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Energy Efficiency

There is a growing consensus that, as demand and costs increase, the Northeast is facing a crisis. When compared to traditional fossil fuel supply, energy efficiency is a relatively clean, affordable and abundant resource. It has potential to play a major role in addressing current energy problems in the region, especially over the short-term.

Background

Energy efficiency provides an important opportunity for the Northeast to reduce its dependence on expensive and polluting fossil fuel supply, so advocating for policies that promote efficiency is a top...
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Energy Efficiency

Investments in energy efficiency reduce emissions and decrease demand for generation. Studies show that if the region takes full advantage of demand-side resources, it can achieve level load growth and decrease the need to build new power plants. For every dollar invested in efficiency, consumers save $4, and the investments and the savings can be spent in the region instead of being paid out for expensive fossil fuel supply. Efficiency investments provide jobs and grow the local economy.

 

Aggressive policies that take full advantage of the energy efficiency opportunity can help the region overcome its energy challenges. These include measures to:

New legislation, proposals, and rulemaking proceedings recently introduced in the Northeast include many of these reforms and will radically change the way energy is used and purchased in the region.