Report: New England Energy Use Could Drop 18%

http://www.courant.com/business/hc-lessenergy0626.artjun26,0,2305476.story?coll=hc-headlines-business

New England could slash its energy consumption by 18 percent just by using currently available technologies, according to a new report by a coalition of environmental groups.

The report's recommendations for cutting energy consumption - which would also reduce the region's greenhouse gas emissions - depend on a combination of improving efficiency and using more renewable energy. Key proposals include adopting more efficient technologies for heating, cooling and lighting residential and commercial buildings; increasing fuel economy standards for vehicles; and building wind and solar powered generators in the New England region.

Roger Smith, the campaign director for the Connecticut chapter of Clean Water Action, one of the groups that produced the report, said New England does not need to wait for new technologies before cutting energy use significantly.

"If we're ever going to reach our goals, we need to take action now," he said.

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