**The second report (still in draft and subject to revision) examines more than 250 estimates of energy efficiency potential derived from 19 studies that cover all or parts of the U.S. South. The report ends with the following conclusion: “Analysis of published studies of the potential for energy efficiency improvements in the South suggests that a reservoir of cost-effective opportunities exists. In the South as a whole, a 2 percent annual reduction in energy consumption is technically feasible. Approximately three-quarters of that amount is cost-effective. A 1 percent reduction per year approximates the maximum achievable estimate assuming implementation of aggressive policies, and a 0.5 percent per year reduction could be achieved with modest policy interventions. Since electricity consumption in the South is expected to grow at approximately 0.84 percent annually between 2007 and 2020, the maximum achievable potential could offset the forecast growth in demand in the region as a whole. For natural gas, which is expected to experience no significant growth in consumption in the South, the achievable potential for energy savings could produce significant reductions in consumption over time. Of course, states with more rapidly growing electricity and natural gas demand will need to either push harder on energy efficiency or expand their energy resources.”

Jun 23, 2009