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Welcome to the Alliance to Save Energy's monthly newsletter e-FFICIENCY NEWS

Industry Leaders Interview: Tom Gross

Picture of Tom Gross Recently, there has been renewed interest by both government and consumer groups for alternative solutions to higher than usual transportation costs. One group, the Transportation Energy Partnership (TEP), is committed to promoting and strengthening the activities of Clean Cities coalitions around the country. E-fficiency News recently had the opportunity to interview TEP’s new Executive Director Tom Gross about the role of the auto manufacturers in the development of alternative transportation technology solutions, the efficiency of producing alternative fuels, the state of plug-in hybrids, and strategies to reduce U.S. oil consumption in the transportation sector.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: For ten years, you served at the Department of Energy as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Technologies in the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy office and then served on the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Board of Directors. What motivated you to become the Executive Director of the Transportation Energy Partnership?

GROSS: The Department of Energy provided a wonderful opportunity to work on issues that I believe are important for our country. There are two main reasons why I am enthused about being Executive Director of the Transportation Energy Partnership (TEP). First, I'm pleased to have the chance to continue working on energy issues that need resolution and that I feel strongly about. Secondly, this position allows me to work with, and to support, many people for whom I have great respect and admiration. TEP's mission is to assist Clean Cities coalitions. Those in Clean Cities coalitions are on the "front lines" promoting vehicle fuel economy and the use of clean, domestic fuels for transportation. Read the full interview . . .

Sen. Obama to Alliance – I Look Forward to Working With You

Picture of Senator Barak Obama From the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention to statements on the Senate floor, Senator Barak Obama (D – Ill.) is no stranger to the idea of energy independence. And according to comments made recently at a breakfast hosted by the Alliance to Save Energy at the Standard Club in Chicago, IL, the Senator is ready to do something about the problem. “We can’t afford to wait anymore,” said Sen. Obama regarding the need for solutions to soaring oil prices. Read the full article . . .

Alliance, China Sign Energy Agreement

Picture of Alliance and China Representatives Signing Agreement As one of the world’s most rapidly developing nations, China is feeling the impact of rising energy consumption and the strain of increasing demand. Last year, China accounted for 12 percent of global energy resource consumption. In an effort to address their energy needs and discover potential solutions, the Chinese government is actively exploring energy efficiency. In April, the Alliance welcomed a delegation from the Beijing Development Reform Commission (BRDC) to discuss the introduction and application of new energy-efficiency technologies in China and strengthen cooperation between the two groups. At the meeting, a Memorandum of Intent was signed. Read the full article . . .

This (not so) Little Piggy Goes to Dallas

The Energy Hog does some editing . . . The Energy Hog and three of his sinister, energy-wasting ‘hogs-in-training’ were in Dallas, TX this month putting the finishing touches on a brand new series of public service announcements (PSA) due to hit the airwaves in June. The humorous new television and radio PSAs are aimed at children and will be the second major release of Energy Hog campaign materials this year following billboard and print ads released in March. For more information regarding the campaign and to explore energy-saving facts and tips, see the helpful and fun website: www.energyhog.org.

Greening the Computer Grid

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Logo Lately, in the world of heavy computing the buzzword isn’t processor power – it's electricity and efficiency. Energy consumption and cooling capacity have steadily become something of a pandemic in the information technology industry and the effects are being felt everywhere – from hospitals in Pomona Valley to the giant data centers of Google and Yahoo. In fact, some estimates place total data center electricity costs at $3.3 billion annually, with the number of servers expected to grow by 50 percent over the next four years. Clearly this is an issue the industry is going to have to face. Read the full article . . .

Alliance LEED-ing the Way

U.S. Green Building Council Logo Soon the Alliance will have a new home. After more than ten years at the corner of 18th and M Street, NW, in the heart of our nation’s capitol, we have decided to relocate. Our new headquarters will be right around the block at 1850 M St., NW literally within a stones throw of the old offices. The move allows the Alliance to accommodate recent growth and gives us the opportunity to make significant improvements and renovations to the new 17,995 square foot interior space. Read the full article . . .

IRS Acknowledges Certification of More Hybrids for Tax Credits

As of now ten hybrid vehicles have been certified by the IRS and are eligible for tax credits under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The credits range from a high of $3150 for the Toyota Prius to a low of $1550 for the Lexus GS 450h. The Alliance website now contains a complete list of hybrids and their approved tax credits.

