WASHINGTON - An analysis released by the American Council for an Energy- Efficient Economy (ACEEE) finds that energy efficiency provisions in energy legislation in the Senate and House could reduce U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide in 2030 by 13 percent and 6 percent respectively relative to U.S. government predictions of 2030 emissions.

According to ACEEE, there is limited overlap in emissions savings between the two bills and by combining the best provisions of both, 2030 emissions reductions would total approximately 18 percent.

“These reductions in greenhouse gas emissions represent a significant down payment in efforts to address global warming,” said Steven Nadel, executive director, ACEEE.

The ACEEE analysis finds that the largest energy savings and emissions reductions in the Senate bill come from provisions to increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards and set mandatory oil-savings targets. Neither provision is ironclad, in that both allow substantial regulatory discretion. Other significant provisions in the Senate bill require fuel economy standards for heavy trucks, update and expand the federal appliance and equipment standards program, and establish a new program to promote green buildings. The Senate efficiency package, passed in June 2007, is also heavily weighted toward reducing the demand for oil.

For more information, visit www.aceee.org.

Publication date: 07/30/2007