National policies to improve energy efficiency can reduce oil imports, improve the reliability of the U.S. electric grid, save consumers money, reduce air pollution, create jobs, and reduce prices. The opportunities for realizing these energy efficiency savings are distributed throughout many end-uses, from manufacturing systems to transportation choices to home appliances. Federal policies that promote efficient investment in each sector and end-use are critical to tackling climate change, economic development, and job creation. In addition, federal agencies like the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provide essential nationwide energy efficiency programs, like the labeling program ENERGY STAR and the data gathering work at the Energy Information Administration.
National Energy Policy
Policy Priorities
An Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS) is both a state and federal policy that sets annual energy efficiency targets for a long-term period of time. An EERS is similar in concept to a Renewable Energy Standard (RES). Where an RES dictates...
Energy efficiency measures have been proven by many analyses to be the most cost-effective and fast-track way to address global climate change while reducing energy usage and more affordably expanding the use of renewable energy sources. In...
The federal government can advance energy efficiency by funding programs through the appropriations process. The federal government funds numerous energy efficiency programs run out of a handful of agencies, including the Department of Energy (DOE...
Investor-owned utilities (private companies with ownership shares held by stockholders) serve the majority of electricity and natural gas customers in the United States. These utilities are primarily regulated at the state level, where public...
The value of energy efficiency in properly implemented construction standards is universally recognized as the easiest and most cost-effective way to help consumers save energy and money, make housing more affordable, and reduce air pollution. All...
Minimum efficiency standards for residential appliances and lighting have been one of the most successful policies used by states and the federal government to save energy. Appliance efficiency standards prohibit the production and import or sale...
America' existing housing stock offers tremendous opportunities for energy savings. However, capturing this savings potential within the established structure of the home improvement market has proven to be quite a challenge. Homeowners...
Despite technological advances, average fuel economy of new cars and light trucks has declined from its peak in 1988 and has remained below that level due to increasing vehicle size and power, the rising market share of light trucks, and the lack...
Policies to improve energy efficiency can reduce oil imports, improve the reliability of the U.S. electric grid, save consumers money, reduce air pollution, create jobs, and reduce prices. These are short policy statements about ACEEE's...
Proposed Legislation
On May 12, 2010, after months of deliberation, Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Lieberman (I-CT), with input from Senator Graham (R-SC), introduced a discussion draft of comprehensive climate change legislation called the American Power Act of 2010 (APA...
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee reported out the American Clean Energy Leadership Act (ACELA) on June 17, 2009. This bill served as a counterpart to the energy provisions in H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act...
Energy efficiency naturally fits in the discussion of crafting legislation to create jobs. Energy efficiency projects are labor intensive and lower energy costs for consumers and businesses, allowing them to spend on more productive investments....
H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES), was passed by the House of Representatives on June 26, 2009 but did not become law due to inaction in the Senate.
This legislation created a cap-and-trade mechanism, a market-...
Past Legislation
In February 2009, Congress passed and the President signed into law an economic stimulus package estimated to cost $787 billion over two years. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) includes the single largest investment in...
In 2007, the new Congress put energy legislation high on its agenda, with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) passing just before Christmas, 2007. Following a change in leadership in the House and Senate after the 2006...
Following four years of unsuccessful attempts to pass an energy bill, the 109th Congress took up an energy bill again in 2005, with a House version passing in April and a Senate version passing in June. The Senate and House both approved a...
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) sought to comprehensively address U.S. energy needs, including an energy efficiency title that included several energy efficiency provisions. ACEEE estimated that these provisions had the potential to save...
Related Publications & Documents
(White Paper - 5/21/2012)
(Regulatory Filing - 5/17/2012)
(White Paper - 4/12/2012)
Related Items
(Blog Article - 5/22/2012)
(Press Release - 5/17/2012)
(Blog Article - 4/26/2012)
(Blog Article - 4/12/2012)
Related External Links
Addresses Canada's policy objectives by strengthening and expanding the commitment to energy efficiency.
Gives consumers and businesses information on federal tax incentives for energy-efficient products and technologies.
Represents county governments in the US.
Information about the proposed HOMESTAR program, which will provide financial assistance for residential retrofits.