Midwest could conserve

With energy prices rising, the economy slowing and worries about global warming growing, an environmental advocacy group says increasing energy efficiency in buildings and homes could help with all three problems. A report issued by Environment Illinois Tuesday outlines energy efficiency opportunities in three Midwestern states -- Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. Increasing energy efficiency in residential, commercial and industrial construction; replacing inefficient appliances; and upgrading existing heating, cooling and lighting systems could create jobs, Environment Illinois said. It would also save Americans money they could spend in other ways, and help ease global warming, the report said. In Illinois, for example, the report found that if all commercial buildings improved the efficiency of their lighting systems by 40 percent, it would reduce pollution at levels comparable to removing about 800,000 cars from the road.