Environmental Issues: Energy

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All Documents in Energy Tagged energy efficiency

Efficient Appliances Save Energy -- and Money
Consumers get lower utility bills, and we all get a cleaner environment.
Guide

Energy efficient appliances are good for consumers and the environment. They won't solve our energy problems by themselves, but there are many reasons why they are a step in the right direction.

How to Reduce Your Energy Consumption
Tips for conserving electricity and cutting your energy costs
Guide

Energy efficiency and renewable energy represent the fastest, cleanest and least expensive ways to reduce our electricity use -- and our dependence on oil. Here, some tips on doing just that, for both individuals and businesses -- along with links to other resources that will help you conserve even more.

NRDC's Green Offices
NRDC's offices save energy and the environment by embracing green building design.
Overview

When it comes to energy efficiency, NRDC practices what it preaches with energy-efficient and green design features in each of our four offices. Since beginning the greening of our offices in 1988, we have achieved numerous economic and environmental benefits, including keeping millions of pounds of global warming pollution out of the atmosphere.

Combined Heat and Power Systems
Improving the Energy Efficiency of Our Manufacturing Plants, Buildings, and Other Facilities
Issue Paper

Improving the energy efficiency of our manufacturing facilities, buildings, and homes can help us meet our energy challenges affordably. Combined heat and power (CHP) systems are strong examples of how energy-efficiency technologies can help achieve significant benefits for end-user facilities, utilities, and communities.

Scaling Up Energy Efficiency
Saving Money, Creating Jobs, and Slashing Emissions
Issue Brief

Energy efficiency is a proven resource with significant potential to dramatically reduce power plant emissions and to do so at low cost. Power plants represent 40 percent of the nation's total climate-changing pollution.

Your Guide to More Efficient and Money-Saving Light Bulbs: 75-Watt Equivalent Light Bulbs
Fact Sheet

In 2007, Congress passed minimum energy efficiency standards for everyday light bulbs that will reduce consumers' energy bills by $13 billion per year, or $100 per household per year, and save 30 power plants worth of electricity annually once the standards are in full effect. These standards do not ban incandescent light bulbs -- they simply require them to be more efficient and go into effect in stages. The first year of the standards went smoothly and we expect a similar hassle free transition to better-performing 75-watt equivalent light bulbs. Get document in pdf.

It's Time to Build an Economy that is Stronger, Cleaner, Healthier, and Made to Last
Legislative Analysis

Clean energy and energy efficiency have provided a robust source for economic growth and innovation during difficult times and we should not reverse course. The impending budget sequester and expiring tax incentives will significantly reduce investment In technologies like wind and solar power, electric vehicles and weatherization. This will harm efforts to create new jobs, invent new technologies, and reduce energy costs while incentivizing utilities to pursue dirtier energy at the expense of health and the environment. Congress should close tax loopholes that are no longer needed, not cut programs that are already revitalizing the economy. Get document in pdf.

Is Cloud Computing Always Greener?
Finding the Most Energy and Carbon Efficient Information Technology Solutions for Small- and Medium-Sized Organizations
Issue Brief

As a growing number of small- and medium-sized organizations (SMOs) seek to improve the energy efficiency of their Information Technology (IT) operations by moving computing applications to an Internet-based "cloud" platform, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the associated energy and climate impacts.

The Promise of the Smart Grid
Goals, Policies, and Measurement Must Support Sustainability Benefits
Issue Brief

Smart grid technologies can be powerful enablers of important environmental benefits, but careful smart grid program design and implementation is needed to leverage the environmental benefits of smart grid technologies, and direct capital toward solutions that benefit the environment.

On-Bill Financing Programs
Overview and Key Considerations for Program Design
Issue Brief

On-bill financing programs are a promising way for utilities to help customers invest in energy efficiency improvements that can reduce utility bills, improve the value of the property, create new jobs, and deliver efficiency to the utility, which works to lower energy bills for everyone and reduce pollution.

Energy Productivity in Ohio
Efficiency Benefits to Power Jobs and the Economy
Issue Paper

Ohio has tremendous opportunity to improve its energy productivity and decrease the amount of money it sends to other states to import energy. Since the 2008 passage of bipartisan Senate Bill 221 that includes an energy efficiency portfolio standard, Ohio has already begun to realize increased productivity in the energy sector and across the larger economy.

Saving Energy in Server Rooms and Closets
Issue Paper

Energy waste in U.S. server rooms and closets represents the equivalent output of seven medium-size coal-fired power plants, costing U.S. businesses over $2 billion per year in unnecessary electricity.

Reducing the Need for U.S. Drilling Through Energy Efficiency
Fact Sheet

The toll from the April 20 explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico is devastating. Nearly 4 million barrels of oil have poured into Gulf waters,1 destroying fragile marine and coastal ecosystems and inflicting untold economic damages on businesses and residents in the Gulf region. The effects of this spill -- one of the largest in history -- will be felt for generations. Get document in pdf.

Summary of Energy and Transportation Provisions in the Economic Recovery Bill
Legislative Analysis

The economic recovery bill -- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ("ARRA"), H.R. 1 -- makes historic large-scale investments in clean energy resources, which will create jobs, save consumers and businesses money on their energy bills, and help our country begin to make significant reductions in global warming pollution. The bill also includes needed investments in transit and high-speed rail. The clean energy investments in ARRA total about $50 billion, which NRDC estimates will create 1.5 million jobs. In addition, the bill contains $17.7 billion for energy-efficient transportation. Get document in pdf.

