November 2007

Saving energy means saving money for you

 

Dear Friend,

Congress has taken a number of significant actions this year to promote the use of renewable energy and to lower energy consumption in general. The House and Senate have passed slightly different versions of energy legislation and the differences are being reconciled. Congress will also consider legislation to combat global warming. There are many possible approaches, but any legislation will undoubtedly make some major changes. I have co-sponsored the Safe Climate Act of 2007, which requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to put in place regulations that will reduce greenhouse gases by 2% each year from 2010 until 2050.

Members of Congress can pass laws and resolutions about lowering the country's rate of energy consumption and encourage the public to use more renewable energy, but it's really up to us as individuals to change our energy consumption habits. We can do more to promote and practice energy efficiency and combat global warming than all the Congresses in the world. Even small steps to increase energy efficiency and decrease energy consumption can add up to significant benefits for everyone.

A great resource for tips on being more energy efficient is the ENERGY STAR website at www.energystar.gov. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy aimed at helping us save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

Last month, ENERGY STAR launched the 8th annual "Change a Light, Change the World" campaign. The campaign encourages people to replace one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulb. They use 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer. If every household in Hawaii replaced just one light with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, it would save enough energy to light all the homes in Honolulu for 30 days, reduce household electrical bills by $5.1 million every year and prevent 34 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

Try changing just one light bulb in your home and see if you like the difference in lighting and in your energy bill. Select the light that stays on the longest, ususally in the living or dining room. Start with just one ENERGY STAR bulb. They're larger, so be sure it fits your light fixture.

This is just one example of choices we can all make in our lives to be more energy efficient. ENERGY STAR also offers its trademark to all kinds of products that meet its standard of energy efficiency, from computers and household appliances to building and home improvement materials. To help people locate special offers or rebates on ENERGY STAR-approved products, the website has a search engine that will help you find these offers by zip code.

As we diversify energy sources and learn how to consume less energy, all Americans will benefit through reduced costs and a cleaner environment. Congress will continue working on a national energy policy, but changing individual consumer choices is the most significant effect a new energy policy could have. So it really starts and ends with each of us and the choices we make.

 

Aloha,

Neil Abercrombie

Member of Congress