Everyone’s buzzing about the new study out of UC-Berkeley showing that California’s energy-efficiency measures have created 1.5 million jobs and saved residents $56 billion in energy costs since 1972. (See Joe Romm’s breakdown, or Brad’s.) Turns out efficiency works!
While it’s on everyone’s mind, I’d also direct your attention to "More Jobs and Greater Total Wage Income: The Economic Benefits of an Efficiency-Led Clean Energy Strategy to Meet Growing Electricity Needs in Michigan," a study done by Skip Laitner and Martin Kushler at ACEEE:
Generally, we find that cost-effective investments in the combination of energy efficiency and renewable energy generation technologies can actually reduce overall electricity costs, boost net employment, and reduce air pollutants within the state.
That paper was one reason Gov. Granholm signed strong energy-efficiency measures into law earlier this month.
And while you’re at it, check out "Energizing Virginia: Efficiency First," a similar study ACEEE did on Virginia. Virginia’s climate plan also gives efficiency top-tier status.
ACEEE has done similar assessments for Maryland, Florida, and Texas.
It also has a state scorecard that ranks states by efficiency. The top ten states:
- California
- Oregon
- Connecticut
- Vermont
- New York
- Washington (wo0t)
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- New Jersey
In short, ACEEE kicks ass and takes names. Respect must be paid.
