Since Thomas Edison’s first power plant lit up 800 light bulbs in New York City on the evening of September 4, 1882, electricity has become our most prevalent energy form. It drives our nation’s economy and powers the technologies that enhance our quality of life.

Today our national demand for electricity is at an all-time high. Rapid population growth and an expanding digital economy will drive U.S. electricity demand even higher—at least 40 percent higher—within the next 25 years. Worldwide, electricity demand is expected to double during the same time. That’s a lot of power!

Electric efficiency is—and will continue to be—a critical part of the solution to meeting the rising demands for electricity while also addressing climate change and other environmental issues associated with the generation of electricity. New and improved end-use technologies deployed across economic sectors, as well as the reinforcement of electric efficiency as a core value for all energy users, will help to moderate the need for new power plants while also helping to reduce emissions.