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Federal standards and energy labeling programs have saved energy and money. According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy in 2001, government energy-efficiency standards for appliances have helped reduce peak generating requirements by more than 21,000 megawatts, the equivalent generating capacity of seventy 300 megawatt power plants. Collectively, consumers saved an estimated $50 billion between 1990 and 2000 in reduced energy costs, with little or no impact on the purchase price of most products.
To search for energy-efficiency laws in your state, or by policy topic, visit the Alliance to Save Energy’s State Energy Efficiency Policy Index.
Tax incentives. Some states offer tax incentives to encourage consumers to buy energy-efficient appliances. To find out what’s available where you live, contact your state energy office or local utility company. The online Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy also has information about these and other incentive programs.
Unfortunately, changes in power plant regulations now threaten the environment. Under the ironically named Clear Skies Initiative, coal-fired power plants would be allowed to delay the installation of new technology to clean their stack emissions. The initiative would also weaken standards regarding mercury, allowing mercury emissions from power plants to increase some five-fold. Utility deregulation in many states has created further supply problems, which could cause state governments to authorize the use of highly polluting emergency generators and to delay upgrades from coal to cleaner-burning fuels such as natural gas.
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