Saving energy through energy efficiency improvements can cost less than generating, transmitting, and distributing energy from power plants, and provides multiple economic and environmental benefits. As President Obama said in June 2009, By bringing more energy-efficient technologies to American homes and businesses, we wont just significantly reduce our energy demand--well put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Americans. Energy efficiency also helps reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, improves energy security and independence, and creates jobs. Local governments can promote energy efficiency in their jurisdictions by developing and implementing strategies that improve the efficiency of municipal facilities and operations and/or encourage energy efficiency improvements in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The energy efficiency guides in this series describe the process of developing and implementing strategies, using real-world examples, for improving energy efficiency in local government operations (see the guides on local government operations, K-12 schools, combined heat and power, and water and wastewater facilities), as well as in the community (see the guide on affordable housing).