Energy Efficiency: Our Best Source of Clean Energy

Published: April 21, 2017

Increases in energy efficiency are an often-forgotten component of our shift to clean energy and reduced carbon emissions. Higher prices triggered by the 1973 oil embargo caused America to drastically change how it used energy. The ensuing gains in efficiency had more of an impact on America’s energy consumption than all of the growth in solar, wind, geothermal, natural gas and nuclear energy combined.

For more information, pick up a copy of Energy Efficiency: Building a Clean, Secure Economy, by James L. Sweeney.
 

Discussion Questions

1. What can we continue to do to maintain or increase energy efficiency?
2. How much of the United States’ shift to more energy efficient behavior occur because of the market and how much was due to government action?
3. How could positive trends in energy efficiency falter?