One of the best and least expensive ways to reduce the amount of energy we use is by using it more efficiently. Efficiency measures can have as big an overall impact as the use of newer energy technologies such as wind and solar power.
In 2011, the Obama administration launched the Better Buildings Challenge – whose goal is to improve the efficiency of commercial and institutional buildings and industrial plants by 20% or more by 2020. Companies, universities, school districts, and state and local governments are stepping up to this challenge and committing to new efficiency measures.
Participants are taking action with showcase efficiency projects and with long-range plans to achieve lasting energy savings. But more than this, participants are strongly encouraged to share their cost-effective approaches to energy efficiency.
Large energy users often balk at revealing their energy efficiency strategies because such cost-cutting actions can give them a competitive edge in their businesses. However, without hearing about these successful approaches, other institutions are forced to reinvent the wheel, or perhaps not succeed in improving their energy efficiency at all.
Recently, a dozen companies won awards for their work in energy efficiency at the annual Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships Summit in Springfield, MA. These organizations have made substantial progress in energy efficiency and are sharing what they have learned with other companies. By publicly disclosing how they are reducing their energy use, these companies are increasing the chances that American industry can meet the goals of the Better Buildings Challenge, which is good for everyone.
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Web Links
Better Building Challenge
http://www4.eere.energy.gov/challenge/home
Business Leadership for Energy Efficiency
http://www.neep.org/neep-supporters/business-leadership/index
Photo, taken on February 27, 2008, courtesy of Walmart Corporate via Flickr.
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