The federal government continues to pursue energy efficiency in an effort to limit emissions linked to climate change. President Obama’s strategies for the future include providing customers with choices for energy saving cost reduction as well as the introduction of innovative green technology.
Apart from Department of Energy’s programs such as EERE biomass, many other programs may see a rise in activity in the future. The Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Guarantee Program has seen an increase in funds for feasible vehicle technologies. Annual demand reduction targets have been called for to reduce the demand from Department of Energy’s projected levels by 15% till 2020. For making new buildings carbon neutral by the next decade, a goal has been set to improve the efficiency of buildings by 50%.
There are also plans to get 1 million plugin electric vehicles driven by 2015. The administration will keep using agencies for increasing the use of renewable energy on bases and in federal buildings.
The President’s signing of the executive order will help to address the barriers that have been preventing energy efficient technologies from working to their full potential in the United States. These barriers include high up-front costs and rate structures that have no support for end-use efficiency. The plan also calls for coordination of regional stakeholders that would further facilitate energy investment. Clean Energy Application Centers to provide information in the application of CHP has been set up in 8 regions by the U.S Department of Energy.
The President is expected to build on the success of what he has achieved so far. His administration has been putting funds in technologies that are progressing in energy-efficiency from energy-efficient cars to zero energy homes since 2009. The stimulus plan has led to $90 billion in grants, tax incentives and loans. The amount has funded almost 600,000 homes and energy programs.
Southwest Energy Efficiency project conducted a new study, findings of which were for every dollar spent on improving energy efficiency, residential consumers would have $2 in savings. Obama’s future plan focuses on energy security as opposed to energy independence, which leaves room for initiating other energy projects to increase efficiency. Sandy storm’s victims were given disaster relief funds as a part of the Low income Home Energy Assistance Program. New York received around $340 million under the energy program. People rebuilding have been asked to consider reduced air infiltration and insulated air ducts.
Home owners can expect more technologies and grants to be introduced for increasing energy efficiency. With implementation of LEDs, energy-efficient appliances, cooling and light-emitting diode, they can drastically reduce the cost of utilities. Rates for energy efficient plans are available in different states. For example, home owners living in Texas can get rate quotes from sites like www.
Apart from saving energy which will help to cut down the cost, home owners are also playing a major role in protection of the environment. They’ll continue to support for using of energy-efficient solutions.
Please bookmark!
No comments:
Post a Comment