The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have established the State Energy Efficiency (SEE) Action Network that is designed to speed up the progress of energy-efficiency initiatives across the nation.
Driven by the Obama Administration's commitment to increase energy efficiency and reduce costs, the network will provide states with technical and policy support they need to invest in energy efficiency, helping to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, save energy and cut costs, according to the federal agencies.
A 2009 report from McKinsey & Company shows how the United States can save more than $1.2 trillion in energy costs across residential, industrial and commercial sectors.
Under the SEE Action Network, which will be led by the DOE and the EPA, the federal agencies along with other member organizations will help states with their energy-efficiency initiatives, including residential efficiency programs, financing solutions and improving availability of energy usage information.
The DOE recently released recommendations on how to achieve 50-percent energy savings in general merchandise, grocery store, lodging and medium office buildings.
The network will drive energy efficiency by using a set of goals established by the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, but plans to reach these goals five years earlier than the original target date of 2025. As an example, one goal includes the implementation of state-of-the-art billing systems that provide consumers with information on their energy use and costs.
The SEE Action Executive Group will meet for the first time in early March.