International business briefs: EPA encourages energy efficiency, Campbell reappointment, NASA blows whistle on Bush, Siemens goes green, Environmental engineers honoured
As temperatures drop this autumn, the US Environment Protection Agency is encouraging Americans to save energy, reduce utility bills and protect the environment by increasing the energy efficiency of their home heating systems. The average household spends US$1,500 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. EPA estimates that if one in 10 American households used heating and cooling equipment that has been awarded with the energy efficiency Energy Star label, the change would prevent an estimated 17 billion lbs in greenhouse gas emissions.