Here's the back story: Senate inaction on energy/climate leaves me disheartened yet more determined than ever to do something, now. A recent conversation with a voter revealed that energy efficiency measures have saved her $40 per month on electric bills over the last year. (I love connecting with voters...lots of learning and inspiration for me). Finally, a comment by Kossack FishOutofWater gave me a big nudge.
"We are wasteful and inefficient users of resources." FishOutofWater 6-29-10
The Senate failed despite having a willing participant in the energy industry. Utility companies support a bill that mandates greenhouse gas emissions and favors renewable energy. They prefer dealing with Congress, not the EPA/ Clean Air Act.
"Industry has been here over and over again literally begging the Senate to put a price on carbon. " Senator Mark Udall, D-CO
Maybe the climate peacocks didn't want to stick out their necks before midterm elections, or the fear of being targeted by teabaggers for backing climate measures was too much to bear. Some say the recession makes it difficult to pass legislation that could increase electricity costs. Enter California.
The state of my birth has been proving for three decades that strong energy efficiency efforts keep per capita electricity demand flat.
Efficiency is more profitable than generation.
Energy efficiency is the most important climate solution because it creates a limitless resource as technology keeps improving and knowledge spreads to more and more people. Recycled/renewable energy and vehicle fuel efficiency solutions must be part of the approach, but energy efficiency is by far the fastest and most inexpensive solution to employ. So inexpensive that it will pay for the other solutions.
We must persuade the Federal Government to require states to adopt California-like energy efficiency strategies. The U.S. Department of Energy, a 15 billion dollar agency, should lead the way. Decades-long DOE research indicates potential savings of tens of millions per year, the highest documented return rate of any Federal program, if energy saving measures are taken.
Building a Clean Energy Economy
How does California do it? A successful combination of forward-thinking laws and creative business practices. The California Energy Commission has promoted strong building standards and aggressive energy efficiency technologies. Building standards such as better insulation and energy efficient lighting, heating, and cooling have been state mandated. For example, the state found that residential air ducts leak 20-30% of heated/cooled air. Flat roofs on commercial buildings must be painted white, and the entire state converted to high-efficiency LED traffic lights.
Decarbonizing the Power Grid
By 2004, energy efficiency costs in California dropped to an average of 2 cents per KWH, less than one-fifth the cost of electricity generated by coal, nuclear, or natural gas. California regulations ensure that utility company profits are not tied to the amount of electricity they sell. This "decoupling" allows utilities to take a share of energy savings. California utilities make money when their consumers save money, and most importantly, energy. Imagine that, a capitalistic approach that promotes both environmental and economic security! A full list of California's energy efficiency standards is here.
Needless to say, dirty energy companies are not enjoying the fruits of California's clean energy labor. A ballot proposition seeks to undermine the state's remarkable clean energy successes. Proposition 23, bankrolled by two Texas oil companies that operate refineries in California, hopes to suspend AB32- California's global warming legislation passed in 2006. In addition, the proposition would eliminate the cap and trade plan for businesses, a low carbon fuel standard for gasoline, and the requirement that utilities obtain 33% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
NO ON PROP 23!