A new study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient-Economy (ACEEE) suggests that increased awareness in global warming could positively impact a sagging job market and reduce government spending on fossil fuel. The report gave an environmental advocacy organization, Environment Maryland, and greeNEWit, LLC, an energy-auditing firm, an initiative to find solutions on careless energy usage in homes.
Jason Jannati, founder and director of strategic relations at GreeNEWit says that sustainability issues in Maryland are conducive to the well-being of the Earth’s atmosphere. In a small, three-floor home in Canton, he demonstrated how an energy audit could save homeowners money on gas and electric bills.
“There is a triple threat of how important energy solutions are,” he said. “We are going to be creating jobs, reducing energy and saving people a lot of money.”
According to a new national report, Maryland households would save nearly $287 annually and 14,600 jobs would flourish over the next ten years if Congress puts energy-efficient improvements into legislation.
Businesses like greeNEWit have worked on a smaller scale to create energy independency in Baltimore. Jannati stressed that by achieving “sustainability, while also motivating the social interest” global climate would soon regulate itself.
“I found it very beneficial to work with people who are interested in the broader issue of energy,” he said.
“Americans know that energy efficiency is the cleanest, quickest and cheapest way of reducing our energy use and pollution,” said Shea Kinser, Clean Energy associate for Environment Maryland.
She urged Maryland state officials to increase economic benefits to consumers by supporting an energy resource standard at a press conference in Canton on September 9. The standard would require utility companies to reduce energy use by ten percent. Companies such as Baltimore Gas and Electric could accomplish this by providing incentives to consumers who take proactive steps in making more energy-efficient homes.
Politicians on Capitol Hill have addressed environmental issues when they passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACESA) earlier this year. The bill is intended to create 8,600 new jobs and lower annual carbon emissions by 4.5 million metric tons in Maryland by 2010.
Kinser has noticed Congress’ efforts, but said more needs to be done. “While the House bill is a critical first step in harnessing the power of energy efficiency, this report[ACEEE] shows we can save more money, create more jobs and reduce more pollution if Senators Cardin and Mikulski lead the fight for common sense energy efficiency policies in the Senate bill,” she said.
Meanwhile, world leaders are in talks to create a greener economy across the globe. A deadline has been set for December to finalize a framework on cutting emissions for 2012-2050.