March 2007
Energy Efficiency
Dear Friend,
As part of its “First 100 Hours
Agenda,” the new Democratic majority in the House of
Representatives passed legislation to end subsidies and
close several tax breaks that favored the oil
industry. At a time when the nation’s major oil
companies are enjoying record profits every quarter and
consumers are paying record high prices at the gas pump,
the federal government had no business subsidizing their
profits.
Just as
important, all funds that are recaptured by this
legislation, rather than promoting the use of
petroleum-based fuels, are put into a fund to invest in
renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and new
technologies. This is a necessary step toward
weaning our country off oil and other expensive and
polluting energy sources.
While
action by Congress can help reshape the country’s energy
future, local and individual efforts are also
essential. Small steps to increase energy
efficiency and decrease energy consumption can add up to
significant benefits for everyone.
A great resource for tips on how
to be more energy efficient is the ENERGY STAR website
at www.energystar.gov.
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy,
aimed at helping us all save money and protect the
environment through energy efficient products and
practices.
Last year,
ENERGY STAR launched the "Change a Light, Change the
World” campaign, encouraging people to replace one
incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified
compact fluorescent light bulb. Changing just one
light bulb in your house or office can save you
approximately $30 in utility costs and prevent the
release of more than 450 pounds of greenhouse gas
emissions. A $5 investment in an energy efficient
bulb reaps both financial and environmental
benefits. This is just an example of how we can
all choose to make in our lives to be more energy
savvy.
Commercial
buildings and businesses are also beginning to take up
the challenge. In
Hawaii
, there are only 14
buildings that have earned an ENERGY STAR rating, but
the total energy savings is so great that
Hawaii
ranks fifth in
the nation in energy saved.
As we diversify our
energy sources and learn how to consume less energy, all
Americans will benefit through reduced utility costs and
a cleaner environment. As a member of Congress, I
will continue to work for a new direction in our
nation’s energy policy, one that acknowledges and
responds to energy’s environmental impact.
Eliminate greenhouse gases. Save the earth.
.
Aloha,
Neil Abercrombie
Member of Congress
