Environment & Energy

Energy & Electricity

Issue
There is a direct link between energy consumption and the U.S. economic output. In addition, America’s increasing dependence on oil from unstable foreign nations threatens our energy security.

While technology is expected to move the U.S. economy to increasing efficiencies, the nation will still consume significantly increased amounts of energy as our population and economy continues to expand. Even assuming that the country maintains a flat energy use per capita, by the year 2030, we will need a staggering 30 percent more energy to maintain our domestic economy. It will take a robust, diverse and innovative approach to energy development to meet the nation’s future needs.

Energy-efficient buildings use less energy, cost less to operate, and improve efficiency as well as comfort. Significant returns can be achieved by adopting energy-efficient materials, technologies and practices in building new structures, retrofit, and maintenance construction. In every sector of the economy, there are significant opportunities for energy savings in all types and uses of buildings and structures.

The continued domestic production of conventional fuel sources – such as coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydropower, renewables, and petroleum-based liquids – will help to achieve national security and America’s economic well-being. In addition, a robust system of transmission lines is critical to our national security as well to as our ability to bring electricity from renewable and conventional sources to our population centers.

Renewable energy sources are increasingly playing a larger role in the country’s energy portfolio. Federal incentives for production and continuing research and development of renewable energy sources are critical.

ACEC Position
ACEC supports expanded federal incentives for energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable energy and conventional fuel sources. ACEC also supports additional capacity on electric transmission lines and effective and efficient regional planning and operation of all transmission facilities. Energy efficiency in the electricity sector should focus on utility infrastructure as well as customer usage, including “smart buildings,” and “smart” appliances. Energy policy should address additional incentives for new building construction as well as retrofits. Energy policy should also recognize that U.S. energy and security needs require use and development of domestic energy resources, in an environmentally sensitive fashion, including coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy.