Energy Efficiency

A Fuel Every Oklahoman Owns

We live in a time of serious concern about Energy and its costs. There is no doubt we have witnessed growing impacts on every Oklahoman's life and budget. Supplies are considered scarce and demand is considered on the rise. All across our country the search has now begun for an American future where energy independence can safeguard our national safety and our quality of life. Some have termed our dilemma an ‘impending energy crisis.' Yet, a big part of the solution may be cheaper and easier than we think, in the form of energy efficiencies.

You see, the cheapest form of power and energy is that kilowatt saved and never generated. Call it conservation, call it fiscal discipline, call it a cleaner America, but whatever you call it be sure to call it Cheap. In fact, Energy Efficiency programs, at work in many states, have been implemented at a cost of only 3¢ per kilowatt hour, as opposed to the nearly 8¢ per kilowatt hour paid today by Oklahomans for electricity.

The "Fifth Fuel," Energy Efficiency is unlike: 1. coal, 2. nuclear, 3. natural gas or 4. wind power, because it's something every single citizen owns and controls. And it's time that this citizen-owned fuel becomes a greater resource for Oklahoma's energy future.

So what is energy efficiency, what does that mean for you and me, and how can it help?

How it helps
Energy efficiency would help to address our growing energy needs and rising energy costs. The amount of electricity and gas used in the United States is expected to rise over the next 25 years, putting stress on current systems and driving up energy costs. The increasing demand for electricity and natural gas requires your utility to find new supplies of energy. Most new supply options require a great deal of money up front, which increases your utility bills.

With energy efficiency programs, you can benefit from lower energy bills, but the benefits are not limited to just your pocketbook. The benefits of Energy Efficiency can:

• Reduces customer energy bills.
• Gives customers greater control over energy costs.
• Performs at a lower cost than new energy supply from new power plants in many cases
• Reduces air pollution and greenhouse gases.
• Can create jobs and improve state economies

What it is
Energy efficiency refers to products or systems using less energy to do the same or better job than conventional products or systems. In today's world, there are many efficient products, homes, and buildings. They include efficient appliances for the kitchen, heating and cooling equipment, home electronics, and other products to weatherize our homes and improve the efficiency of buildings and industrial facilities.

If Americans took advantage of these more efficient products and took steps to improve the efficiency of their homes and buildings, they could save 10 to 30 percent on their energy bills, cost-effectively. It could help prevent or delay the need for building dozens of new power plants or other new energy infrastructure. In addition, it can help create jobs, keep energy prices reasonable, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

What it means for utilities
Energy efficiency offers an alternative to utilities as well. When energy providers use energy efficiency to help their customers reduce the amount of energy required, instead of investing in new energy supplies to meet the growing need for energy services, it provides many other benefits while not requiring a lot of money up front. The energy provider also benefits by reducing the costs of meeting its customers' needs. Because energy efficiency often costs less than building or buying most new supplies, this can prevent greater rates increases for the electricity and natural gas that you buy.

Studies show that energy efficiency helps the local economy. Instead of importing natural gas and electricity supply from outside of your community, energy efficiency relies on domestic and local companies and retailers to provide energy management services and energy-saving products.

Energy efficiency programs also provide customers with home improvements that enhance home comfort and increase property values for homeowners and businesses.

You can also feel good that you are doing something for the environment by supporting energy efficiency investments. Power plants and natural gas use are currently responsible for about 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to the risks of global climate change. In fact, the energy use in the typical home contributes twice the greenhouse gas emissions as a typical vehicle in a year's time. By reducing your own energy use, you can help reduce these emissions, as well as air pollution, water use, and the amount of natural resources (fossil fuels) being extracted from the earth. All of these actions help protect human health and our environment.

Energy efficiency also helps protect national energy security. Using less energy protects the economy and consumers from possible price fluctuations and from energy service disruptions due to natural