US

The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which was passed as law on August 8, 2005 provides incentives for more efficient technologies, and notably "innovative technologies" that avoid greenhouse gases emissions. Research and development for hydrogen-powered automobiles and Liquefied Natural Gas projects are among the promoted actions. It also involves national minimum efficiency standards on large commercial package air conditioning, commercial refrigeration and automatic commercial ice-making equipment that will be effective by 2010. The efficiency levels contained in the law should reduce peak power needs by an estimated 8,000 MW by 2020.