Homeowner, contractor demonstrate improvements
to home that would become more common in Maryland
with passage of energy efficiency legislation.
Energy
efficiency programs reduce costs to consumers and slow rising energy prices
according to a new report released today by Maryland PIRG. The report, Energy Saved, Dollars Earned: Real-World
Examples of How Energy Efficiency Can Benefit Maryland Consumers, shows how
other states have used energy efficiency programs to delay the need to build
new power plants, improve reliability, create jobs, and strengthen the economy
for society as a whole.
“Energy efficiency programs can help
homeowners and small businesses tap into vast potential energy savings,” said
Johanna Neumann, state director for Maryland PIRG. “By passing the governor’s
energy efficiency legislation, lawmakers will deliver long-term savings on
consumers’ energy bills and strengthen the local economy.”
The
report profiles specific energy efficiency programs in other states and shows
how they benefit homeowners, businesses and industry. For example, through
public education and targeted rebates, New
York encourages homeowners to replace outdated and
inefficient appliances with energy-saving models. Participating families save
an average of $600 per year in energy costs. Programs in Pennsylvania help low-income customers
reduce their energy bills through free home energy audits and weatherization.
In 2004, the program saved the average low-income family in Pennsylvania about $300 per year, or 2
percent of their annual income.
Crofton
residents Lois and Jim Nichols recently took steps to make their home more
energy efficient. The Nichols’ replaced appliances and light bulbs with more
efficient models, injected insulation into their attic, replaced their heat
pump, and more.
"We
have been gradually making improvements over the last year or so in order to
reduce our carbon footprint and contribution to climate change, as well as to
lower our energy bills," said Lois Nichols, a retired educator. "We
have already noticed some savings and expect the insulation work to produce
substantial savings on our monthly energy bills. We would hope that utility
companies and state and federal government agencies would better support wise
energy policies through rebates, tax breaks and other incentives to help people
with the initial costs associated with energy-saving improvements."
Maryland
PIRG’s report found that efficiency programs create jobs and grow the economy.
For example, New York’s Energy Smart programs
have created 4,200 jobs since 2002, and Wisconsin’s
Focus on Energy program is expected to increase disposable income for Wisconsin residents by more than $4 billion over 25
years.
“Green collar jobs are the next big boom,” said Bob Logston,
a Green Energy Auditor with H.E.L.P. (or Home Energy Loss Professionals),
and an energy efficiency
contractor for more than 20 years. “Companies like mine are hiring and we need
skilled laborers who can do the work to help homes and businesses use energy
more wisely. With this new industry
comes job creation.”
Energy
efficiency investments are extremely cost effective. For example, every dollar
spent on efficiency in Connecticut
yields about $4 in consumer savings over time. Efficiency resources also cost
less than new energy facilities or new power lines. In 2005, efficiency
programs in Wisconsin saved electricity for 3 cents per kWh and natural gas for
18 cents per therm—60 to 80 percent less than average retail prices.
“The
least expensive kilowatt of energy is the one not needed,” said Maryland Energy
Administration Assistant Director Walt Auburn.
Maryland
PIRG’s report is available here.
