Alliance Bids Farewell to 20-Year Veteran, EVP Mark Hopkins
 Mark Hopkins |
After more than 20 years, Alliance Executive Vice President Mark Hopkins has left the Alliance. At his farewell party, speakers recounted his successes, including managing a heating system retrofit program, helping states free up money to use on low-income weatherization programs, organizing field tests of new energy-audit techniques, and helping to craft ideas for federal legislation both in the U.S. and abroad. Mark will be missed in the energy-efficiency community—though he plans on ad-hoc consulting when he’s not making energy-efficiency upgrades to his new home in Baltimore, or attending to his first love: painting. Send Mark an email.
Joe Desmond Succeeds Alliance Board Member William Keese as CEC Chair
 Joe Desmond (right) has been nominated to chair the California Energy Commission (CEC), suceeding Alliance Board Member William Keese, who stepped down in March. Desmond must still be confirmed by the California Senate. News release.
Free Registration Deadline Nears
For May 10 Great Energy Efficiency Debate
The five proud sponsors of the Great Debate. |
Attendance for the Alliance’s May 10 Great Energy Efficiency Debate is already growing rapidly, so please register before the May 6 deadline to ensure your seat. Austin Energy, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Energy Foundation, ICF Consulting, and REEEP are sponsoring the Great Debate. Register online and check out the 'star-studded' agenda.
National Policy
Sen. Hatch Proposes Tax Credits
For Hybrid Vehicle Purchases
Sen. Hatch discusses the CLEAR Act outside the Capitol. |
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) has again introduced legislation to provide consumer-based tax incentives for the purchase of hybrid electric vehicles in addition to tax credits for other advanced transportation technologies, alternatives fuels, and supporting infrastructure. Dubbed “The CLEAR Act,” Hatch’s bill would provide a tax credit of up to $4,000 for the purchase of hybrid electric passenger vehicles and light trucks as well as significant tax credits for the purchase of hybrid trucks and buses. Alliance President Kateri Callahan praised the bill, noting “Federal incentives encouraging the purchase and use of hybrid electric vehicles through the tax code will help to lessen our dependence on imported oil and improve the efficiency of the transportation sector.” More.
Moving Backwards: House Passes Energy Bill
Lacking in Energy Efficiency
 Last Thursday, the House passed a “new” energy bill that—despite record oil, gasoline, and natural gas prices—actually cut many of the already-modest provisions and incentives encouraging energy efficiency in the previous energy bill. While the new H.R. 6 retains some important appliance standards and a tax credit for improvements to existing homes, the Alliance estimates that the energy savings from the new bill are more than one-third less than the country would have realized under the old energy bill conference report. Although congressional champions, including Alliance Vice-Chairs Reps. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), pressed to include some of the Alliance’s Vision 2010 energy-efficiency policies, most efficiency amendments were rejected. The Alliance is working with key Senate offices to ensure that the Senate energy bill is more balanced and provides significant programs and policies to encourage energy efficiency. More on energy policy.
U.S. Reps: Increase Funding for Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy
A bipartisan coalition of 67 U.S. representatives is calling on congressional appropriators to significantly increase Fiscal Year 2006 funding for DOE's energy efficiency and renewable energy (EERE) programs above the levels proposed by the White House. The letter calls for the "restoration of funding to last year's enacted levels for DOE's EERE budget, while supporting the president's recommended levels for wind, fuel cells, and renewably based hydrogen." News release, text of letter:
EPA Launches Partnership
To Increase Energy Efficiency, Cut Pollution
 EPA recently initiated the Smartway Transport Partnership, a voluntary program that establishes incentives for fuel efficiency improvements and greenhouse gas emission reductions. The initiative aims to save up to 150 million barrels of oil annually by 2012, while reducing between 33-66 million metric tons of CO2 and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions per year. “Given the fact that 85 percent of cargo in the US is trucked, this is an important program. It can significantly reduce the amount of petroleum use in the U.S. freight delivery system, resulting in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution,” noted Alliance Transportation Director Gail Hendrickson. Smartway Transport Partnership web site.
Watergy
By Any Measure, Watergy a Success
Technicians in Tijuana, Mexico learn how to detect leaks in the municipal water system. |
Through the implementation of energy-efficiency measures recommended by the Alliance, two municipalities in southern India, which provide water to a combined population of 1.5 million, have reduced annual energy bills by an average of 12 percent—achieving annual energy savings of 1,537 megawatt hours and annual cost savings of $124,000. Simultaneous savings in water waste from more efficient pumping operations will allow the municipality to deliver water to about 79,500 additional people. The reduced municipal energy use can also allow the state electric utility to provide electricity to about 12,200 more homes. More on Watergy.
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Exclusive Interview: Marianne Osterkorn
 Marianne Osterkorn |
If your neighbors just finished a successful home-improvement project, you might ask them for advice before undertaking a similar project. This common-sense approach—replicating someone else's success—is the motivating force behind the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), a coalition of progressive governments, businesses, and organizations that helps governments work together to meet their own sustainable energy objectives on their own timetables. e-FFICIENCY NEWS posed some questions to REEEP International Director Marianne Osterkorn.
e-FFICIENCY NEWS: What is REEEP, and what makes it unique compared with other organizations?
Marianne Osterkorn: The REEEP is an international partnership, based in Vienna, focused on stimulating the marketplace for energy efficiency and renewable energy via successful policies, regulations, and financial models. Our mandate is replication, and this can be achieved only through the collaboration of governments, businesses, and NGOs to identify and replicate successful policies and financial models which support clean energy and energy conservation. Full Interview.
