Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency – Key to a Clean Energy Future

Energy Efficiency is a key part of ELPC’s Clean Energy Program.  Using America’s energy more efficiently will improve environmental quality and public health by reducing both the pollution from coal plants and the environmental, public health and safety risks from nuclear plants. Efficiency saves consumers money and is the fastest, cleanest and cheapest way to meet our energy needs.

ELPC is a lead partner in the Campaign for an Energy Efficient America, a coalition of more than 60 business, industry, faith and environmental groups who are pushing for a national Energy Efficiency Resource Standard that would work with utilities to reduce the nation’s electricity consumption by 15% and natural gas consumption by 10% by 2020.  Learn how you can support the campaign at www.energyefficiencyworks.org.

ELPC’s overall goal is to accomplish a transition from the region’s current resource portfolio, currently comprised almost exclusively of nuclear and older coal-burning plants, towards a more diverse, more sustainable and less polluting portfolio including wind energy, biomass and energy efficiency.

Learn more about ELPC’s energy efficiency programs and what you can do to help.

News

Up to 135 Gigawatts of Wasted Energy Could be Captured by US Industries

Heavy industries like steel, paper and cement mills vent large amounts of heat in the course of their operations – over 135 gigawatts worth of energy that is wasted. Using existing technology, that heat energy could be captured and turned into enough electricity to power millions of homes – replacing highly pollution power plants. Turning waste heat into electricity makes more money for industrial facilities while avoiding global warming pollution and making the most of our natural resources. Facilities like the ArcelorMittal steel plant in Indiana have installed combined heat and power equipment that generates as much electricity as a 200 megawatt coal plant without burning any fossil fuels. Combined heat and power advocates believe this process could supply up to 20% of our nation’s energy needs.

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