Building Our Green Economy, Saving the Planet

By Scott Johnstone

By now, we have all heard the bad news so many times that we can recite it from memory: the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression; over 500,000 jobs lost in one recent month alone; declining housing values, declining retail sales, volatile fuel prices. Even more alarming, our climate continues to deteriorate globally while the necessary actions that need to be taken continue to be debated and deferred.

Despite all of this, I am optimistic about our economic future and our ability to take on the energy supply and climate challenges we face. Here are the reasons for my optimism:

  • The energy industry is one of the few economic sectors that has real potential for growth in the immediate future, putting millions of people back to work as we create the green economy;
  • We have demonstrated through efforts like Efficiency Vermont that a focus on efficiency and conservation first is both incredibly cost-effective and can make a real impact on both energy supply requirements and carbon emissions. Evidence from Vermont and evaluations of efficiency programs elsewhere have shown that the cost of efficiency is about one-fifth that of other forms of energy supply, and has the potential to meet a significant portion of our future energy service needs. Moreover, it has no emissions and creates more jobs than other energy supply options.
  • Our national and state governments, as well as communities large and small, are increasingly developing and implementing policies to promote both efficiency and clean energy supply. New codes and standards, tax incentives, innovative financing mechanisms and direct financial investment are all on the rise, both for efficiency and to accelerate deployment of renewable energy technologies to meet our future energy supply needs.
  • Both the current administration and a majority in Congress recognize the essential and primary role of energy efficiency in meeting national goals for energy supply, job creation, economic recovery, greenhouse gas reduction and national security. Globally, the recognition and commitment of nations, institutions, businesses and individuals to address the intertwined challenges of energy supply and climate change has never been greater. Moreover, the focus has moved from debate over significance and causes to practical strategies and plans to stabilize climate change and move to a green economy.
  • The capabilities to accomplish this potential are growing faster than ever. New technologies that we could not imagine even a decade ago are being developed, and there is an enormous wave of interest in a new generation who want to be part of the workforce for a new, green economy.

This then, is the path we recommend and advocate for:

  • Efficiency first, as it’s always the least-cost and cleanest choice – the cheapest energy is that which we save, and the cleanest energy is that we don’t use.
  • Efficiency for all end uses – from transportation to buildings, equipment, appliances, lighting, heating, cooling, and industrial processes.
  • Clean, renewable energy supply to meet our net (after efficiency) energy requirements, to power our country and our economy!

Can all this really work? Let’s take a quick look.


Efficiency has to potential to meet 30 – 50% of our future energy service requirements (In 2008, Efficiency Vermont saved 2.5% in just one year. If we saved the same amount each year for the next ten years we can save 25%.And we’re doing this now, by the way, at a cost of about 3 cents per kilowatt hour, approximately ¼ the cost of comparable electricity supply.

How about renewable energy? Consider that the Energy Information Administration reports that fully one third of all new generation over the next three years will come from the renewable sector. Wind and solar capacity will each grow by about 45% just this year. With continued focus and market improvement, attaining half of our supply requirements from renewable sources over the coming twenty years should truly be attainable.

With such actions, we would, as a nation, begin to approach the type of carbon reduction experts suggest is necessary to stabilize climate change. It is imperative, but it is also possible and affordable. Best yet, the jobs to accomplish all of this will be right here at home, the money we all spend on energy will stay in our local and national economy, supporting all people and classes in our society, and as we rally around the challenges our focus on community will be enriched as we help each other through the transitions, to solutions that work where we live, and work to our new future.

At Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, we are focused on our mission, reducing the cost, both financial and environmental, of energy. We’re ready to help create this new future. Let us know how we can help!

Scott Johnstone is the Executive Director of the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, which runs Efficiency Vermont and has designed programs in more than 30 states, provinces and nations.. He previously served as the Secretary of Natural Resources and led the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Chittenden County.