• Cut average household energy costs;

• Save American businesses $169 billion a year;

• Increase GDP by up to 2 percent;

• Decrease energy imports by more than $100 billion a year; and

• Reduce CO2 emissions by one-third.

“Stopping energy waste will help all Americans get the most out of their hard-earned income,” said Kateri Callahan, president, Alliance to Save Energy. “By doubling productivity, we’ll wring more out of every dollar spent on energy, helping families improve the quality of their lives by freeing up money to either save or spend on other things.”

The commission said its Energy 2030 plan maximizes energy productivity by expanding financing opportunities, reforming taxes and regulations, spurring innovation, strengthening standards, and building consumer awareness.

“Our Energy 2030 plan goes well beyond capturing the more obvious energy efficiency benefits to uncover significant economic opportunities,” said King. “The solutions will drive innovation and new technologies forward, improving and modernizing U.S. infrastructure and helping us to compete globally.”

The commission said that work already has begun to turn its recommendations into legislation. It will collaborate with its 13 honorary congressional vice chairs to develop legislative proposals at the national level as well as discuss the recommendations with Obama administration officials. In addition, it will advance its recommendations across the country at the local and state levels.

Publication date: 2/4/2013