We spend a lot of time on this blog discussing the environmental and financial benefits of living in energy efficient homes. Buildings that have been upgraded for sustainability emit fewer carbon emissions, mitigating manmade contributions to climate change, and also reap considerably cheaper utility bills, which helps to cut back on expenses for both homeowners and businesses. But one of the lesser touted features of eco-friendly living is the economic benefit. A new report from a host of labor unions and environmental groups across the country does exactly that, designating energy efficiency as the number one recommendation for increasing job growth and competitiveness among manufacturers. 

According to green news source Earth Techling, a new report entitled "Policy on Industrial Energy Efficiency" asserts that reducing carbon pollution can make the United States' manufacturing industry more globally competitive and help promote job creation.

"At its very essence, pollution is merely wasted energy during the manufacturing process," said David Foster, executive director for BlueGreen Alliance, which published the report, in a press release. "These are common-sense ideas and investments that policymakers can and should implement to reduce carbon pollution, and create and maintain jobs by aiding companies in becoming more efficient and competitive."

The source reports that by using incentives like billion-dollar federal tax credits, the U.S. manufacturing sector could reduce industrial energy consumption by 21 percent by 2020, yielding $47 billion in annual savings, which can, in turn, be re-invested to create new jobs.

Maryland homeowners who would like to take steps toward green living are encouraged to meet with Maryland home inspectors for an energy audit, which can help assess how your home uses power and what can be done to both improve efficiency and reduce utility expenses.