Report says Utahns could save $1.7B through energy efficiency
Utahns could save roughly $1.7 billion by plugging the energy leaks in their homes, recycling old refrigerators, switching to low-energy lighting and other efficiency moves, according to a new study.
The report, dubbed “The $20 Billion Bonanza,” details best practices that utilities and their customers throughout the region can use to save money and lower pollution. Authored by the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), the study estimates improvements could mean 3,100 new jobs and 20 percent less energy consumed by 2020.
Lead author Howard Geller, executive director of SWEEP, said saving energy is the lowest cost, cleanest and least risky option for utilities and their customers — even with all the programs already implemented by Rocky Mountain Power, which serves 825,000 customers in Utah.
“We want to show it’s still possible to take these programs to the next level,” he said. “There’s more energy savings we can get. We can save homes and businesses money, reduce pollution emissions and support additional jobs in the state.”
