Presenter:
John A. "Skip" Laitner, ACEEE
Observers of U.S. energy policy might think of energy efficiency as a useful tool to manage the growth of our nation’s energy consumption. They might also see it as a cost-effective means to ease our transition into a post-carbon world. And yes, the evidence does support both of these notions. But the U.S. economy now wastes 87 percent of the energy it uses, and regulators tend to focus their efforts on waste management, rather than on avoiding waste in the first place. There is an emerging body of evidence which compels a significantly greater attention to the critical role of energy efficiency in maintaining a productive and a more prosperous economy. The Green Grid, and semiconductor and information and communication technologies (ICT) more broadly, will be among the surprising opportunities that can enable higher levels of productivity – should we choose to invest in those resources.