DOE will invest more than $200 million over the
next five years to expand and accelerate the use of solar and
water power through four funding opportunities aimed at
breaking technological barriers, demonstrating new
technologies, and boosting clean energy jobs.
Public policies such as appliance and vehicle efficiency standards and building codes are responsible for at least 20% of the improvement in the US's energy intensity--energy use per unit of GDP. (Source: Institute for 21st Century Energy)
In 2007, the average monthly residential electricity consumption was 936 kWh. (Source: EIA)
Today’s challenges of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while meeting the country’s steadily rising demand for electricity make it essential for legislatures and public utility commissions to shift their focus toward mechanisms that make demand reduction as profitable for utilities as increasing supply. (Source: Institute for 21st Century Energy)
Estimated energy demand is charted to grow by almost 50% in the next 20 years.
The United States makes up 5% of the world's population and accounts for 25% of total energy use.
