CHICAGO (AP) -- With energy prices rising, the economy slowing and worries about global warming growing, an environmental advocacy group says increasing energy efficiency in buildings and homes could help with all three problems.A report issued by Environment Illinois on Tuesday outlines energy efficiency opportunities in three Midwestern states -- Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.
Increasing energy efficiency in residential, commercial and industrial construction; replacing inefficient appliances; and upgrading existing heating, cooling and lighting systems could create jobs, Environment Illinois said. It would also save Americans money they could spend in other ways, and help ease global warming, the report said.
"In some ways, it feels like energy efficiency is the least sexy of all of our global warming strategies, and yet it offers the biggest bang for the buck," said State Rep. Julie Hamos, D-Evanston, who has sponsored energy efficiency legislation in the Illinois House.
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