Since utilities are in the business of generating and distributing energy and not saving it, most of the energy efficiency work in California has been outsourced to companies that specialize in that type of work.

FORBES: Sustainability Lessons for the Big Apple

The Energy Saving Trust (EST), which advises householders on energy efficiency, outlines four steps that could each save all of the 15% in one fell swoop.

BBC: Gas prices rising: Can you cut your bill by 15%?

The question is, can you create more jobs by expanding that and also helping to take care of another problem like energy efficiency, which we all know is a big avenue towards saving -- toward doing something about greenhouse gases.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

As an added bonus to saving school districts money that can be reinvested in other educational resources, energy efficiency efforts provide a valuable hands-on learning experience for students that can strengthen their math, science and communication skills, the alliance reports.

CNN: Energy efficiency urged for schools