Energy use in Monroe County (Rochester), New York

In 1981, Monroe County residents sent more than $0.75 × 109 to other states and countries for energy purchases. As with most areas in the energy poor, frost-belt states of the northeastern United States, these energy costs have increased precipitously since the 1973–1974 OPEC embargo to a point today where they constitute a serious financial drain for the community. It is projected that by 1988 close to $1 × 109 will be needed for energy purchases. Energy conservation will save money and create jobs, as will production of local energy. Because of the job-creation differential for capital invested in large centralized energy facilities vs local, dispersed-energy projects, Monroe County could employ at least five people locally in energy-conservation jobs for each person that might be employed in a major petroleum- or utility-related job in some other region. By increasing energy efficiency only 10%, Monroe County could create 5000–10,000 jobs. To achieve these efficiency gains, a comprehensive energy plan convering all sectors of energy consumption must be devised, adopted, and implemented. A key element in such a plan would be a financing scheme to enable residents to make energy-efficiency improvements at little or no overall cost.