Policy Solutions

All Policy Documents Tagged energy efficiency

Boosting Energy Efficiency Nationwide Through Measurement and Performance-Based Rewards

Fact Sheet

Energy efficiency is the most cost effective means for reducing global warming pollution. According to McKinsey and Company, the energy bill savings from efficiency investments could roughly offset the cost of implementing a mandatory carbon cap. And many of these investments already make sense economically: McKinsey estimates that a $50 billion per year investment could result in $1.2 trillion in energy bill savings by 2020 while reducing end-use energy consumption by about 23 percent of projected demand. In addition to saving Americans money on their utility bills, investments in energy efficiency would put downward pressure on electricity, natural gas, and carbon allowance prices (when a carbon cap has been established), while creating 600,000 to 900,000 new jobs. Establishing a reliable measurement for energy efficiency performance and rewarding success in improving performance will help America reach its full energy-saving potential. Get document in pdf.

Opportunities for Agriculture
ACES legislation will bring new energy and income to America's farmers

Fact Sheet

The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) includes significant benefits for American farmers, including incentives for increasing energy efficiency and deployment of renewable energy sources. In addition, under the cap and invest system envisioned by the legislation, farmers could earn additional income through the sale of offsets -- credits for reductions in direct emissions or enhanced carbon sequestration on the farm. This legislation would provide the support that farmers and ranchers need, help them create new jobs and transform their businesses to succeed in a more secure and sustainable clean energy future. 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.

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.

Unlocking the Power of Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Energy Efficiency is the Fastest, Cheapest and Cleanest Energy Resource We Have

Fact Sheet

Energy efficiency is the fastest, cheapest, and cleanest energy resource we have. Efficiency saves consumers and businesses money on their energy bills, reduces global warming pollution and keeps American energy dollars here. America has the largest efficiency reserves in the world, and buildings are our largest source of efficiency that is just waiting to be tapped. 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. Recognizing that all that gaming could add up to serious demand for electricity, NRDC and Ecos Consulting performed the first ever comprehensive study on the energy use of video game consoles. 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.

Finding the Balance
The Role of Natural Gas in America's Energy Future

Issue Paper

This October 2008 issue paper discusses how investments in natural gas efficiency cost less and can bring benefits to the market faster than trying to increase supplies through drilling. The paper also provides recommendations for policy solutions that can provide short-term benefits and long-term energy solutions by incentivizing energy efficiency and supporting development of renewable energy sources.

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.

The Real Solution to High Gas Prices
Clean energy and greater efficiency can provide long-lasting relief from high gas prices.

Index

As many Americans are feeling the real pain of high gas prices, oil companies and the Bush administration are peddling a "drill everywhere" remedy that would not have a significant impact on domestic energy production or prices for at least a decade. The only real solution is to develop alternative sources of energy and to use energy more wisely. Congressional support for clean energy technologies, expanded public transportation and greater efficiency for the vehicles of tomorrow -- and those on the road right now -- will take us down the closest and fastest road to relief.

Boosting the Benefits
Improving Air Quality and Health by Reducing Global Warming Pollution in California

Issue Paper

California has the opportunity to combat global warming while simultaneously improving air quality and public health throughout the state. Measures being considered under the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) could save hundreds of lives and prevent thousands of other negative health impacts each year -- saving billions of dollars in healthcare costs. NRDC analysis shows that strategies for reducing global warming pollution -- cleaner cars and trucks, energy efficiency, renewable energy and smart growth -- also reduce air pollution and bring tremendous short- and long-term health "co-benefits."

The New Energy Economy
Putting America on the Path to Solving Global Warming

Issue Paper

How America and the world respond to global warming and our growing demand for energy -- and whether we respond in time -- will determine what kind of planet we have for generations to come. Fortunately, many of the technologies and policy tools we need to make the shift to cleaner energy solutions already exist, and we can deploy them without harming the economy. NRDC outlines six energy-sector opportunities that can help America reduce global warming pollution. The next step is decisive action by the U.S. government to facilitate these investments and reduce our global warming pollution the necessary 80 percent, or 10.6 billion tons, by 2050.

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.

Accelerating the Greening of China
Promoting Cutting-edge Environmental Solutions in China

Index

In the past three decades, China's explosive growth has resulted in serious environmental problems with impacts beyond China's borders. NRDC is working with key Chinese government agencies, research institutes, lawyers and environmental groups to help promote cutting-edge environmental solutions in China. These factsheets describe NRDC's work to help address some of China's most pressing environmental challenges.

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. This June 2007 report explores the full scale of the damage done by attempts to extract oil from liquid coal, oil shale, and tar sands; examines the risks for investors of gambling on these dirty fuel sources; and lays out solutions for guiding us toward a cleaner fuel future.

Costa Rica: Setting the Pace for Reducing Global Warming Pollution and Phasing Out Oil

Fact Sheet

Already a world leader in renewable energy use and tropical forest conservation, Costa Rica has declared the goal of becoming the world’s first carbon neutral country. To achieve this goal, Costa Rica must reduce its dependence on oil and increase investment in domestic renewable energy production and demand reduction strategies. Get document in pdf.

Why Coal Liquids Are Not A Viable Option To Move America Beyond Oil

Fact Sheet

Liquid coal is a polluting process that releases large quantities of global warming pollution into our air. America should instead pursue clean energy options such as efficiency, smart growth, and renewable fuels. Get document in pdf.

Strip Mining for Oil in Endangered Forests

Fact Sheet

Big oil interests are scraping away hundreds of thousands of acres in North America’s Boreal forest to produce tar sands oil, and in the process consuming large amounts of natural gas and generating three times as much global warming pollution as conventional crude oil production. Greater efficiency and renewable fuels are far better, cleaner ways to meet our energy needs. Get document in pdf.

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. NRDC studies measure the energy use of commonly owned electronics to see how much energy could be saved through product innovation. This index of NRDC information by product category presents research on 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.

Energy Efficiency Leadership in California: Preventing the Next Crisis
Preventing the Next Crisis

Report

California's energy crisis of 2001 would likely have been much more painful and protracted had not the state's residents and businesses, nonprofit organizations, government and utilities united behind the most successful statewide energy conservation campaign in history. And today, instead of slipping back into old habits, Californians are sustaining much of the conservation seen during the crisis, even accounting for the dampening effect of a slower economy. This April 2003 report from NRDC and the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group details how California has modeled some of the best possible ways that states can protect their economies and environments by working to reduce demand for electricity. The report also spotlights untapped savings that California should also be reaching for.

Improving Appliance Efficiency

Index

This index collects NRDC documents outlining policies and practices that will promote appliance efficiency.

Climate Change Technology and Policy Options
July 10, 2001

Testimony

Presented before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation by David Hawkins, director of NRDC's climate center, July 10, 2001.

NRDC's Washington, DC Eco-Office
Tomorrow's Workplace, Today

Report

This report contains information on environmentally friendly and energy-efficient building materials and technologies used in the construction of NRDC's Washington, D.C. office. The report includes product listings and contact information useful to building industry professionals and others interested in "green" architecture and design.