EFFICIENCY IN 2011

Energy Efficiency in 2011: Progress on Many Fronts, Treading Water on Others
Steven Nadel, December 28, 2011 (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy)

"With 2011 drawing to a close, now is a good time to take stock of energy efficiency accomplishments over the past year...[U]tility-sector spending on energy efficiency programs is likely to be more than $6 billion for the year…[It was also a] peak year for energy efficiency spending by state and local governments using funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA—the stimulus bill passed by Congress in 2009). As a result, many homes and buildings were weatherized and millions of pieces of efficient equipment installed.

"…[In addition,] many states were active on energy efficiency policy this year. Our 2011 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard found that 35 states have either adopted building codes specified in ARRA or are on a clear path for doing so, up from 17 states in 2010...Likewise, two states (Arizona and Missouri) have improved the business case for utility investments in energy efficiency, with cases pending in four additional states (Maryland, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Washington)…"

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"At the federal level, the first-ever efficiency standards for heavy-duty trucks were finalized and new standards for passenger vehicles proposed. The truck standard will reduce truck fuel use by 6–23%, depending on truck type, and the passenger vehicle standard is projected to bring average new vehicle fuel economy to just under 50 miles per gallon by 2025. In addition, new standards were established for six categories of appliances…These standards will reduce the energy use of these products by about 10–25%...

"…EPA issued new regulations for emissions of toxic pollutants by power plants…[but 2011] was not a good year for federal energy legislation…[T]wo energy efficiency bills [with] strong bipartisan majorities…[failed to reach the floor]…And in a year-end compromise with the House of Representatives, funding restrictions were enacted on enforcement of lamp efficiency standards. Fortunately, the law is still in effect and U.S. manufacturers have indicated they will follow the law, even if it is not enforced…"