Energy Efficiency Improvements at the State-Level

According to the latest Institute for Electricity Efficiency (IEE) study,in Y2010 the US saved 112 terawatts-hrs of electricity through energy efficiency efforts.  That amount translates to eliminating electricity demand of 9.7 million homes or reducing CO2 emissions by 78 million metric tons.  To the average American consumer,this means realized savings of greater than 3.5 cents per kilowatt-hour consumed.

To continue this trend,more than 6 States (if you count Washington DC as a State) are more then doubling their Electricity Efficiency (EE) budget,a further 37 States are increasing their investment (average increase roughly 25%),all in the effort to further cut overall electricity costs.

As a result,the IEE forecasts that the EE impact for Y2011 to be greater than 125 terawatts-hrs saved,an increase of more than 10% over the previous year.  What is the lesson from this?  If the United States can continue positive investment into economical EE measures across the residential,commercial,and industrial sectors,than we as a nation effectively hit multiple birds (reduce GHG emissions,reduce costs,promote economic growth) with one stone (Electricity Efficiency).