Strategies to Lower Utility Bills Now for Households and Small Businesses

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) held a briefing about readily-available solutions to help reduce energy costs for homes and small businesses. Together, rising energy demand, extreme weather events, and aging infrastructure are straining the U.S. electric grid, leaving homes and small businesses to feel the impacts of higher utility bills. With U.S. electricity prices having risen an average of 40% since 2020, affordability is now at the center of many conversations on energy policy. Upgrades to heating and cooling systems, insulation, and a wide range of household appliances can add up to cost-effective energy improvements that boost comfort in harsh weather, uplift consumer confidence, expand freedom of choice, and give consumers more control over their utility bills. Appliances with the ENERGY STAR® label, for example, can save a single household $450 annually. This briefing convened experts from around the country with on-the-ground experience in bolstering energy efficiency and delivering savings to consumers. These panelists explored the benefits of energy-saving solutions available to households and small businesses. They also identified key federal programs that support these initiatives, such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program.

One year after the catastrophic wildfires that blazed through southern California, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) invite you to a briefing on emerging solutions to tackle the wildfire crisis, and the federal policy strategies for getting these solutions into the field. Communities nationwide are experiencing longer wildfire seasons and more intense, destructive wildfires. Hotter and drier weather, decades of fire over-suppression leading to the buildup of flammable materials, and increasing development in and around fire-prone areas have transformed wildfire—once a natural and sustainable part of American landscapes—into a major threat. From California to New Jersey, wildfires are taking a toll—costing the United States up to $424 billion annually and displacing tens of thousands of people. This briefing will highlight efforts to address this crisis, including wildfire preparedness, response, and recovery policies and innovations in the United States. Panelists will identify evidence-backed approaches—from smart zoning and upgraded building codes to fuels management and early detection—and the role of federal policy in supporting the rapid development and cost-effective implementation of these tactics at scale. Attendees will leave this briefing with an understanding of how to strengthen wildfire mitigation efforts, bolster community wildfire resilience, ease the strain on emergency services, and save taxpayer dollars.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) held a briefing on commonsense technologies and solutions to keep energy costs low and meet rising demand. The rapid growth in energy demand from data centers has raised energy affordability conversations in households across the country. And on Capitol Hill, energy affordability might be the major theme of energy policy discussions. This panel covered a broad portfolio of commercially-available technologies and resources—from energy efficiency to renewable energy to natural gas—that are essential to understand in order to ensure that the U.S. energy system can continue to grow and promote domestic prosperity, encourage innovation, and provide opportunities for economic development. The briefing shared new findings from the 2026 edition of the Sustainable Energy in America Factbook. The Factbook provides valuable year-over-year data and insights on the U.S. energy transformation. It examines trends in data centers and artificial intelligence along with the ways in which permitting and siting as well as federal appropriations impact the deployment of modern energy solutions. The report also features an in-depth look at key topics including demand-side energy resources, renewable energy, natural gas, energy storage, and sustainable transportation.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a Rapid Readout on energy resilience and recovery after Winter Storm Fern in late January. Many on the East Coast and in the South took weeks to dig out from this storm. Homes and businesses in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee were without electricity for more than a week, leaving residents in life-threatening situations. Building on lessons from past devastating winter storms, such as Winter Storm Uri that impacted Texas in February 2021, this Rapid Readout examined Fern's impacts on power grids and potential resilient solutions to help residents weather future storms.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) held a briefing about state-led energy solutions to meet rapidly increasing power demand needed to grow America’s economy, support energy security and resilience, and put downward pressure on electricity costs.  Attendees heard from State Energy Office leaders about the 11-state Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative, 13-state Geothermal Power Accelerator, hydropower, advanced transmission reconductoring and grid optimization, and energy storage. Panelists discussed energy efficiency solutions that are lowering energy bills for consumers and businesses, and the latest on state energy security initiatives designed to improve reliability and speed the recovery of energy systems following physical, weather, and cyber incidents. Speakers highlighted key federal policies that can help states in their efforts to catalyze energy innovation and address energy affordability.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing on the state of federal clean energy and energy efficiency tax credits. This briefing reviewed how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21) modified or altogether ended 12 key tax credits, including those for electric vehicles, renewables, biofuels, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and energy efficiency. The briefing shared ways companies and consumers are adapting to this new landscape, as well as the short- and long-term implications for the energy industry, developers, and manufacturers. Panelists also explored the outlook for using federal tax policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy bills for households and businesses, and increase resilience to climate impacts while advancing U.S. competitiveness on the global stage.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a Rapid Readout about the major outcomes from this year’s United Nations climate negotiations in Belém, Brazil (COP30). This Readout unpacked where key negotiations landed on issues including next steps on international climate finance, climate adaptation metrics, the intersection of climate and trade, and the implementation of carbon markets.  The Readout reviewed the status of updated country commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase adaptation efforts and the next steps in the global effort to assess progress towards collective climate goals. Speakers unpacked the U.S. presence at COP30, including federal, subnational, and private sector roles in the proceedings; highlighted next steps following COP30; and explained what it all means for U.S. climate policy. View the full briefing series at eesi.org/cop30-briefings.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about the nexus of global trade and climate change. International trade is an integral part of the U.S. economy—the United States is the world’s largest importer and second-largest exporter of goods. While trade presents economic opportunities, it also comes at a cost. The global movement of goods via water, air, and land accounts for 20 to 30% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Climate change is also disrupting global supply chains, increasing costs, and damaging vital infrastructure.  This briefing explored multilateral efforts to reduce trade-related greenhouse gas emissions through the lens of the upcoming international climate negotiations (COP30). Panelists discussed climate-related policies being proposed in the United States and abroad, as well as the broader geopolitical trade environment–including tariffs–impacting these efforts. Speakers also described collaborations in the maritime shipping sector, which accounts for 90% of all goods moved. Attendees left with an understanding of the different ways trade is expected to influence COP30 negotiations as well as opportunities for additional international cooperation that could advance, rather than detract from, global climate goals. View the full briefing series at eesi.org/cop30-briefings.

