CleanBeta

Higher Efficiencies Possible in Energy Efficiency Investing

In 2009, the United States will produce twice as much value per unit of energy as it did in 1970, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

The Washington, D.C.-based non-profit recently released a new report, titled “The Size of the U.S. Energy Efficiency Market: Generating a More Complete Picture.” The report lays out a strategy for reducing energy consumption by more than 25% in the next two decades.

In 2004, the energy efficiency attracted $300 billion in U.S. investments in energy efficiency, roughly a third of the nation’s total annual energy expenditures. The investment generated approximately 1.7 quads of energy savings in 2004 alone, which is roughly equivalent to the amount of energy needed to operate 40 mid-sized coal-fired, according to the group.

The report estimated that total investments over the period of 2008 to 2030 could be as high as $7 trillion. Carbon cap and trade legislation that’s being considered in Congress could also have a big impact on the energy efficiency industry, according to Cleantech Group.