The Need for Stronger Standards

Reversing global warming cannot be achieved without developing clean energy sources and squeezing more use per watt out of all sources.

For instance, while opposing coal power in Kansas, Earthjustice supported the alternative use of that state's abundant wind for power generation. Such reliance on local sources—wind, solar, and geothermal—reduces the need for power that contributes to global warming.

Earthjustice also supports heightened energy efficiency standards for buildings, heaters, transformers, and air conditioners, as well as lower-emission fuels for transportation. And we're using the power of the law to increase energy efficiency standards on a national level.

 Requiring Greater Energy Savings

Earthjustice has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Energy for failing to strengthen weak and outdated energy efficiency standards for commercial heating and cooling equipment. More efficient heating and cooling could save enough energy to eliminate the need for dozens of new power plants.

 Forcing Stronger Standards for Electricity Distribution

Earthjustice is filing a lawsuit against the Department of Energy for adopting weak energy efficiency standards for electricity distribution transformers—the ubiquitous gray boxes mounted on utility poles. DOE's own analysis indicates that setting the standards at a level that is already met by the best transformers on the market would eliminate the need to build about 20 new large power plants.