Mar 13 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Mike Gellatly Aiken Standard, S.C.



Energy efficiency could save South Carolinians money and create employment for thousands.

This was the message presented Friday by Suzanne Watson, director of policy for the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), as she presented her organization's report on South Carolina's energy future in Aiken.

Watson's address aimed to make the "business case" for energy efficiency. The ACEEE is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting economic prosperity, energy security and environmental protection.

 Rather than focusing on conservation, Watson presented the argument for reducing use on a statewide scale by passing tighter legislation on efficiency standards, investing in and replacing old technology and infrastructure and encouraging consumers to examine their behavior.

The payoff for the investment could net residents $5.1 billion on their electric and water bills through 2025. The investment to create these long-term savings would cost around $790 million, Watson said.

In making the case, Watson presented 11 electricity energy policy and five water efficiency recommendations, that the ACEEE estimates could rack up a net savings of $9 million in annual electricity and water bills in 2015, which could grow to $1.3 billion in 2025. This, in turn, could also create as many as 22,000 jobs.

The target of the ACEEE is to reduce electricity usage by 18 percent and water usage by 32 percent.

South Carolina was chosen for the study as it ranks 37th in the nation in energy efficiency. While this puts the state low on the national rank, it is significantly higher than many other Southeastern states.

"It's a sweet spot, a state looking at energy efficiency," Watson said.

Energy efficiency is framed by ACEEE as a source, meaning investments in the area reap savings that can be used in other areas.

The group's report was funded by the Energy Foundation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy and Google.

Contact Mike Gellatly at mgellatly@aikenstandard.com.

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