooked source in the energy sector: efficiency.
Current efficiency standards for appliances, lighting and other equipment will save the United States the equivalent of two years of energy use or $1.1. trillion by 2035 and slash greenhouse gas emissions, concludes "The Efficiency Boom: Cashing In on Savings from Appliance Standards" report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Appliance Standards Awareness Project.
"Our research found that a combination of updates for existing standards and first-time standards for products like computers, TV set-top boxes and street lights would add to the track record of big energy, economic and environmental benefits achieved by standards," said author and ACEEE analyst Amanda Lowenberger in announcing the findings.

A second study released today, by Environment America Research & Policy Center, finds that more energy efficiency buildings could save Americans families $450 each year in utility bills and cut the global warming pollution from buildings by 30%. It says this pollution cut is equal to taking 320 million cars off the road.

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President Obama, criticized on the GOP presidential trail for rising gas prices, has embraced higher efficiency standards for not only products and buildings but also vehicles. He's proposed to nearly double the required fuel economy for cars and light trucks by 2025. Some companies have balked at the additional upfront costs, but energy efficiency has often garnered bipartisan support on Capitol Hill.

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