Aggressive electrification of energy end uses—such as space heating, water heating, and transportation—will be essential if the U.S. and the world are to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. Electrification of energy end uses displaces the burning of fossil fuels, such as natural gas, gasoline, diesel, propane, and fuel oil. This displacement has the potential to reduce GHG emissions now and even more so in the future.

Under these circumstances, it may be wise to focus more on “emissions efficiency” rather than energy conservation, arguably turning conventional wisdom upside down.

In this webinar, Keith Dennis of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), along with Ken Colburn and Jim Lazar of RAP, explore environmentally beneficial electrification. The presenters examine:

• The concepts behind environmentally beneficial electrification and “emissions efficiency” (or “emiciency”);
• The role environmentally beneficial electrification can play in meeting greenhouse gas goals;
• The need for new metrics to evaluate energy projects;
• The role of policy in environmentally beneficial electrification;
• Interaction between the Clean Power Plan and environmentally beneficial electrification;
• What steps can be taken now with “no regrets”; and
• Key takeaways for industry and regulators.

Read more on this topic in the speakers’ recent article, Environmentally Beneficial Electrification: The Dawn of ‘Emissions Efficiency’ in The Electricity Journal.