By doing so, they increase the likelihood that these technologies will be adopted by non-participating companies, universities, hospitals, and state and local governments as well. The broadest possible use of these technologies generates an additional economic benefit for the United States, because in many cases the technologies are developed and sold by American companies. In addition, because these technologies usually reduce emissions of many air pollutants besides greenhouse gases, they help us achieve a number of our long-term health goals. Perhaps the most important quality of these programs is that their benefits are immediate . When an investment is made today in energy-efficient technology, energy use drops immediately .
Money is saved immediately .
Air pollutants, including greenhouse gases, are reduced immediately. All those savings resulting from new technology deployment continue to accrue for decades to come, resulting in enormous aggregate benefits. In other words, if we are concerned about air quality in 2010 and beyond, if we are concerned about the effects of global warming in the year 2010 and beyond, we can address those concerns today in the decisions we make to purchase new capital stock. EPA's CCTI programs already funded by Congress are helping American businesses, communities, and consumers make better investment and purchasing decisions, and those decisions are already boosting profits, improving worker productivity, and cleaning up the air. Let me give you just a few examples.