EU Wants 20 pct Cut in Energy Use by 2020

Europe should reduce its energy consumption by 20 percent by 2020 through more efficient technology, the EU executive Commission said Wednesday, helping cut dependency on oil and meet climate change targets.

EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said 60 billion euros ($73.12 billion) a year could be saved in fuel costs in the 25-nation bloc.

A household could save up to 1,000 euros a year in electricity and heating bills by using energy saving lightbulbs, getting rid of old fridges and replacing boilers, he added.

“If we (are) making good progress on energy efficiency, we are decreasing dependency from oil prices and at same time creating jobs in the sectors related to energy efficiency,” Piebalgs told a news conference.
Reuters via Yahoo! News