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Associates
Alliance Associate PG&E, Alliance,
Offer Better Ways to 'Light up Your Holidays'
LED Christmas lights now available. |
Holiday lighting that relies on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) use more than 90 percent less energy than traditional holiday lights, according to Alliance Associate Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). Additionally, the Alliance offers consumers a number of tips to help keep energy costs down this holiday season.
Alliance Welcomes New Associates
The Alliance welcomes Procter and Gamble (P&G) and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) to the ranks of Alliance Associates.
Transportation
New D.C. Taxes, Incentives
Reflect Vehicles' Cost to City
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DC Council Member Carol Schwartz: luxury SUVs cause "enormous wear and tear on our roads."
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Some cars cost cities more than others. Heavy SUVs, for example, cause more wear and tear on city roads and cause more air pollution than other cars, the D.C. Council found. On the other hand, hybrid cars are usually lighter, necessitate fewer fuel trucks coming into the city, and cause less air pollution than other cars. The D.C. Council recently amended its tax code to recognize the societal costs of vehicles. Owners of luxury SUVs will see their taxes and registration fees increase, while owners of hybrid cars will have their excise tax completely waived and their registration fees cut in half. More.
24 Hours with New Accord Hybrid
Alliance Transportation Director Gail Hendrickson takes the Accord's keys from Scott Gerke, manager of federal affairs, American Honda Motor Company. |
Scott Gerke of Honda Motor Company handed over the keys of a soon-to-be-released Honda Accord Hybrid, the first Hybrid powered by a V-6 engine, to Alliance Transportation Director Gail Hendrickson. Hendrickson then spent a day getting to know the Accord. "The Honda Accord drove great," said Hendrickson, "and I think it's fantastic that Honda now has three hybrid models to choose from: the Accord, the Civic and the Insight." The EPA estimates the Accord's mileage at 29 city/37 highway. Honda is able to achieve these impressive numbers through its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system which features new Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. VCM deactivates the V-6 engine’s rear bank of three cylinders, while cruising at steady speeds, when less power is required. More. Also, GM and DaimlerChrysler are planning a joint development of hybrid vehicles. More.
Automakers, Dealers Sue California
Over New Emissions Regulation
Gov. Schwarzenegger in proto-type Hydrogen Hummer. |
Nine automakers and automobile dealers in California's Central Valley banded together to sue California in an attempt to overturn regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from automobiles. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger pledged to fight for the regulation, signed into law by his predecessor, Gray Davis. The auto industry contends that the regulation amounts to an illegal effort to increase the fuel economy of vehicles—which is regulated at the federal, not state, level—and argues that consumers will face limited choice in the marketplace and higher prices for every vehicle. Advocates of the bill point to a growing body of scientific research showing that reducing emissions linked to climate change is an urgent concern. They cite trends including higher ozone levels, which contribute to health problems including asthma, as well as increased incidences of infectious disease and heat-related deaths. Washington Post. New York Times.
International
Armenian President Signs 'Energy Saving, Renewable Energy' Bill
Representatives of the Ministry of Energy, USAID, and the Alliance discuss the law concept paper at the Teqeyan Conference Center in Armenia. |
Armenian President Robert Kocharian recently signed an energy bill into law, "On Energy Saving and Renewable Energy.” Ultimately, the bill’s backers hope that through saving energy and investing in renewable energy sources, Armenia will be more secure ( less dependent on foreign sources of energy), prosperous (capital freed from energy costs), and healthy (less environmental damage from energy-related pollution). The law was developed with technical assistance provided by the Alliance within the framework of the Municipal Network for Energy Efficiency Program funded by USAID. The recommendation for this legal action came from the Armenian Energy Efficiency Council established by the Alliance in April 2002.