Kick-Starting Building Efficiency
A Policy Workplan for Maximizing the Economic Benefits of Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Fact Sheet

The buildings sector is the largest source of global warming pollution in the United States, including emissions from generating the electricity used in buildings. Buildings and the appliances within them currently account for roughly one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and that number is on the rise. Fortunately, buildings also offer the quickest and most cost-effective opportunity to reduce global warming pollution while yielding direct economic benefits, saving consumers money and boosting U.S. industry. Energy efficiency measures such as retrofitting existing buildings and increasing the energy efficiency of new buildings can generate net savings using technology that exists today. NRDC recommends a clear set of policy solutions for reaping the immediate benefits of building efficiency. Get document in pdf.

Coal is Dirty and Dangerous
Efficiency and renewables are better options for repowering America with clean energy
Overview

Coal is America’s No. 1 global warming polluter, despite the industry hype. Clean energy alternatives are better choices for our health, welfare and the U.S. economy.

NRDC Follow-up Comments to the December 15, 2008 CEC Hearing on TV Efficiency Standards
Testimony

Written comments by NRDC senior scientist Noah Horowitz submitted on January 14, 2009 as a follow-up to oral testimony provided during the December 15, 2008 CEC hearing on the proposed minimum efficiency standards for new TVs sold in California. Get document in pdf.

Clean Energy Saves Americans Money
Clean Energy is the Real Solution to Unpredictable Oil Prices
Fact Sheet

Clean energy is cheaper and cleaner than oil, and the amount of fuel we can get from clean energy measures dwarfs what can be scraped from drilling. New NRDC analysis shows that, unlike dirty fuel options, clean energy strategies can actually save drivers money while reducing our oil dependency and slashing global warming pollution from the transportation sector. Get document in pdf.

Clean Energy: The Solution to Volatile Gas Prices
Fact Sheet

Newly updated NRDC analysis shows that the oil savings from clean energy measures can far outpace the potential oil production of drilling in America's protected areas. The real solution to volatile gas prices and oil dependency is a strategy that relies on energy efficiency, clean fuels, and transportation choices such as commuter rail -- not drilling. Get document in pdf.

Lowering the Cost of Play
Improving Energy Efficiency of Video Game Consoles
Issue Paper

Today, more than 40 percent of all homes in the United States contain at least one video game console. In this November 2008 issue paper, NRDC provides recommendations for users, video game console manufacturers, component suppliers and the software companies that design games for improving the efficiency of video game consoles already in homes as well as future generations of machines yet to hit the shelves.

Tax credits for Energy-efficient Commercial Buildings
Extension of the tax credits for energy-efficient commercial buildings, homes, and appliances will save Americans money and reduce global warming pollution
Legislative Analysis

The cheapest, cleanest and quickest response to global warming and high natural gas prices is to target energy efficiency. Studies have shown that energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to reduce global warming pollution.

NRDC Follow-up Comments on July 2008 CEC TV Standards Hearing
Testimony

Supplemental written comments in reference to the CEC's rulemaking to establish minimum energy performance standards for new televisions sold in California, submitted by Noah Horowitz, NRDC senior scientist, July 18, 2008. Get document in pdf.

Coal Is Hazardous to Your Health
Coal-fired power plants threaten the environment and your health.
Index

Burning coal releases enormous amounts of harmful pollutants into the air and water, with serious health consequences. Waste generated by coal-fired power plants contains hazardous pollutants that can contaminate our drinking water and cause cancer, birth defects and reproductive problems. This index of fact sheets describes the health hazards of our continued reliance on coal.

Driving It Home: Choosing the Right Path for Fueling North America's Transportation Future
Choosing the Right Path for Fueling North America's Transportation Future
Report

North America faces an energy crossroads. With the world fast approaching the end of cheap, plentiful conventional oil, we must choose between developing ever-dirtier sources of fossil fuels -- at great cost to our health and environment -- or setting a course for a more sustainable energy future of clean, renewable fuels.

Energy Use in Consumer Products and Opportunities for Energy Savings
Index

Home energy consumption will rise unless manufacturers take steps to improve energy efficiency for electronics such as big-screen televisions, cable boxes and digital video recorders. This index of NRDC studies presents research on the energy use of commonly owned electronics, energy saving options and policy recommendations.

Toward a Clean Energy Future in China
In-depth policy papers and analyses from NRDC's China clean energy project.
Index

Clean energy is a cornerstone of China's future -- sustainable energy development will bring tremendous social, economic and environmental benefits to the people of the world's largest nation. This index collects policy papers and other technical documents from NRDC's clean-energy experts.

Reducing America's Energy Dependence
Breaking our addiction to oil is the real solution to high gas prices.
Fact Sheet

By breaking our addiction to oil, Americans can save money at the pump while improving the environment, reducing oil imports and bolstering national security.

NRDC's New York Office
By making use of natural light and readily available energy-saving features, our retro-fitted office uses about one-third the energy of a conventional space.
Overview

NRDC renovated our New York City office in 1989 with the goal of putting our environmental principles into practice -- designing an office that would dramatically cut down on our energy use, while at the same time demonstrating to architects, builders, and businesses around the country that "green building" concepts can go hand in hand with pleasant, productive, professional workspaces.

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