Why is Energy Efficiency So Important?

The United States could save over $12 billion every year if it used more efficient and up-to-date building energy technologies. Rebuild America could help building owners and community leaders save some of that $12 billion in energy dollars, and redirect them to pay for building improvements or better schools or a host of higher-priority needs.

By the year 2003, Rebuild America partnerships will (conservatively) be involved in over 2 billion square feet of building renovations, which will save $650 million every year in energy costs, generate $3 billion in private community investment, create 26,000 new jobs, and reduce air pollution by 1.6 million tons of carbon dioxide a year.

Compared to the nationwide potential of saving $12 billion in building energy costs, $650 million may seem like a drop in the bucket. This disparity points out the dramatic potential of energy savings if Rebuild America could work with building owners to reach the full potential of energy savings from efficiency and conservation measures. Rebuild America acts as the primary DOE delivery platform for communities -- working hand-in-hand with ENERGY STAR Buildings, Building America, Million Solar Roofs, and industry partners -- to leverage its impact on the building sector, but financial and labor restrictions limit full market penetration.

Rebuild America Hawaii partnerships by themselves are excepted to implement more than &12 million in energy efficiency projects, save more than $2.5 million annually on utility bills, create 191 new jobs, and reduce air pollution by 22 thousand tons of carbon dioxide a year.

Why is Energy Efficiency So Important for Hawaii?

Hawaii has several unique energy challenges. Because Hawaii is a group of islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a staggering amount of Hawaii's electricity is generated from expensive imported fossil fuels, and nearly 90% of all energy dollars leave the state.

Increasing the energy-efficiency of Hawaii's buildings will slow the flow of energy dollars leaving the islands to pay for imported fuels. Retrofitting or replacing inefficient energy technologies -- such as lighting, HVAC, chillers, and pump motors -- keeps dollars in the local economy and reduces damaging environmental impacts associated with power generation form fossil fuels.