Helping homes and businesses become more energy efficient is the most effective way to reduce energy costs. The CT Department of Public Utility Control can save consumers an estimated $1 billion over the next ten years by approving an increase in funding for the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund programs recommended in the "demand focus scenario" in our state's new energy plan. Not only will this save consumers money but it is a key strategy to reduce ozone smog pollution and global warming pollution.

Investing in efficiency programs makes sense because:

• Efficiency investments can flatten the increase in peak electricity demand which drives the need to build expensive new power plants and also result in a decrease in overall electricity use
• For CT Energy Efficiency Fund programs, every dollar spent on efficiency resulted in four dollars in savings
• Every kilowatt hour of energy saved costs an average of $.03/KWh versus $.12/KWh for generation
• Thousands of Green Jobs can be created selling and installing energy efficiency technology instead of sending more money out of state for coal, oil and natural gas
• Businesses, schools and churches trying to access efficiency programs to reduce consumption are currently being told to wait until next year due to a lack of funding.
• Programs like Home Energy Solutions, and discounts on compact fluorescent light bulbs and appliances, rely on efficiency funding and need to be expanded

Take Action: Please e-mail the Chairman of the DPUC, Donald Downes, and copy your state legislators, and urge him to fast track approval of the Plan and ramp up energy efficiency spending now