DSM in the broader economy: The economic impacts of utility efficiency programs
The good news is that increased energy efficiency provides benefits to the environment. The better news is that the more efficient use of electricity may also benefit the economy. It`s a classic win-win proposition. Must America choose between a strong economy and a clean environment? Advocates of demand side management (DSM) have argued that programs which provide motion, heat, and light to electric utility customers with fewer kilowatt hours of electricity will both aid the environment and strengthen the economy. To test these claims, three foundations and one public utility jointly sponsored a study to determine the economic and employment impacts of an aggressive program of energy efficiency investments by America`s electric utilities. This article describes the results of that study. New DSM technologies in the areas of lighting, heating, cooling, electric motors, electronic controls, and transportation have the potential to provide electricity users the same comfort, illumination, or industrial power they previously enjoyed with lower electricity inputs. This study looks at the macroeconomic impacts at a national level which an investment efficiency program based on new DSM technologies can offer the economy.
- OSTI ID:
- 28594
- Journal Information:
- Electricity Journal, Journal Name: Electricity Journal Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 7; ISSN ELEJE4; ISSN 1040-6190
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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