U.S. Could Cut Energy Use in Half in 18 Years

The United States could cut demand for energy in half by 2025 if it aggressively invests in energy efficiency projects, a joint public-private study group has determined.

Led by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, the Energy Efficiency Leadership Group includes more than 60 states, energy companies and environmental organizations.

The effort would result in cutting emissions of carbon dioxide by 500 million metric tons (in 2006 the energy sector was responsible for 5.8 billion metric tons of emissions), and it will save the nation $500 billion on energy costs over time.

Though Vice President Dick Cheney once famously referred to energy conservation as nothing more than a "personal virtue," this report makes clear that there are many benefits to the U.S. economy. That's a fact that even companies heavily dependent on oil and coal have acknowledged with increasing vociferousness recently.

COMMENTS ()