Our intent with this report is to provide policymakers and program managers a ready reference of programs worthy of emulation, These programs provide models of how best to structure and provide programs that can help keep energy costs affordable for low-income households. |
We think that a 1 percent reduction is doable. Some states in New England have already been able to reduce natural gas consumption without a major effort. |
What is important is to reduce consumption now and into the future. This effort among governors is also under way in other regions, with two Midwest governors already signing up their states as part of a regional effort. |
With energy prices reaching unprecedented highs, investments in energy efficiency should be a top priority in every state. However, our analysis clearly shows that many states are largely ignoring and failing to capture this lowest cost energy resource that also yields significant environmental and economic benefits. |