Guess what, Californians are saving energy
While California is thought to be one of the places where more energy is used (driving in LA, all those air conditioners), statistics released in the inaugural "California Green Innovation Index" run counter to that idea and show that the conventional wisdom is wrong: Californians, per capita, actually spend a lot less money on electricity than the rest of the country. The reason? Energy saving being common practice.
What's even more interesting is that Californians drive fewer miles than the rest of the country (although overall miles driven continue to grow) and that the state emits less greenhouse gas (GHG) per capita than Germany, the UK or Japan. And, to return to the comparison with other states, Texas spends twice as much money on electricity. Another interesting finding is that California is a leader in green innovation: about a third of the US green economy is generated here.
The "California Green Innovation Index" is an initiative made by the non-profit organization called Next 10, which was founded and funded by venture capitalist F. Noel Perry. This organization's goal is to track economy and environment while California is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels (Check this link for the state's AB 32 Act about this matter).
Continue reading for more highlights about this report.
[Source: Next 10]
From Next 10:
- As a result of the first wave of green innovation, which began in the 1970s, it comes as no surprise that California is more energy efficient and emits fewer greenhouse gas emissions per capita than the United States as a whole. However, California also emits fewer GHG emissions per capita than Germany, the United Kingdom or Japan.
- With the eighth largest economy in the world and one of the nation's highest gross domestic products per capita, California's per capita GHG emissions are less than one-half the rest of the nation and are lower than they were 15 years ago. Among states, only Rhode Island emits fewer GHG emissions per capita than California.
- Green innovation, combined with other factors, allow Californians to spend less on electricity and have more to spend on other parts of the economy than the rest of the nation.
- The average monthly residential electricity bill in California is less than half of the average monthly bill in Texas, representing a total savings for Californians of nearly $25 billion in 2005. As a fraction of the state economy, Texas' overall electricity bill is almost double California's bill.
- California building and appliance standards alone have saved $56 billion through 2003 and are expected to save another $23 billion by 2013.
- California utility programs and efficiency standards have reduced the need for 24 power plants between 1975 and 2006.
- California has established itself as a world leader in green innovation. California inventors account for 44 percent of total U.S. patents for solar and 37 percent of total U.S. patents for wind technology. The state attracted 36 percent of total venture capital investment in clean energy, indicating our state's leadership in the innovation of new technologies.
- Since 1990, green business establishments in the state have grown by 84 percent and employment has doubled. Growth in green establishments has been strongest in solar energy generation.
California has fewer vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita than the rest of the country. While per capita VMT in the rest of the country has grown consistently since 1995, in California per capita VMT has declined in recent years, and is only slightly higher than in 1995. - From 2000-2005, registrations of alternative fuel vehicles (not including Flex Fuel Vehicles or FFV) increased 1800 percent.
- Per capita petroleum consumption in California has fallen consistently since 1989 and is now below 1970 levels.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
why not the LS2/LS7? 8:54PM (11/15/2007)
Or maybe it's because the climate is so mild. I spend a lot less heating my house than people do in the Northeast.
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bluegreen 11:26PM (11/15/2007)
When looking at per capita energy consumption over time, California has been fairly constant since the oil shock of the 1970's while the nation as a whole has been steadily increasing. While the weather does help in terms of absolute energy usage, the rate of change is equally if not more important. As the article points out, significant factors include regulations promoting efficiency and the decoupling of utility profits from energy use.
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UH2L 11:54AM (11/16/2007)
Interesting, but the emissions per capita stat doesn't make sense. One state could have a lot more manufacturing going on, producing products that all states' residents buy. So then this makes the manufacturing states' people look like bigger polluters.
As already mentioned, milder weather does play a factor and I would think that densely populated cities use less energy assuming that more people live in apartments or attached condos instead of stand alone houses. Large structures can hold heat (or cool) better with less exterior surface area per living volume.
Atul
http://www.thingsivenoticed.com
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RacerX 1:10PM (11/16/2007)
And why do we Californians conserve. A "green" attitudein general a REALLY high utility costs. Marginal kWh rates are about $0.36. Compare that to anywhere else in the country. With a 4-tier rate structure there is a very strong incentive to save on natural gas and electricity
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Geoff Gibson 1:55PM (11/16/2007)
Yes because ALL of California is ALWAYS 75 degrees. . .
That is probably the stupidest logic ever.
You know how hot it was in Los Angeles yesterday (November 16)? It was almost 90 degrees. . . which I'll be the first to say that it saves on any Natural Gas bills, but let us not forget the unending need for Air Conditioning.
Believe it or not California's weather is not that different from a lot of the other parts of the U.S. San Francisco regularly hits the 50 degree mark, we have entire towns where it snows (shocking I know!), and we have areas (like LA and San Diego) where it regularly hits 90 degrees + in the winter.
California has to deal with just as much weather as every other state. It's not like we have built some "weather dome" that keeps it year around at the perfect temperature. Quit being so naive.
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Charles S 2:18PM (11/16/2007)
I agree with Geoff's comments and support RacerX's assertion.
Before recent deregulation, electricity costs in Texas was avg about 8 cents per kilowatt hour. At that time, people used to spend $150+ per month and the occasional $300 for the summer and shrug about it.
Now, the lowest rate is around 12 cents kwh in my area. With newer bigger homes, big plasma TVs, or just a general lack of conservation behaviors, some people are starting to see $400-$600+ during summer months or post-Christmas-lights bills. Costs is certainly a big motivator as people are finally starting to look into ways to conserve.
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bill 2:32PM (11/16/2007)
California needs to spend a little time trying to save California. In a few years the state will have been annexed by Mexico. At some point the majority in state govenment will be Mexican, and I can't quite imagine the majority of Mexican elected officials will consist of hand wringing liberals. As far as cars go, that could be a good thing................
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UH2L 4:28PM (11/16/2007)
Geoff,
You're being unnecessarily harsh and you're not thinking. We know California has a diverse range of climates, but so do the northern states.
I would say that more parts of California are warmer than average than colder than average. When it's 95 degrees, it does take a lot of energy to cool a home, but to what temperature? 72 degrees or so. The delta is 23 degrees. And at night, the ambient temperature cools down to get closer to ideal room temp.
I know heating is more efficient than cooling, but in the northern states, it can go down to 10 degrees quite often and sometimes to -15 or -20 deg F. Even at 10 degrees, the delta from room temperature is 62 degrees! And when it's cold, it gets colder at night. We also have blizzards with winds that rob the heat from your home. And our days get shorter so we need to use more electricity for light.
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