Energy efficiency is being able to perform the same task, but using less energy to do so. It is a simple, low-cost way to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption while also lowering your home or building’s utility bills. It also helps to enhance air quality and flight climate change, the effects of which many of us are experiencing through stronger winter storms, extreme droughts, prolonged heat, and wildfires. The benefits of energy efficiency are vast, but these benefits can be seen in our communities where energy efficiency creates good-paying local jobs and strengthens local economies. Did you know that 99.7% of all counties in America have energy efficiency workers?
October 4, 2023 will be the eighth annual Energy Efficiency Day, a day celebrated across the country that is dedicated to showcasing the power of energy efficiency! Want your local government to highlight and promote the benefits of smarter energy use? You’ll find resources on our website to help pitch #EEDay2023 to your elected officials. You can point them to simple tools they can easily use to draft and adopt an Energy Efficiency Day proclamation.
Why Should Your Local Government Issue a Proclamation?
Investing in energy efficiency opportunities is a great way for cities and towns to save money on energy and water utility costs, and demonstrate leadership to the community it serves. Local governments nationwide are making commitments to clean energy and energy efficiency, and their impacts are enormous. But we need to do more.
An Energy Efficiency Day Proclamation shows your local government—whether municipal, county, or state–is committed to:
Saving Money: Due to a combination of federal standards and the ENERGY STAR product certification program, the energy efficiency of appliances has significantly increased since the 1980’s. The average U.S. household saves almost $500 annually thanks to current efficiency standards that apply to new appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators and water heaters. Many municipalities defer maintenance and energy efficiency retrofits to their facilities to save money in the short term. However, research shows “every $1 deferred in maintenance costs $4 of capital renewal needs in the future.” Committing to energy efficiency means reducing waste and using taxpayer money responsibly.
Cutting Pollution: Energy efficiency helps reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with fossil fuel power plants. Buildings are responsible for roughly 40% of the nation’s energy consumption. By 2030, 87% of U.S. energy use will be in and around America’s cities (source: IEA). Cities can act to address, including:
- implementing building standards and energy codes
- measuring and tracking energy performance
- setting energy efficiency targets, and
- properly training city building operators and technicians
Creating Jobs: Energy efficiency employs more workers than any other clean energy job sector: 2.2 million U.S. workers of 3.1 million total (source: U.S. Dept of Energy).
Protecting Affordability: Low-income households spend three times more of their income on energy costs than non-low-income households, according to a report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The report also finds that Black, Hispanic, and Native American households spend a much larger share of their income on energy than white (non-Hispanic) households. Yet it finds that home weatherization can reduce the energy burdens of low-income households by about 25%.
Demonstrating Leadership: Nearly 50 cities, counties, and states, and universities issued 2022 proclamations recognizing Energy Efficiency Day – as did the U.S. Senate. By adopting a proclamation, your local government shows leadership in supporting a clean, affordable, and prosperous future. Sharing that news with local residents and the news media can further amplify efficiency’s benefits.
How Can My Local Government Adopt an EE Day Proclamation?
Now is the time for local leaders to show support for energy efficiency in our communities and statewide. All cities, counties, and leaders across the country can get involved this year! The Energy Efficiency Day proclamation toolkit offers all the resources you need to urge elected officials to officially recognize Energy Efficiency Day 2023 with a proclamation.
For residents, stakeholders, and anyone interested in supporting energy efficiency, this email template provides all the details you need to promote Energy Efficiency Day to your elected officials. The proclamation template contains language for your city to easily adopt an official proclamation.
Energy efficiency is the cleanest, fastest, and most cost-effective choice to meet America’s energy needs and cut air pollution. It saves consumers, businesses, and local governments significant amounts of money, creates jobs, and boosts the economy. We can all benefit from energy efficiency.
Join us on Energy Efficiency Day on October 4, 2023, to celebrate energy efficiency! Sign up as a supporter, and ask your elected officials to issue a proclamation.
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