The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) are joining forces to improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, buildings and industry by 2020.

The new State Energy Efficiency (SEE) Action Network will serve to strengthen energy efficiency initiatives across the US, providing technical and policy support for state programmes ranging from installing smart metering systems to developing energy efficiency practices.

“Expanding energy efficiency is one of the quickest, most cost-effective ways we can address climate change and grow America’s economy,” says Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

The SEE Action Network will aim to achieve the set of goals outlined in the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, a public-private initiative launched in 2005 to bring together utilities, utility regulators and other partners on energy efficiency, but five years earlier than originally scheduled.

“With strong federal support, our state partners can realize these benefits even faster than expected and move aggressively into a clean, affordable energy future,” says EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.

For further information:
www.epa.gov/
www.energy.gov/
www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/seeaction/index.html
www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/napee/index.html

Related stories:
Obama 2011 budget request backs energy efficiency (2-Feb)
US government to cut its own emissions 28% by 2020 (1-Feb)
Energy efficiency could reduce US energy use 20% by 2020 (15-Dec 2009)
Energy efficiency could yield energy savings worth $1.2 trillion, says McKinsey (30-Jul 2009)