by jbs032610 c3 — March 29, 2010—Energy efficiency can create 38,000 new jobs for North Carolinians while saving consumers $3.6 billion in energy bills, according to a new report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). ACEEE notes that North Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the nation.
The report, North Carolina’s Energy Future: Electricity, Water, and Transportation Efficiency, suggests a broad set of policies that can meet nearly a quarter of the state’s energy demand and enables North Carolina to become a national leader in clean energy development and deployment while boosting the state’s economic growth.
ACEEE’s suggested policy recommendations include:
- Energy Efficiency Resource Standard: Set a statewide goal for long-term energy savings to spur the creation of programs and incentives for residents and businesses to make energy-saving improvements to homes, offices, and industrial facilities, lowering utility bills and creating local jobs in the energy efficiency, clean tech, smart manufacturing, building retrofit, and retail sectors.
- Livable Communities to Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled: Invest transportation dollars in a robust multi-modal transit system to encourage the growth of compact, transit-oriented communities and reduce statewide vehicle miles traveled.
- Clean Energy Innovation Hub: Enhance the state’s position as a global leader in technological innovation by facilitating greater collaboration among North Carolina’s clean energy industry leaders, universities, research facilities, and policymakers to boost clean energy innovation, business development, and leadership in the state.
