September/October 2001 Living Now
Report shows positive results from energy conservation/efficiency efforts
USA: Undercutting an argument made by the Bush
administration, a study by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences
has found that federal research and development efforts to improve
energy conservation and efficiency have produced big environmental
and economic gains. The academy released a report yesterday detailing
how a $13 billion federal investment since 1978 has returned $40
billion. About three-quarters of the economic benefits came from
three programs that led to more efficient refrigerator and freezer
compressors, fluorescent light ballasts, and heat-resistant window
glass; the programs together cost only $11 million.