Article Number : 5063 |
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| Date | 11/17/2009 9:04:47 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=5063 |
| Abstract | Investing in the energy efficiency of buildings represents a powerful and strategic solution that combined with other non-transportation initiatives could reduce the nation’s energy consumption by 23% over... |
| Article | Investing in the energy efficiency of buildings represents a powerful and strategic solution that combined with other non-transportation initiatives could reduce the nation’s energy consumption by 23% over the next 10 years, saving the U.S. economy $1.2 trillion and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 1.1 gigatons annually, according to a study released this summer by global research firm McKinsey & Co. “This confirms a critical path forward we have long championed,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). “Harnessing the engine of green, energy efficient buildings can cost-effectively drive tremendous improvements in our economy and environment. Green building can stimulate the economy at a level 1.5 times larger than the federal stimulus bill.” The report, “Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy,” provides a detailed assessment of how much the nation can increase energy efficiency in buildings and other non-transportation sectors using existing methods and technologies. The study found that targeted investment of $50 billion a year over 10 years, would enable the entirety of those potential savings to be realized. Furthermore, those investments would generate 900,000 jobs. “Increasing our nation’s energy efficiency is an economic, environmental and national security imperative requiring bold public policy,” Fedrizzi said. “As Congress debates climate change legislation, these findings make an overwhelming case that we must dramatically strengthen provisions to support and scale green building.” The energy efficiency potential cited in the study is divided across three sectors of the U.S. economy based on end-use energy efficiency potential: industrial (40%), residential (35%) and commercial (25%). Solutions drawn from an inventory of proven and emerging national and international examples, show that maximizing the energy efficiency potential from any single opportunity requires addressing multiple barriers simultaneously. “By leveraging existing green building approaches,” Fedrizzi explained, “such as our Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, which is rooted in holistic and integrated design, we have the ability and capacity to address multiple barriers, thus generating additional resource efficiencies and cost savings.” The report calls for an integrated national plan guided by five principles: • Recognize energy efficiency as an important resource that can help meet future energy needs while the nation simultaneously develops new no- and low-carbon energy sources. • Formulate and launch—at both the national and regional levels—an integrated portfolio of proven, piloted and emerging environmentally friendly approaches. • Identify methods to provide significant up-front funding. • Forge greater alignment among utilities, regulators, government agencies, manufacturers and energy consumers. • Foster innovation in the development and deployment of next-generation energy efficiency technologies to ensure continuing productivity gains. The report was a year-long effort by McKinsey, as it worked in “close collaboration” with 13 leading U.S.-based companies, government agencies and environmental non-government organizations. This included conducting “several hundred” interviews with representatives from the public and private sectors. For more information on the 160-plus page report, contact McKinsey & Co. at 202.662.3100. |