Reframing Energy for the 21st Century: Greater Energy Productivity Is an Economic Imperative

Reframing Energy for the 21st Century: Greater Energy Productivity Is an Economic Imperative

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a facilitated discussion on how we can make our economy much more energy-efficient, to generate wealth and combat climate change. In 2018, the 329 million residents of the United States spent more than $1.1 trillion to meet their many energy needs. Current projections suggest those expenditures—whether to light and cool homes, power business enterprises, or enable daily commutes—may triple to $3.4 trillion (in nominal dollars) by the year 2050. Shockingly, a huge share of that spending is wasted. As detailed in a variety of recent studies, the U.S. economy may only be 16 percent energy-efficient. In other words, an estimated 84 percent of the energy resources consumed within American communities are wasted.

Speakers for this forum are:

• John A. "Skip" Laitner, Energy and Resource Economist, Economic and Human Dimensions Research Associates; Past-President, Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) | @EconSkip

Two discussants will offer brief comments on Laitner's presentation. This will be followed by an open discussion with the audience.

• Jim Barrett, Visiting Fellow,  American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) | @ACEEEdc
• Terry Dinan, Senior Advisor, Congressional Budget Office | @USCBO

Organized by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) 

EESI is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan Congressional caucus to provide timely information and develop innovative policy solutions that set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path.