Iloilo City Water District, Alliance
Cement Water Partnership
The Alliance's Felicia Ruiz and MIWD Board Member Celso Javelosa shake hands after singing a memorandum of understanding. |
The Alliance and the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) jointly agreed to identify energy-efficiency opportunities within the district, implement needed measures, and disseminate program results to other municipalities. The agreement took the form of a Memorandum of Understanding, signed at a recent Water and Energy Efficiency Conference in Iloilo, Philippines. More than 80 senior managers from 40 water districts in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines attended the conference. Speakers from both the private and public sectors lectured on reducing waste, improving water quality, and easing tariffs. More.
Manage Your Alliance Newsletter Account
You can subscribe or unsubscribe to Alliance newsletters and add information that will allow the Alliance to customize the emails you receive. Manage your account. |
Exclusive e-FFICIENCY NEWS Interview:
Jeff Terry, Manager, Habitat for Humanity for Whirlpool Corp.
 Since the late '90s, Whirlpool Corporation has partnered with Habitat for Humanity, donating appliances to the homes Habitat built. In 2000, Whirlpool pledged to donate $25 million worth of Energy Star®-qualified appliances to every Habitat home built in North America through 2005. Jeff Terry is the manager for Whirlpool's Habitat for Humanity outreach program. Jeff spent some time talking to e-FFICIENCY NEWS during this season of giving about Whirlpool's partnership with Habitat. We are delighted to bring you this exclusive interview with the man whose company is bringing efficient appliances to those who most need to keep their monthly utility bills low.
e-FFICIENCY NEWS: Whirlpool Corporation has a reputation as a responsible community partner, for example, through your strong relationship with Habitat. How did this relationship come about, and what role or services does Whirlpool provide?
 Jeff Terry: We were inspired by the work of Habitat for Humanity and knew that it was in keeping with our belief that the "Home is the Heart of a Family." Whirlpool ventured into a one-year commitment in 1999 to donate a refrigerator and range to every Habitat home in North America. In 2000, the partnership was expanded to 5 years, and it's grown in many wonderful ways to support the work of Habitat for Humanity. One example: In 2001, we updated our product donation package to include an Energy Star-qualified refrigerator to every home throughout North America. Read the full interview. More about Whirlpool and Habitat.
Policy
Bodman Named Energy Secretary-Designate;
Sen. Dominici Predicts Swift Confirmation
 President Bush has named Samuel Bodman as the new Secretary of Energy, replacing out-going Secretary Spencer Abraham. Bodman is moving from the U.S. Department of Treasury where he has been serving as the Deputy Secretary. President Bush said Bodman "has shown himself to be a problem-solver who knows how to set goals and . . . reach them." Sen. Dominici (R-NM), head of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources committee, predicts a swift confirmation and said he looks forward to working with Bodman "in addressing the nation’s energy challenges.” More.
Report Recommends Increased Energy Security, Energy Efficiency
From "Ending the Energy Stalemate," downloadable here. |
A new report on oil security and climate change recommends a significant—but unspecified— increase in CAFE standards paired with manufacturer and consumer tax incentives, updated and expanded appliance standards and building codes, and other energy-efficiency related measures. The report, Ending the Energy Stalemate, was written by the National Commission on Energy Policy, comprised of energy experts, industry executives, an environmental advocate, a labor leader, and former key government officials. On energy efficiency, the commission supported a modest greenhouse gas tradable permits system, a doubling of federal funding for energy research and development, and greatly expanded early deployment incentives. The Alliance applauded the commission’s unanimous support for major fuel economy gains but urged a greater focus on policies to use demand-side programs to meet electricity and natural gas needs. Energy Commission Site.
FY 2005 Appropriations Bill Nicks Energy Efficiency
The Fiscal Year 2005 (FY 2005) omnibus appropriations bill trimmed the energy-efficiency budget down to $871.8 million— $4 million leaner than the administration had requested, and $6 million lighter than in FY 2004 and $25 million less than in FY 2002. The legislation was signed by the President December 8. To see which programs were cut, which escaped the knife, and which received small increases, see the Alliance's legislative alert and budget chart.
