Energy efficiency improvements reduce energy use, thereby cutting all types of air pollutant emissions. Consequently, energy efficiency improvements improve public health, save lives, and reduce damage to crops, forests, and other ecosystems. 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 FY2001 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 complete priority rulemakings on water heaters, clothes washers, and air conditioners, as well as move forward on transformers and commercial heating and cooling equipment. 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. The increases are primarily for expanding activities with the paper and pulp and agricultural sectors, where there are many promising technologies for saving energy, providing new products, and cutting waste and pollution. It is our understanding that the fossil energy office does not want this project in their budget.