New Energy Solutions News

Group Calls for State and Federal Action

Madison, WI - According to a new white paper released today by Wisconsin Environment, “Building an Energy-Efficient America: Zero Energy and High Efficiency Buildings” the country's energy consumption could be cut by 11 percent through simple building efficiency measures.

“An enormous amount of energy is wasted in buildings, and capturing this energy is vital in order to set Wisconsin on a new path to a cleaner, smarter energy future” said Dan Kohler, Wisconsin Environment Director.  “With global warming looming and energy prices soaring, we need to be doing all we can to save energy.”

Last week, Governor Doyle’s Global Warming Task Force approved a package of recommendations to reduce Wisconsin’s global warming emissions, including proposals to drastically improve energy efficiency and expand our commitment to renewable energy.

“Wisconsin is on the right track with energy efficiency and renewable energy and the Task Force recommendations are encouraging” said Kohler.  “What’s great is that this report shows we have the technology to meet and even exceed those recommendations. Now is the time for bold leadership at a local, state and federal level to transition Wisconsin and America to a clean energy economy.”   

“Building an Energy-Efficient America” describes policy steps that states and the federal government can take to significantly cut waste and realize our technological potential for energy efficiency:

·          Building energy codes should be improved and enforced. National model codes should be 30 percent more efficient by 2010 and state codes should match or exceed the model codes.

·          Federal, state, and local governments 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.

The energy savings that can be achieved through these cost-effective policies cannot be understated.

·          By 2020 we could reduce annual United States energy consumption by 11 percent through simple building efficiency measures such as more efficient lighting, water heating, and appliances, and by designing new buildings to be more energy efficient.

·          Strong energy codes alone, adopted nationally and adequately enforced, would reduce national energy consumption by 2 percent by 2030.

·          One quad of energy gained through building efficiency would cost $42.1 billion. This much energy would cost three times as much gained through new coal plants, and five times as much through new nuclear plants.

In September a major opportunity will present itself, when officials from towns and cities across the country come together to update the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) – the national model code most states use to shape how new homes are constructed.  The officials could vote to improve the model code to require new homes to be 30 percent more energy efficient.  

“This little known process represents one of the most important energy votes of the year,” said Kohler.  “Mayors who send their officials to vote for the 30% Solution won’t just be saving their citizens money, they’ll be setting the stage for the entire nation to dramatically reduce the energy we waste and global warming emissions,” he added.

Another key step towards modernizing our buildings is renewing the national energy tax credits.  This package includes tax deductions and bonds to help homeowners, builders and business owners construct buildings that waste less energy and take advantage of solar power.  The tax credits are set to expire at the end of this year and have passed the U.S. House numerous times but have been continually blocked by Senate Republicans.  We thank Senators Feingold and Kohl for working to pass these tax credits.   

Wisconsin Environment calls on decision makers to make a commitment to do everything it will take to move our country forward, past the old, inefficient and wasteful, and put ourselves on track to make all new buildings zero-energy by 2030.  In the short term, this means passing the 30 Percent Solution, renewing the energy tax credits, and committing Wisconsin to an aggressive plan to transition to a clean energy economy.   

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Wisconsin Environment is a citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.   www.WisconsinEnvironment.org

Building-an-energy-efficient-America.pdf