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The governors of Colorado and Oregon have unveiled plans for putting energy efficiency high on the agenda.

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has launched a 12-month energy efficiency and conservation campaign aimed at encouraging residents to save energy.

The New Energy Economy: Bringing It Home TV and radio campaign offers individuals tips on saving energy such as turning down the heating thermostat in winter, unplugging electronics when not in use, turning off lights and finding alternatives to the car – such as public transport or riding a bike.

Governor Ted Kulongoski also recently outlined plans for a similar campaign targeting residents in Oregon.

“The single most effective thing we can do to reduce emissions is to create more energy efficiency and be aggressive in our conservation,” he said. “We must make energy efficiency and conservation the centerpiece of our climate change agenda in 2009.”

Both governors are also attempting to tackle the energy efficiency of buildings with their proposals. Ritter has outlined a $10 million initiative to make public and private buildings more energy efficient by offering technical and financial advice.

Kulongoski is also proposing to make all new commercial and residential buildings net zero emission by 2030. He has also suggested introducing energy performance certificates for residential and small business properties to giver purchasers a picture of a building’s energy performance.

Oregon is also hoping to encourage businesses to invest in energy efficiency measures with incentives through the Business Energy Tax Credit scheme.

For further information:
www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_program/project_brief_detail.cfm/pb_id=1326
www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_program/project_brief_detail.cfm/pb_id=1312
www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1214213309535&pagename=GovRitter%2FGOVRLayout
governor.oregon.gov/Gov/P2008/press_061708.shtml
governor.oregon.gov/Gov/docs/061608_EnergyEfficiency.pdf