Energy Efficiency and Electrification in Context
Ashley Duckman is Managing Director of Policy and Strategy with the American Gas Association’s Energy Markets, Analysis and Standards team.
Energy efficiency and electrification as policy concepts have garnered considerable attention over the past five years. They mean vastly different things, but as policymakers grapple with important decisions about the future of our energy system, many voices in the policy conversation have conflated the two in ways that have blurred the lines and therefore also the distinctions between them. As we continue to consider new policy solutions for today’s evolving energy landscape, it’s time to ground the true meaning of these two terms in their intended context.
Creating a more efficient, lower-emissions energy system requires a multifaceted and context-sensitive approach, carefully balancing environmental goals with practical considerations such as safety, affordability, and reliability. By clearly distinguishing energy efficiency from electrification and adopting comprehensive strategies informed by full-fuel-cycle data, policymakers can ensure practical, realistic, and effective progress toward achieving shared climate goals.
What is Energy Efficiency?
Energy efficiency means achieving the same or better outcomes with less energy — plain and simple. It is a proven strategy for emission reductions. For example, natural gas utilities have invested heavily into improving efficiency in distribution systems.