Save energy, save the economy

The country may spend $30 billion on conservation in the coming year, but will that put people back to work?

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — It looks like America may be getting a whole lot more energy efficient as part of any new stimulus plan.

But how exactly will that happen? While new light bulbs, insulation and air conditioners may play well with homeowners, will they actually put enough people to work to jumpstart the economy?


The energy-saving plan is expected as part of a stimulus package from lawmakers set for early January that could top $800 billion and include everything from tax breaks to road repairs.

Conservation is thought to be the first big energy component of President-elect Barack Obama’s long-term energy plan, for a couple of reasons.

First, it can be done relatively quickly using existing state and regional agencies.

Conservation is also essential if the country is to switch to cleaner, more renewable forms of electricity, since they can’t currently provide the sheer megawatts that fossil fuel or nuclear power can produce.

CNN