Alliance To Save Energy: Energy Efficiency Should Be First Fuel

The recent gasoline and oil price spikes that threaten the nation's fragile economic recovery underline the urgent need to curb U.S. energy use and make a real commitment to energy efficiency as our "first fuel," the Alliance to Save Energy said today.

"Uncertain supplies plus ever-increasing worldwide demand can equal unpredictable price spikes," said Alliance President Kateri Callahan, "but energy efficiency can help us change that equation.

"The 33-cent surge in gas prices over the past two weeks – reflecting today's $100+ a barrel oil prices – puts into sharp focus the urgent need to put energy efficiency at the top of the list of our nation's fuel sources in order to reduce our dangerous and costly oil dependence," Callahan continued.

"Cost-effective energy efficiency programs return many times their initial investments by delivering real savings for U.S. consumers and businesses," she added. "Most critically at this time in our nation's economic history, energy efficiency initiatives are creating jobs that are helping to pull the nation out of recession – as President Obama noted in his forward-thinking 2012 budget.

"We must continue to improve fuel economy standards and encourage the use of all-electric and hybrid vehicles as well as options such as telecommuting and public transportation," Callahan continued. "Public transit saves the United States more than 11 million gallons of gasoline per day, or 4 billion gallons annually," she said.

In addition, the Alliance advises consumers who must continue to use their vehicles to be more fuel efficient by taking steps to minimize gas consumption, such as carpooling, emptying their trunks and ensuring their tires are properly inflated.

"Drivers can consider several smart driving tips by logging on to the Alliance's Drive Smarter Challenge website to save money and save energy," Callahan urged.

The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, the economy and national security.