posted on April 15, 2010 23:30
Texas would avoid having to build 17 power plants by 2020 if it adopts strict energy-efficient guidelines for businesses and homes now, a new study is expected to reveal today.
Texans could save a combined $13.7 billion on their utility bills and create 96,300 jobs in the next decade if all residents were to use energy-saving appliances and tactics, according to the study by Georgia Tech and Duke University's Nicholas Institute.
"Energy efficiency is the cheapest, most reliable form of new energy. It lowers electricity and transportation costs, and creates jobs and economic development opportunities across Texas," state Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, said in a statement that went with the report set for release today. Energy-saving measures are least-often used in southern U.S. states, the report noted, presenting the biggest opportunity for energy savings in states such as Texas. With nearly 24 million people, or about 8 percent of the total U.S. population, Texas consumes 11.6 percent of the nation's power. The conservation measures proposed include weatherization measures, better building codes and other incentives for residential power users. Commercial power users would be asked to retrofit buildings and use newer appliances, and industrial power users would need to manage power use more efficiently and update their utility equipment, the report said. Just over 50 percent of Texas' total energy consumption comes from industrial users. That compares with 37.6 percent consumption from industrial sources in other southern states in the overall study. Eric Torbenson | Dallas Morning News | April 12th, 2010