Study Finds Rich U.S. Energy-Efficiency Potential

worldwatch.org by Ben Block | Jul. 31, 2009 (Special Report)

The potential for energy-efficiency improvements throughout the U.S. economy is huge and entirely within reach if annual investments increase fivefold, according to a new McKinsey & Company report.

The global consulting firm estimates that $520 billion in investments would reduce U.S. non-transportation energy usage by 9.1 quadrillion BTUs by 2020 - roughly 23 percent of projected demand. As a result, the U.S. economy would save more than $1.2 ... Full Story »

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Dwight Rousu
3.8
 by Dwight Rousu - Aug. 6, 2009

Efficiency gives big returns, but gets little press. The article does not go into depth, but more information on the study could probably be gained from the full report.

Despite the dramatic increase in efficiency measures that will result from the stimulus act, the one-time funding source does not raise sufficient capital to reach the energy-efficiency goals outlined in the McKinsey report. “What we need is a 4-5 times scale-up [of investments] over 15 years to achieve the full energy efficiency potential,” said Hannah Choi Granade, a report co-author.

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