Real Prospects for Energy Efficiency in the United States

摘要

Energy from fossil fuels and nuclear and renewable sources provides power for the myriad activities that take place in residences and commercial buildings, the transportation of people and goods, and both light and heavy industrial manufacturing. In 2008, U.S. primary energy use totaled 99.4 quadrillion Btu, making the United States the world's largest consumer of energy. Yet although energy is essential to the U.S. economy, technologies exist today that can help make it possible to achieve significant energy savings and still maintain current lifestyles. The 1973-1974 oil embargo and each subsequent energy crisis prompted studies showing that the United States could save energy and money by investing in energy efficiency. But although U.S. energy use per dollar of GDP has declined over the past 30 years (EIA, 2008b), many of the energy efficiency technologies identified in those studies have not been implemented. Today, efficiency in energy use has taken on special urgency. Price fluctuations, national security concerns over U.S. dependence on imported oil, and growing recognition of the need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases have transformed energy efficiency from an option to a necessity.