Energy efficiency is an important social value – and it has great fiscal value as well.

• What energy efficiency is.
  Energy efficiency is the principle that when energy must be used, it should be done as efficiently as possible. 
  
• Why it’s great. Using less energy helps to fight global warming and increase the nation’s energy security.
  

  New resource. Energy efficiency is the number one energy resource – the energy that we DON’T use. Saving energy is an essential part of a balanced approach.
  
  Saves money. Energy efficiency saves consumers money – already, appliance standards such as EnergyStar have saved consumers over $200 billion (approximately $2,000 per household). Increasing energy efficiency also helps businesses control costs, which raises profits and contributes to economic growth.
  
  As a region, the Midwest can reduce the billions of dollars it spends on fuels imported from other regions and nations.
  
  Conserves the environment. Energy efficiency also decreases environmental pollution, reduces pressure on the electrical grid, and cuts the need for new power plants.
  
  Conserves fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources – this means that eventually, we will use them up. Whether that day comes in ten years, thirty years, or two hundred, we should put it off as long as possible.
  
  Grows economies without increasing consumption. Redeveloping the energy infrastructure to make it more efficient creates new jobs - especially in home and industrial heating, cooling, and lighting system, home remodeling, etc.
  
  Energy efficiency creates 21.5 jobs for every $1 million invested. 

• What citizens can do. Your daily life is full of opportunities to decrease energy consumption.
  
  Homes, farms and businesses, congregations – energy efficiency is for everyone. Check out CEP’s Take Steps section and explore our helpful tips. 
  
  
• Policies that can help. From small town city councils to the federal government, all decisionmakers can help increase energy efficiency.
  
  Energy efficiency is not just about personal lifestyle choices. It’s also about our values as a society, and how government policies reflect those values. We can make energy efficiency – the value of conservation – a priority for our politicians. 
  
• Does your state measure up? Check out energy efficiency policies in your state, and compare them to other states around you. You might be surprised.
  
  The user-friendly DSIRE database (Database of State Initiatives for Renewables and Efficiency) can help you learn more about your own state’s policies for energy-efficiency.
  
  Use the database to explore the states around you, too – if you see policy options that appeal to you, work with your legislator.