Report: Calif. energy-efficiency programs not enough
By Ivan Penn, Los Angeles Times
California’s efforts to reduce electricity consumption over the last four decades saved $90 billion on utility bills, created hundreds of thousands of jobs and avoided construction of 41 power plants, according to a report released Thursday.
And it’s not enough, the Natural Resources Defense Council said.
Report author Lara Ettenson attributed the state’s progress to building code changes and more efficient appliances. Going forward, she said, California must focus on the “challenging area” of reworking existing buildings to cut energy use.
If passive and active solar energy evaluations are required for building permits, ….
Requiring a utility company to pay a fair value for a meter running backwards might be a serious incentive to be more efficient.
Passive solar and pollution free energy generation on private property having a tax credit should be huge.