Energy efficiency is
touted by energy and environmental advocates as the cheapest and easiest way to
reduce energy costs and consumption. Environment Ohio released a report on Tuesday that attests
to this notion of energy efficiency being the state's greatest asset and calls
on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to help the
cause.
"Energy efficiency is
the cleanest and cheapest energy resources, and we should be doing everything we
can to save energy which will lower energy bills for all Ohioans," said Amy
Gomberg, spokeswoman for Environment Ohio.
According the report,
"Building an Energy-Efficient America: Zero Energy and High Efficiency Buildings," Americans' energy consumption
could be cut by 11 percent through simple building efficiency measures. With
standards set on all levels of government, increased energy efficiency measures
for buildings can secure huge energy savings in new and existing
buildings.
Gov. Ted Strickland
and the Legislature set an energy efficiency standard in the recently passed
SB221, Ohio's
energy policy signed in May 1, 2008. Based on these standards, Ohio's utilities need to
invest in energy efficiency by 2009 and increase their investment yearly through
2025. The cumulative savings under the bill is projected at 22 percent over the
next decade.
"This report confirms
that there is huge energy and cost savings through energy efficient buildings,"
said Gomberg. "Now it is up to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to ensure
that all Ohioans experience the benefits of energy efficiency in our homes,
businesses and industries."
Gomberg explained
that nearly half of the energy used in the U.S., or 10
percent of the energy in the world, is consumed by power to buildings, both
residential and commercial. Much, if not most, of that energy is wasted. In
order for Ohioans to realize energy efficiency benefits, based on SB221,
requires the PUCO to take the following actions:
- Enforce SB221 Ohio,
and require Ohio's electric utilities to meet the minimum
energy efficiency requirements without creating
loopholes;
- Ensure public
confidence in the energy efficiency achievements with consistent monitoring and
verification of efficiency programs and savings;
- Provide fair
incentives for homeowners, businesses, manufacturers and utilities to invest in
energy efficiency improvements.
"Ohio has a blueprint for
energy efficiency savings with the passage of recent energy legislation," said
Brandi Whetstone, coordinator with
Sierra Club's Ohio Chapter Conservation Program. "Ohio should have no
problem meeting or exceeding the minimum efficiency benchmarks by moving forward
with simple building efficiency measures, which will create local jobs, save
money and curb global warming emissions."
According to the
report, additional policy steps for individual states and the federal government
are outlined as follows:
- Both national and
state building energy codes should be improved and enforced, these codes should
be 30 percent more efficient by 2010 and state codes should match or exceed the
model codes;
- All levels of
government should adopt policies that encourage building far beyond code and
retrofitting existing buildings for increased
efficiency;
- Policies should be
designed to encourage on-site renewable power;
- Political leaders
should set the goal for all new buildings to be zero net energy by
2030.
By 2020 the
U.S. could greatly reduce annual
energy consumption with more efficient lighting, water heating and appliances,
and by designing new buildings to be more energy efficient. Additionally, one
quad of energy gained through building efficiency would cost $42.1 billion. This
much energy would cost three times as much if gained through new coal plants,
and five times as much through new nuclear plants, according to Gomberg who
explained the details of the report.
She said an upcoming
September vote by officials from towns and cities across the U.S. will
collectively create the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) - the
national model code most states use to shape how new homes are constructed.
Building officials will be voting on whether to include the "30 Percent
Solution," which would require new houses to be 30 percent more
efficient.
Environment
Ohio said that with enforcement by the PUCO to
set strong energy efficiency rules and the federal government to pass the 30
Percent Solution and renewing federal tax credits, Ohio will be on track for
reaching the requirements for all new buildings zero-energy by
2030.
Gomberg said two
Ohio mayors
have already taken the lead on passing 30 Percent Solution standards for their
communities. Mayor David Berger of Lima and Mayor
Thomas O'Grady of North Olmstead are already
preparing builders in their cities to increase their energy efficiency
standards. Gomberg stressed the importance of PUCO's further encouraging
communities to adopt these energy efficiency building standards so that
residents and businesses can reap the benefits of "green
buildings."
"We can save
consumers money by taking advantage of the large energy efficiency savings that
are already at our fingertips," said Gomberg. "We look forward to working with
the PUCO to ensure that the all of the clean, efficient, homegrown energy
opportunities in Ohio are a part of our clean energy
future."
