Energy 2030 Recommendations
The U.S. can double its energy productivity by 2030 using cost-effective technologies and practices. Benefits to the nation from achieving this goal would be monumental. According to economic impact modeling, the net benefits could be over $1,000 a year in average household savings in utility and transportation costs, over a million added jobs, a one-third reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, and a similar reduction in oil imports.
The Commission urges policy makers and the private sector to take immediate and concerted action—based on the recommendations below—to grow our economy and create jobs while using less energy and reducing associated costs, environmental harm and security impacts. We recommend three overarching strategies to meet this energy productivity goal:
- Unleash Investment in energy productivity throughout the economy,
- Modernize Regulations and Infrastructure to improve energy productivity, and
- Educate and Engage consumers, workers, business executives, and government leaders on ways to drive energy productivity gains.
Because energy productivity gains are cost-effective, we believe these strategies can be implemented without burdensome mandates or massive government spending. To achieve this goal and its benefits, some public-private partnerships, and targeted government investments will be needed, and some rules will need to be reformed and strengthened. The detailed set of policy recommendations for federal, state, and local governments, as well as the private sector are available in a 16-page summary or full 40-page report.