Schwarzenegger Christens New Energy Center

Picture of Gov. Schwarzenegger Gov. Schwarzenegger was on hand to celebrate the launch of a new center dedicated to excellence in energy efficiency. The new UC-Davis Energy Efficiency Center will gather leading academics, businesses and investors to develop and usher innovative technology directly to the marketplace. “This center is the first of its kind in the country to focus solely on energy efficiency and perhaps more importantly, to focus on moving energy-efficiency technology from the lab to the marketplace,” said Andrew Hargadon, the new Director of the Center.

Financially, UC-Davis plans to match the $1 million leadership grant from the California Clean Energy Fund and PG&E pledged an additional $500,000 over five years for critical start-up needs. The public-private partnership already has 32 faculty members from 11 UC-Davis departments signed on with plans to recruit 12 more in the next few years.

Watergy Workshops in South Africa

Picture of Capetown, South Africa On March 17th and March 28th, the Alliance to Save Energy and REEEP hosted a pair of workshops in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, respectively, to discuss models for financing projects that reduce water and energy waste in municipalities. The workshops presented case studies of several Watergy projects which apply technical, financial and policy solutions to increase the efficiency of water delivery. Presenters demonstrated the advantages of leak repair, pressure management, and conventional and prepaid metering options for cutting water wastage, saving energy, and reducing carbon emissions. Attendees of the workshops included engineers, consultants, financing institutions, representatives from federal and municipal government, as well as the private sector. The Alliance would like to thank USAID, REEEP, Coca-Cola and two local municipalities for funding South Africa Watergy efforts. Presentations are available from the Watergy website.

There’s a Bettah Way

Plug-In Partners Logo These days it seems everyone is looking for solutions to high gasoline prices. There’s the Live Green Go Yellow ethanol campaign, Kermit the Frog singing about hybrids, and more and more city buses are advertising that they run on natural gas or are diesel hybrids! In the world of alternative fuel and transportation technology, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) seemed to be getting the short shrift. A new 90-second online movie from the California Cars Initiative and Free Range Studios, recent statements by President Bush, and the continuing efforts of the Plug-In Partners campaign appears to be increasing public awareness and consumer demand for PHEVs.

Alliance Webcast to Reveal “What Your Management Needs to Know” About Energy Cost Control

Join the Alliance’s Director of Industrial Programs, Christopher Russell, at 2 p.m. EST Thursday, June 29th for a live webcast. This 90-minute event is intended for industrial corporate directors and other organizational members responsible for energy cost control. In this broadcast, the Alliance shares its research of business strategies for energy management, each of which poses a different trade-off in terms of risk, time, and money. Guest speakers include Andrew Goldstone, who will describe industrial energy management activities at Hoffman Roche, and Norm Ziemer, who leads similar efforts for Excela, a major healthcare provider. A $295 fee will apply per viewing site. More details are forthcoming. Contact: Christopher Russell.

Ready, Set, Debate

Online registration is now open for the third annual Great Energy Efficiency Debate. Come to Capitol Hill May 23rd and join over 400 stakeholders and an impressive lineup of speakers for a presidential-style debate to discuss energy-efficiency issues, products and practices. Speakers for this year’s event will include Alliance Chairman Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Congressman Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.), Andy Karsner, DOE’s Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, and others. There is no charge for attending; however, space will be limited so sign up today.

Around the Alliance

The Alliance has always been in a league of its own in the realm of energy efficiency. This summer staff members will take to the field as the Alliance “Killer Watts” in a newly formed softball league. Watch for updates as we ‘efficiently’ dispatch opponents from the NRDC, National Wildlife Federation, and others this summer.

Once again the Alliance is participating in the area’s annual Bike-to-Work Day . The event will take place May 19th when thousands of cyclists converge on Washington’s Freedom Plaza to celebrate the cleanest, healthiest, and most fun way to get to work.

The Alliance Education Team The Education Team proved last month that creativity, hard work and fun are not mutually exclusive. Team members from both Washington, DC and California spent April 11th at a retreat brainstorming about the past, present, and most importantly the future of Green Schools and Green Campus programs. And, deciding that students aren’t the only ones who should get the energy-efficiency message, the team also considered new activities focusing on consumers. They also proved that trampolines can definitely hold more than four people.

EE etc . . .

The Alliance is pleased to welcome the following new Associates this month:

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) and the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) hosted a launch party on May 10th for their new internet information gateway. REEGLE (www.reegle.info) is a joint effort that includes comprehensive information on renewable energy and energy efficiency and key industry participants.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: May 2006

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