Congressional Fact-Finding Group:
Up to Their Elbows in Efficiency
From left: Rich Goodstein, David Goldstein, Tom Cackette, Dan Sperling, and Kevin Harris discuss energy-efficient transportation at the Ca. Fuel Cell Partnership. |
A delegation of 13 congressional staff members, Bush administration officials, and Alliance Associates saw energy efficiency come alive on a fact-finding field trip with Alliance staffers to see a variety of energy-efficient technologies in action. Participants drove fuel-cell vehicles at the California Fuel Cell Partnership, toured Manhattan in a hybrid-electric bus, visited basements of massive commercial buildings to see state-of-the-art cooling and heating systems, and watched lab technicians work on cutting-edge window, lighting, and battery technologies. “The trip was terrific," said Kevin Carroll, staff director of the Energy Subcommittee, House Science Committee. "It was packed with real-life examples of things that we often discuss in the abstract on The Hill." Information and pictures.
Alliance's Misuriello Offers Two Courses at CSI Show
Harry Misuriello |
Alliance Buildings and Utilities Director Harry Misuriello will offer two "courses" at the Annual Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) Show and Convention this April. Misuriello's offerings are Basics of Facility Energy Management (three sessions), and Facility Energy Efficiency Update: What's New and Upcoming in Building Energy Codes and Advanced Building Energy Guidelines. More or contact Harry Misuriello
New Window into Windows
Image from the Windows Selection Tool |
The popularity of shows like Trading Spaces and Designed to Sell has spurred a stampede of home improvement projects across the nation. For consumers looking to replace old windows—or add new ones—the Efficient Windows Collaborative (EWC) offers a new web tool to help choose the best window, based on specific criteria. The new product, the Window Selection Tool, helps consumers learn more about energy-efficient products by comparing the energy performance of more than 30 generic window product types. Use the Windows Selection Tool
Award Winners Wow Attendees with Wit, Insight, Poetry
 The award winners at the Alliance's 2004 Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency shone brightly, regaling the guests with humorous, thoughtful speeches—and some poetry—at the December 9 gala . Award-winning Alliance Board member Tom Kuhn of Edison Electric Institute (right) read an original poem, which was followed by Alliance Chair Sen. Byron Dorgan's recitation of a ditty by Ogden Nash. Gerald Groenewold of Energy and Environmental Research Center, and Southern California Edison's Bob Foster, and others delivered insightful speeches on energy efficiency. Poem and slides. Awardees. All about the dinner.
Publications
RMI Releases Nine Briefs
With Money-Saving Tips for Homeowners
The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) has released nine new briefs to help homeowners save money with efficient lighting, space cooling and heating, water heating, cleaning appliances, electronics, kitchen appliances, building envelope components, and whole system design. RMI's updated Home Energy Briefs offer immediate suggestions to help homeowners properly weatherize their homes and cash in on other energy-saving measures for the upcoming cold season.More about Home Energy Briefs | Download individual briefs.
$1.6 Billion for Energy-Efficiency Projects
in State Budgets, Says CEE
States have spent $1.6 billion on energy efficiency in 2004, estimates the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE). “This figure does not include municipal utilities, co-op utilities, and even some investor-owned utilities,” explained CEE’s Research and Evaluation Manager Monica Nevius. “The estimate has been made of a moving target. Funding is always changing. But despite cuts to the budgets of some states, total efficiency spending has increased substantially over the past few years.” CEE's News Release | Breakdown by state
Updated Status of State Energy Codes
 The Building Codes Awareness Project (BCAP) has released the latest newsletter covering state energy codes. Find out what Idaho, Arkansas, and Ohio have in common (hint: it has to do with the 2003 IECC). Read the newsletter. Related: The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy reports that states lead the way on energy efficiency. Read their release: On Energy-Saving Standards, States Lead, DOE Lags
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