Jamming to Efficiency: Maroon5 Interview
Maroon5 rocker Jesse Carmichael and his sister, Alliance staffer Anna. |
Who says energy efficiency can’t rock? One of the hottest bands in America, Maroon5, selected Honda to sponsor its 2005 summer tour so the band could promote hybrid gas-electric vehicles. Coincidentally, one of the members of Maroon5, Jesse Carmichael, is the brother of Alliance Policy Team staffer Anna Carmichael. Before a recent performance in D.C., the Carmichaels talked about what energy efficiency means to the band.
Anna Carmichael: Did you choose to accept Honda’s offer to sponsor your tour so you could promote the Civic Hybrid?
Maroon5 |
Jesse Carmichael: I'm very happy to be involved with the car company with the most environmentally friendly track record. The idea that we might be able to influence our fans' opinions about what kind of car to buy is very exciting. We were the first band Honda has worked with that customized a hybrid model for a giveaway, and we are proud to be spreading the word about alternative energy sources. You also can go to the Honda Civic Hybrid Tour page to hear Adam (the singer) and James (the guitarist) explain why we chose to participate in this tour. Full Interview.
Efficiency and the Economy
One Million People Take P&G/Alliance
ColdWater Challenge—Savings Could Equal
$63 Million, 6.9 Million Btus
A CSU student washes in cold and saves CSU a bundle. |
With high energy costs taking a bigger bite out of consumer wallets each day, more than one million Americans accepted the Procter & Gamble (P&G)/Alliance ColdWater Challenge to wash their clothes in cold water to save money and energy. The web-based challenge could save participants up to $63 million and has inspired Colorado State University (CSU) to encourage students in its dormitories and apartments to start washing in cold water. CNN Money. CSU news release
New Report Links Energy Efficiency,
Shareholder Value
 Businesses that want to increase their shareholder value now have another reason to incorporate energy-efficiency strategies into their daily workings, according to a recent study by GreenBiz.com and EPA’s Energy Star program. The study, Energy Management and Shareholder Value, details the bottom-line benefits of energy efficiency, such as lower operating costs, higher sales, and a burnished image. The report also offers companies resources for energy management as well as a “six-point path for success.” Executive summary
Today's Technology for Tomorrow’s Homes
What if your gas furnace or water heater produced electricity as well as heat? Two organizations, America Honda Motor Company and Massachusetts-based Climate Energy, have partnered to develop and market a compact cogeneration, or micro combined heat and power (MCHP), device. MCHP converts natural gas energy normally wasted in a conventional heating appliance into electric power, increasing the efficiency by 85 percent. More than 15,000 such systems have been up and running in Japan since 2003. Honda news release.
Efficiency in Northwest U.S.
Industrial Efficiency Alliance Launched in Northwest
A new group, the Industrial Efficiency Alliance, has been formed to help industry in the Northwest adopt energy-efficient business practices. The new group aims to save 130 average megawatts by 2015, enough to power 90,000 households for a year. To effectively address the unique needs of each participating industry sector, the Industrial Efficiency Alliance has named nine technical energy-efficiency specialists to address industry requirements, provide training opportunities, and build partnerships among industrial businesses and their suppliers. More.
Washington State First in Nation
To Require ‘Green Building’ Standards
Washington leads the nation’s “green building” pack with the first state wide law requiring all new public buildings, including schools, to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards for energy efficiency. Under this new law, officials estimate energy coast savings of 20 percent through sustainable building designs, something Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire hopes will encourage other states to follow suit. California, Virginia, Hawaii, and Virginia are also considering similar legislation, and Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago has instituted the same guidlines for public buildings in The Windy City. News release
Idaho Utility Offers Incentives
For Energy-Efficient New Construction
Idaho Power Co. has initiated a new program providing financial incentives to businesses that incorporate energy-efficient features in new commercial construction projects. The program will grant incentives of up to $20,000 per project in Idaho Power's service area. More.
Transportation
Motorists Say Continued High Gas Prices
Would Be Financial Hardship
Gas prices, like these by the Alliance HQ, have fallen slightly, but won't change much, EIA. predicts. |
A recent Associated Press-AOL poll found that 51 percent of those surveyed say six more months of high gas prices will cause a financial hardship for them, reports the AP. Yet the Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicted little relief in the April 20 issue of This Week in Petroleum, which stated the EIA "is not expecting. . . the U.S. average retail price of regular gasoline to drop below $2 per gallon for a sustained period anytime soon." Still, consumers can lower their gasoline bills by adopting the Alliance to Save Energy's gas tips (en español). U.S. legislators can help even more by enacting the Alliance's Vision 2010, a federal legislative plan that could reduce annual energy use by approximately 2.2 quads by 2010.
LEDs Light Up DC Taxi Tops, Traffic Lights
 Advertisers anticipate District of Columbia residents and visitors will take notice of their products, thanks to LED Taxi Tops—a newly designed advertising medium that uses energy-efficient LED (light emitting diodes) technology to light up and easily update promotional signs on the tops of taxis. In April, Washington, D.C., became the fourth city with taxis sporting the mobile and cost-effective advertising technology. Also in April, the Washington, D.C. Department of Transportation replaced all of the city's incandescent traffic lights with energy-efficient LEDs that use 90 percent less energy. The move was part of the GreenDC Week, April 18-23, which encompassed Earth Day. Taxi Tops news release. More on GreenDC Week.
Report: Hybrid Growth Up 960 Percent
More than 83,000 new hybrid vehicles were registered nationwide in 2004, an increase of 81 percent over 2003, reports R.L. Polk & Co, a premiere informational source for automobile trends. The study also shows that since hybrids hit the roads for the first time in 2000, the market has grown by more than 960 percent. R.L. Polk & Co. News release
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