CUB Celebrates Energy Efficiency Day 2020
Posted on October 7, 2020 by Will Gehrke
Tags, Energy
Today, October 7, 2020 is the fifth annual Energy Efficiency Day. CUB supports Energy Efficiency Day, which is a growing national movement of advocacy organizations, governmental and non-governmental agencies, energy utilities, and individuals. The goal of Energy Efficiency Day is to share tips, tools, and stories that promote the multiple benefits of energy efficiency, from lower costs to healthier homes. Energy efficiency is the cheapest way to meet our energy needs, cut consumer bills, and reduce pollution.
As an advocate for residential utility customers, CUB supports energy efficiency education programs for all Oregonians. CUB’s legislative advocacy work helped to establish the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) in 2002. For the last two decades, the ETO has facilitated energy efficiency upgrades for utility customers in Oregon. Customers of Pacific Power and Portland General Electric are eligible for electric energy efficiency programs from the Energy Trust. NW Natural, Avista, and Cascade customers are eligible to participate in the Energy Trust’s natural gas energy efficiency programs. Households participating in the Energy Trust’s programs are able to receive free energy saver kits. The ETO also provides cash incentives and technical services to residential customers who invest in energy efficient appliances. ETO programs have nudged consumers to purchase energy efficient appliances and building upgrades. While customers of publicly owned utilities are not eligible for ETO programs, most publicly owned utilities offer programs of their own.
Energy efficiency has been a success in Oregon. Since 2000, statewide energy use has dropped by 12.5 percent. Lower statewide energy usage from energy efficiency has saved utility customers from the cost of new power plants, transmission and distribution system upgrades, and delayed natural gas pipeline reinforcements. This trend is unique to states that have embraced energy efficiency such as Oregon or Vermont. Most other states have experienced increased statewide energy usage since the dawn of the millennium.
And Oregon has been a leader in energy efficiency for more than just the last two decades. The average household electric usage in our state has been falling since 1990, while nationally it has been increasing.
Energy Efficiency programs save utility customers money and are beneficial for our climate. Across the Pacific Northwest, energy efficiency has prevented millions of tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere and contributing to climate change each year. CUB will continue to serve as an energy efficiency advocate for Oregon’s utility consumers, recognizing the many compounding benefits that these measures offer.
We invite you to participate in conversations that are taking place throughout the day, and share your energy efficiency story, using #EEDay2020 or #EnergyEfficency, on Twitter (and be sure to follow us at @OregonCUB while you’re at it!)
To keep up with CUB, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
10/07/20 | 0 Comments | CUB Celebrates Energy Efficiency Day 2020