Energy Saving News
Israel Wish To Learn Energy Efficiency From U.S.
Energy efficiency is doing more to power the economy in the US than any other fuel mainstay, says Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan.
Callahan is visiting Israel for the Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Conference as a guest of the Israel Energy Forum.
When policymakers look at the basket of renewable energies at their disposal, energy efficiency is the most potent for the least cost, Kateri told The Jerusalem Post in Tel Aviv on Sunday.
Without the energy efficiency measures implemented thus far, the US would use 50 percent more than it does now, she pointed out. “And the US is the biggest energy consumer in the world.”
She pointed some of the measures the States have taken, including phasing out incandescent lighting in favour of energy efficient light bulbs and increasing fuel economy standards even more to reduce usage by another 7%, she said. Carbon emissions will be reduced by 9%.
While 9% may not seem like much, it is actually equivalent to the total emissions of South Korea – the ninth largest emitter on the planet.
“15 to 20% of utility bills go towards lighting,” she added.
While it is easy to demonstrate why energy efficiency is critical in the US, apparently the average Israeli is unaware how critical it is here.
The Israel Electric Corporation quietly panics every time it gets too hot or too cold for fear of brownouts or blackouts. Israeli electricity reserves are hovering at 2%. That basically means if more than one or two generators go down at a time, then the electricity goes out.
But the government is having a hard time conveying to the Israeli public the electricity crisis.
Callahan said the most effective way to sell energy efficiency is through economic benefits. The government have been very active in the US in encouraging efficiency through tax breaks, tax rebates and refunds, Callahan said.
“The Obama administration has pledged $26 billion for energy efficiency,” she said to highlight how serious the US viewed energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency also costs three times less to implement than any other energy cost, she added.
“In the US, efficiency costs 1 to 3 cents per kilowatt hour. Coal costs 10 cents per kilowatt hour,” she said.
Sunday 14th February 2010
