About 140000 houses will be weatherized with public help this year, a total that President Barack Obama has promised to raise to one million, to reduce energy consumption and cut energy costs for households and taxpayers, who often absorb those costs for the poor. Energy technology research competes for federal aid, said a spokeswoman for the Energy Department. Some states contribute their own money or divert federal money intended to help the poor pay their energy bills. more

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have released an updated version of the “National Action Plan Vision for 2025″, which lays out a proposed energy efficiency action plan for state policy makers. Should it be implemented by all states, the plan is expected to lower energy demand across the country by 50%, achieve more than $500 billion in net savings over the next 20 years, and reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 90 mio. cars.