Studies demonstrate that every dollar invested in DOE-administered energy-efficiency R&D returns $20 to the nation's economy. And every dollar invested in EPA's Energy Star program cuts energy costs by $75 and sparks $15 of investment in new efficiency technologies, Alliance to Save Energy reports.
Overall, the proposed Bush budget would cut DOE energy-efficiency programs by $21 million, which represents a 2 percent cut from FY '05 appropriations. With this overall reduction, many important programs were hit hard. Aggravating DOE's already severe delays in issuing new appliance standards, which lock in savings by mandating minimum efficiency levels for energy-using products, are proposed cuts of $1.9 million, or 19 percent. Building codes — another way to ensure energy savings throughout the economy — would be cut by $1.5 million, or 21 percent, reversing funding gains made last year. Funding for building technologies R&D would receive a $7.5 million, or 11 percent, cut. The Federal Energy Management Program would be cut by $0.8 million, or 4 percent.
