WHY THE URGENCY?

• The United States represents 6.6% of the world's population, yet accounts for 25% of global energy consumption.
  
  
• The Washington, D.C. region alone produces approximately 65.6 million metric tons of CO2 annually.  This is more than all the emissions of Sweden, which has nearly twice the population of the region.  One important way for cities, counties and lay people to reduce their energy use is to retrofit existing buildings with more energy efficient products and technologies.
  
  
• The businesses, banks, local governments and energy services companies partnering with VT in this energy efficiency program are addressing the issue of global warming in a way which is good for the environment and makes good business sense.
  
  
• There is already high awareness of the advantages of retrofitting among local governments, but very little incentive and few funding resources to drive change.  The Energy Efficiency Partnership, if well managed and adequately funded, will provide a bold impetus and clear blueprint for other regions to follow.