Environment Connecticut Calls On Congress To Pass Energy Bill This Year
Hartford – Connecticut rated a gold star for its bold
leadership to increase renewable energy, save energy, and require more clean
and efficient cars, according to a report released today by Environment
Connecticut.
The Environment America report, “America’s Clean Energy Stars: State Actions Leading America to a New Energy
Future” praised Connecticut officials for adopting bold policies to
promote clean energy that can provide a model for the entire nation. In releasing the report, Environment
Connecticut called on Congress to follow the lead of the states by passing a
strong energy bill that increases renewable energy, fuel economy and energy
conservation.
“Connecticut is rising to our nation’s energy challenge by taking action to reduce energy
consumption and promote clean renewable energy,” said Environment Connecticut
Program Director Christopher Phelps.
“While we can and should do even more to meet our energy challenges, our
leaders in Washington should stop dragging their feet. They can follow the road map provided by
states like Connecticut, and pass a strong energy bill this year that saves
energy, saves oil and moves America forward to a new energy future.”
In developing the report, Environment America researchers
looked at five areas of cutting-edge clean energy policy adopted by the state
governments: renewable electricity standards, the Clean Cars Program, utility
energy efficiency programs, energy efficiency standards for appliances, and
building energy codes.
A number of states, including Connecticut, were spotlighted
for special recognition in the report.
Connecticut is one of seven states – California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and
Washington –highlighted as “gold
star” clean energy states for adopting strong policies in at least four of
these areas.
· Renewable
electricity standards adopted by 25 states, including Connecticut, and
the District of Columbia would reduce global warming pollution by about 2
percent of current levels, the equivalent of taking more than 21 million cars
off the road and would generate enough power to meet more than 5 percent of
America’s current power needs.
· The
Clean Cars Program adopted by Connecticut and 11 other states would
reduce global warming emissions from cars and light trucks by approximately 74
million metric tons per year by 2020 – a little over 1 percent of U.S.
emissions in 2006 and the equivalent of taking 13.6 million cars off the road
and would reduce gasoline consumption by up to 8.3 billion gallons per year;
which is more than the entire state of Florida uses in a year.
· Energy
efficiency programs and standards.
If every state were to achieve the energy savings already achieved by
the most effective state programs, the United States could reduce electricity
consumption by about 8 percent compared to business-as-usual levels in 2020,
and avoid as much global warming pollution as taking nearly 49 million cars off
the road, approximately 4 percent of current U.S. emissions.
· Appliance
efficiency standards adopted by Connecticut and 11 other states since
2002 led to the federal government adopting some of these standards. The state standards combined with the
federal standards leveraged by the state action, will reduce U.S. carbon
dioxide emissions by about 1 percent of current levels, the equivalent of
taking nearly 12 million cars off the road.
And, they will save enough energy to meet about 2 percent of U.S.
electricity consumption in 2005 or enough to power 7.4 million American homes.
“State leaders have begun to move us in the right direction
on energy, but we must do a lot more at every level of government,” said
Phelps. “Congress should pass a strong energy bill that saves energy, saves oil
by increasing fuel economy for cars and light trucks to at least 35 MPG and
increases America’s use of clean energy, requiring at least 15% of our
electricity to come from renewable energy”
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