1. What is the real value of energy efficiency?
2. Who is interested in energy efficiency?
3. How can policy makers support increased energy efficiency?

1. What is the real value of energy efficiency?
Energy efficiency is a high priority resource for Utah. Energy efficiency is the least expensive energy resource, it is the quickest to implement, and it pays for itself through energy savings. Energy efficiency can be developed just like other resources; measures and technologies are market-ready today, and are continually being improved.

Investing in energy efficiency creates economic development opportunities that provide much needed local jobs. Nationally, an increased investment in energy efficiency is projected to provide between 15 million and 32 million new jobs by 2030 according to a recent ASES job report. Today, Utah’s workforce is being trained to meet this growing energy demand.  For more information on the clean energy workforce program, visit our Green Workforce Page. 

Energy efficiency reduces utility bills for Utah’s residents and businesses, increases comfort for Utah homeowners and employees, and improves energy security by reducing the amount energy that we need to import from outside of Utah and West. Increased energy efficiency also reduces pollution and climate change emissions associated with traditional energy generation and consumption.

For more information about energy efficiency click here.

2. Who is interested in energy efficiency?

• Utah Voters – a March 2008 poll by The Utah Foundation found that "energy issues" was the number one priority to Utah voters, and that "over consumption of energy" was also an area of concern.
   
• Utah Lawmakers – the State Energy Policy states that, among many other things, "Utah will pursue energy conservation [and] energy efficiency...".  A Joint Resolution adopted unanimously by the Utah Legislature in 2009 recognizes energy efficiency as a priority resource; urges state and local governments and utilities companies to promote and encourage all available cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation among other things.
   
• Homeowners – Energy costs are increasing for Utah homeowners. Increasing energy efficiency helps homeowners reduce energy bills.  In some cases, incentives are needed to overcome barriers to investing in energy efficient homes and home retrofits that, in the long term, will benefit them and all ratepayers.
   
• Builders – Utah builders can gain a competitive advantage by constructing high performance homes and commercial building. In order to assist the industry in widely adopting best practices in high performance building, incentives for industry-leaders are needed.

3. How can policy makers support increased energy efficiency?
There are numerous opportunities to support cost-effective energy efficiency initiatives:

• Learn about how utility demand-side management (DSM) programs play a central role in helping residents, businesses, builders, and industry to increase energy efficiency in Utah. Learn more about current regulatory activities.
• Local and state incentives (such as tax credits, expedited permitting, and local ordinances) can go a long way to leverage utility DSM programs.  Identify what you can do in your jurisdiction.
• Understand the barriers to increased energy efficiency.