But if the President simply accelerated new efficiency standards
for furnaces and boilers, commercial air conditioners and
transformers, this oil and gas drilling would be unnecessary,
according to a new report by three energy watchdog groups.

Under President Bush, the Department of Energy (DOE) has dragged
its feet for years on new energy standards, even though each
year's delay costs consumers and businesses over $7 billion in
higher energy costs over the lifetimes of the inefficient
equipment sold. Electricity savings each year would be enough to
power 330,000 U.S. homes. Natural gas savings could heat about
170,000 homes.

"Enormous energy savings are at stake," said Steve Nadel,
executive director of the American Council for an Energy
Efficient Economy (ACEEE). "Strong standards for these three
products could slash U.S. electricity demand by about 22,000
megawatts, eliminating the need for as many as 70 new power
plants."

The Department of Energy named new standards for residential
furnaces and boilers, commercial air conditioners, and
distribution transformers as "high priorities" in 2001, but only
last month were initial proposals finally issued. Under DOE's
timetable, a final rule will not go into effect until 2009.

"With yet another winter of sky-high heating bills around the
corner, it's a horrible time for DOE to walk away from its
responsibility for establishing common-sense furnace efficiency
standards," said Nadel.

In addition to being years behind on the current rulemakings,
DOE has missed legal deadlines for another dozen products. The
ACEEE report includes an appendix with state-by-state estimates
of the impact new standards would have on energy use, energy
bills, and the environment.

"Powerful Priorities: Updating Energy Efficiency Standards for
Residential Furnaces, Commercial Air Conditioners, and
Distribution Transformers" can be downloaded at
www.standardsASAP.org.

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