Seventy-one countries, including the United States, are part of the Global Cooling Pledge, a commitment initiated at the 2023 U.N. climate summit (COP28) to address the greenhouse gas emissions associated with refrigerators and air conditioning. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing that explored the imperative of reducing these emissions, especially the superpollutant hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), while also ensuring that people are kept safe from the impacts of extreme heat. The Global Cooling Pledge calls for a 68% reduction in emissions by 2050, increased availability of and access to sustainable cooling solutions by 2030, and increased energy efficiency of air conditioners.  This briefing explored progress made towards these goals—from nature-based and passive cooling to low global warming potential refrigerant technologies. Panelists also discussed the Senate-ratified Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which is phasing down HFCs. The briefing left policymakers with takeaways on what to expect at COP30 related to sustainable cooling and extreme heat as well as the economic and public health benefits of addressing refrigerant emissions domestically. View the full briefing series at eesi.org/cop30-briefings.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about what Congress can expect during the upcoming United Nations climate negotiations in Belém, Brazil (COP30). Hundreds of negotiating sessions and thousands of events will take place over the course of the two-week U.N. session. Whether traveling to Belém or observing COP30 from D.C., this briefing will guide policymakers on how to engage effectively. Panelists explained key issues on the negotiating agenda, including determining metrics for climate adaptation and charting the path toward international climate finance goals. The briefing described the role of the COP30 Brazil Presidency and its forest and agriculture priorities, unpacked the evolving role of the United States in this international policy-making process, and highlighted which U.S. stakeholders are expected at COP30—from businesses and nonprofits to state and local governments. It will also preview the realm of possible outcomes from COP30 and what they would mean for U.S. climate policy. View the full briefing series at eesi.org/cop30-briefings.