President Obama Embraces Energy Efficiency in 2012 State of the Union

In his State of the Union address on Jan. 24, 2012, President Barack Obama described his vision for “an America built to last” that makes efficiency a solid cornerstone of the equation. Throughout his speech, the president touched upon ways the U.S. economy could improve through energy efficiency.

By declaring that “the easiest way to save money is to waste less energy,” the president recognized energy efficiency as the cheapest and most straightforward solution to rising energy costs and a growing deficit. Obama is clearly committed to using energy efficiency to secure American energy resources, as outlined in his Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future.

Photo: Obama delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24, 2012 (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy).

Efficiency Answering the Call For Jobs

Stressing that “government support is critical in helping businesses get new energy ideas off the ground,” Obama asked Congress to write bills that will drive clean energy and create jobs. Members of Congress from both parties already have introduced legislation that would create jobs through energy efficiency:

• Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S. 1000), a bipartisan bill introduced by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) – who sat next to each other during the address – would create tens of thousands of jobs and reduce energy costs through improved efficiency standards. This bill was reported out of committee in an 18-3 vote.
• The SAVE Act (S. 1737), co-sponsored by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), would provide lower-rate mortgage financing for home efficiency measures, therefore creating construction jobs and saving homeowners money.
• Another bipartisan pair, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), authored legislation (S. 398) that would support manufacturing and reduce energy through the implementation of consensus appliance efficiency standards.

Improving American Manufacturing

During the speech, Obama remarked upon the importance of growing American manufacturing while making the most of America’s energy resources. As part of a larger goal to increase the energy efficiency of the industrial sector, the president announced a proposal to help manufacturers eliminate energy waste in their factories and give businesses incentives to upgrade their buildings.

Over the next decade these improvements could lower the nation’s energy bills by $100 billion, create American construction and manufacturing jobs, strengthen the economy and help ensure our energy security.  This objective is supported by a recent Alliance report  that highlights energy efficiency’s positive impact on the growth potential for U.S. manufacturing.

Saving Energy in the Navy

During his address, Obama discussed the Navy’s plans to save energy as part of a conservation effort by the Department of Defense (DOD), the world’s largest energy user.

Both the Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, a speaker at EE Global, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, a former Alliance board member, have put aggressive energy efficiency policies in place to meet DOD’s goal of reducing fossil fuel use. For example, a new provision in the recently signed National Defense Authorization Act requires metering of energy consumption at Naval piers, and enables improvement to the efficiency of ships while in port. 

Photo: From left, Alliance Honorary Vice-Chair Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.); Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.); Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.); and Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) listen to Obama's State of the Union address (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza). 

 Driving Transportation Efficiency

While only briefly discussing transportation as part of a “broader agenda to repair America’s infrastructure,” Obama has continually shown his strong commitment to making transportation more efficient across the United States. Last year he announced ambitious fuel economy standards for cars and trucks – 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016 – in addition to the first-ever fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles for 2014-2018. 

Since transportation is the second highest expense for most American households, sustained efforts to increase fuel efficiency standards will save consumers money and decrease dependence on foreign oil. The president also is striving to create more alternative transportation choices for Americans by promoting investment in mass transit and high-speed rail, and setting the goal of 1 million advanced technology vehicles on the road by 2015.

Lowering Costs for Education

Lowering costs for higher education and training students for high tech and science jobs also were high on Obama’s action list. His blueprint for keeping education affordable included proposals to reduce federal aid for schools that don't lower tuition and to fund colleges that encourage productivity.

The Alliance has seen success accomplishing these goals with its Green Campus program. For example, interns at CSU Fullerton worked to lower costs by identifying $340,000 in potential annual energy savings just from a campus-wide replacement of 32-watt lamps with 25-watt lamps. Additionally, 83% of Green Campus graduates currently hold “green jobs.”

More on the 2012 State of the Union

Alliance President Kateri Callahan released two statements on the 2012 State of the Union:

• Pre-Speech Statement: The Alliance to Save Energy on President Obama's State of the Union
• Post-Speech Statment: Alliance Response to 2012 State of the Union: Energy Efficiency Paves Way to ‘Economy that’s Built to Last’

The White House released three 2012 State of the Union Fact Sheets on jobs, energy and education:

• Fact Sheet - Overview to Support U.S. Manufacturing Jobs, Discourage Outsourcing, and Encourage Insourcing 
• Fact Sheet - Making the Most of America’s Energy Resources 
• Fact Sheet - Keeping College Affordable and Within Reach for All Americans 

Policy Sessions at EE Global 2012

Want to learn more about energy efficiency policy in the company of the world's leading industry professionals, academics and policy makers?  Come to EE Global in Orlando, Fla., March 27-29.

EE Global features policy-related executive dialogue sessions like:

• The Great Green Fleet and Beyond: Military Adoption of Energy Efficiency
• Help or Hindrance: Can EE Flourish Absent Government Intervention?
• Big Steps to a Smaller Footprint: Tackling EE Policy on a Global Scale
• Public-Private Partnerships: Bringing Government & Industry Together
• The Impact of Policy on Ensuring Access to Efficient Energy

Alliance to Save Energy Policy Intern Ali Levine contributed to this article.