Energy efficiency
What is Energy Efficiency? Energy efficiency simply means getting the same amount of work out of a device without having to use as much energy. An excellent example of an energy efficient technology is a compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb, which is typically four times more energy efficient than a regular incandescent light bulb, but produces the same amount and quality of light.
Problems Electricity needs in the Southeast are met through a vast power supply system. Power plants produce the electricity, which is then delivered through a network of large high-voltage transmission lines and smaller distribution lines. The Southeast relies heavily on coal-fired and nuclear power plants to produce electricity. Most of the coal-fired plants are old and emit an enormous amount of air pollution. Nuclear plants pose significant environmental and public safety risks. These plants are tempting terrorist targets and generate highly radioactive waste, which our country has yet to figure out how to store over the long term. Power plants also generally consume a tremendous amount of water for cooling purposes. Transmission lines are unsightly and can disrupt sensitive natural areas. 
The Southeast's power supply system, of course, is necessary. The region can, however, minimize the size of the system by increasing its use of energy efficiency to reduce the waste of electricity. Billions and billions of dollars have been spent in recent years to expand the Southeast's power supply system. Very little, however, has been invested in energy efficiency. Many states in the Southeast rank near the bottom in the country in per capita spending on energy efficiency programs.
Solutions Energy efficiency saves both money and our environment. There are several actions that can be taken to increase energy efficiency.
- Increase electric utility investment in energy efficiency programs. Several utilities in the Southeast launched energy efficiency programs in the early 1990s. These utilities, however, cut their energy efficiency programs to reduce costs in preparation for deregulation of the electric utility industry in the region. This deregulation never happened for various reasons, and should not occur in the foreseeable future. No utility in the Southeast currently has significant energy efficiency programs. One of the primary reasons is that the revenues of utilities in the region are tied directly to how much electricity they sell. Energy efficiency programs reduce electricity sales, and thus the revenues of the utilities. These programs are therefore not attractive to utilities. States in other parts of the country, however, have implemented policies that eliminate the financial disincentive to utility investment in energy efficiency programs. Southeast states should adopt similar policies and require utilities to implement energy efficiency programs.
- Using energy efficiency in homes. Energy efficient technologies can cut home electric bills by 10 to 50 percent. These technologies include compact fluorescent light bulbs, high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, and energy efficient appliances that have the Energy Star logo. Home energy efficiency can also be improved by sealing leaky duct systems and caulking windows and doors. The Green Home Guide created by the U.S. Green Building Council is a great reference for best practices to make your home more efficient.
- Establish minimum energy efficiency standards for appliance and equipment products. A number of states have established minimum energy efficiency standards for appliance and equipment products. A standard sets a maximum amount of energy that can be used to power a product. Any product failing to meet a standard cannot be sold in the state. Southeast states should adopt appliance and equipment efficiency standards.
- Adopt model energy codes for buildings. Many states around the country have adopted the most current national model energy codes for residential and commercial buildings. The codes, which are developed by nationally recognized organizations, set energy efficiency requirements for building construction. These requirements include use of windows and insulation that are above a certain energy efficiency rating. Several Southeast states have adopted these model codes or their own codes, which are equivalent or more stringent than the model codes. All states in the region should adopt such codes.
