Energy Future Coalition

Efficiency can meet our energy demand more cleanly, quickly and cost-effectively than any other available supply option. It offers a bridge between the conventional fossil fuel-based power of today and the clean power of tomorrow.

Goals

The United States, in partnership with other leading nations, should lead the world in doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvements within five years. By investing in efficiency, we will gain an energy supply resource that is clean, cost-effective, and homegrown.

Our Approach

Intelligent Utility Regulation: The Energy Future Coalition wants to change the way utilities are regulated to make energy efficiency the first fuel of choice in the United States. Currently, most utilities make their money by building power plants and selling electricity, not by investing in energy efficiency.  This policy unnecessarily burdens ratepayers and contributes to environmental problems associated with energy use.  Additionally, utilities are finding it increasingly expensive to build new power plants. However, utilities are uniquely situated to leverage both supply- and demand-side efficiency improvements. We are forming a Task Force of commercial and industrial energy users, electric utilities, banks, labor unions, and non-profit groups to make recommendations on how utility regulation can be changed to reward efficiency. Founding members include the United Nations Foundation, Ceres, and Bank of America.

Rebuilding America: At a time when America's workforce is in crisis and the housing sector in shambles, the U.S. building sector may be an important part of our economic recovery. The building sector currently accounts for 70% of all electricity and 33% of all natural gas usage, and is responsible for 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions.  By retrofitting existing buildings, we can create jobs, reduce electricity costs, and reduce global warming pollution. Rebuilding America can put 900,000 people back to work by retrofitting 4 million buildings in the near-term and 50 million buildings by 2020.  Click here for more information.

International Goals: The Coalition's domestic work will be done in conjunction with international outreach by a taskforce founded by the United Nations Foundation, Dow Chemical Company, and the Alliance to Save Energy. The work will be based on a report released by the United Nations Foundation and written by a distinguished group of energy efficiency experts on how to improve efficiency in G8 and major developing countries. Click here to access the report.

National Clean Energy Smart Grid: The Coalition organized a large and diverse coalition of grid experts, business leaders, environmentalists, and government officials to chart a strategy to develop a smarter electricity grid that moves clean energy from remote resources to population centers and enables greater energy efficiency. A clean, resilient, and intelligent grid is absolutely necessary to drive real increases in low carbon electricity and improvements in energy efficiency.  Click here to learn more about the Coalition's Smart Grid Program.