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Giving incentives for the efficient use of energy is a good way to promote energy conservation. This practise is now being done in the United States wherein those who comply with energy policies are rewarded with financial incentives such as reduced taxes, exemption from paying taxes, access to loans and funds, and tax breaks based on a few standards set by the policy and on the quality of compliance.

Examples of this policy would be the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Such incentive programmes aim to lower the dependence of the United States on petroleum rich-countries for its oil needs, thus creating more domestic jobs and supporting the growth of other industries in the country.

To further support the need to conserve and use energy wisely, US President Barack Obama approved a budget of $26.4 billion for the Department of Energy. The DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy was given a $2.3 billion budget for its efforts in energy conservation. The additional budget is to be used as a capital for expanding production and utilisation of energy in efficient ways. The government is also expected to invest in energy-efficient technologies such as hybrids and smart grid technologies and improve the fields of innovation and scientific research.

With all these efforts, the government is bound to conserve more energy after a few years and reduce the effects of global warming.