Energy efficiency improvements cut air pollutant emissions and reduce the risk of oil spills and other environmental problems. Consequently, energy efficiency improvements improve public health, save lives, and reduce damage to crops, forests, and aquatic systems. And energy efficiency improvements will cut emissions of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases, thereby slowing global warming while saving consumers money. In spite of impressive efficiency gains in the past two decades, there remains enormous potential for further cost-effective efficiency improvements throughout the U.S. economy. Based on our initial review of DOE's FY2000 budget request, we have identified several programs where an increase in funding is particularly important in our view.
Appliance standards provide huge benefits for consumers and the nation.
Additional funding is needed to keep priority rulemakings on schedule and start work on other products where DOE is far behind the legislatively mandated schedule. This is a very promising advanced technology which could yield enormous benefits if key components can be improved and costs can be reduced. The project deserves greater funding that is sustained for a number of years. This program is playing a valuable role in educating consumers and overcoming barriers to the adoption of new technologies, some of which DOE helped to develop. Additional funding is needed to cover a wider range of products and increase promotion efforts.