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

Industry Leaders Interview: Dr. Steven Specker

Dr. Steven Specker is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), in Palo Alto, California. This month he speaks with e-FFICIENCY NEWS about the future of energy efficiency in the electricity industry, EPRI’s unique approach to increasing end-use energy efficiency and the way his company wants to transform the entire electric infrastructure.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: Prior to taking over at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) you spent 30 years at GE with responsibilities spanning everything from electric meters to nuclear energy. So it would be something of an understatement to say you know electricity. If you would, briefly outline the future challenges that face the electric industry with respect to energy efficiency.

SPECKER: A number of strategic challenges face the electricity industry: increasing electricity prices, steady growth in electricity demand, effective management of greenhouse gas emissions, pressures to control consumer energy costs, and a strong policy drive to increase energy independence. The benefit of energy efficiency is that it can address these issues simultaneously. As a result, energy efficiency is being explored today with a new sense of urgency by policymakers and industry leaders alike. We recognize that energy efficiency offers cost-effective alternatives to adding new capacity, but we also recognize that the historic programmatic approaches to end-use energy efficiency have only scratched-the-surface of what’s possible. Read the Full Interview . . .

President Names Rosenfeld for Top Science Award

President Bush has named Arthur Rosenfeld as the winner of the 2005 Enrico Fermi Award, the government’s oldest award for scientific achievement. Rosenfeld, currently a commissioner at the California Energy Commission, is being recognized for his pioneering work in the field of energy efficiency. It was Rosenfeld who founded the program that eventually became the Center for Building Science at DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. And it was the Center which was chiefly responsible for the development of energy-efficiency technologies such as electronic ballasts for fluorescent lighting and low-emissivity windows – improvements which are estimated to have saved the U.S. over $30 billion since their introduction. The Award will be bestowed by Energy Secretary Bodman on June 21, 2006. Stay tuned. e-FFICIENCY NEWS will run a special Industry Leader interview with Mr. Rosenfeld in the July issue.

States Sue EPA

EPA Logo Ten states, including California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, have sued the EPA for refusing to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. The suit alleges that the EPA has failed to enforce requirements to ensure public health as mandated by the Clean Air Act. A similar suit was dismissed last year and is currently under appeal. Attorneys close to the case claim it focuses on the EPA’s authority to regulate carbon dioxide as a major pollutant, something that will undoubtedly remain a central question of any discussion on global warming.

Plug-In Hybrid Debuts on Capitol Hill

Senator Bingaman in a Plug-in Prius If you happened to be in Washington, DC last month you might have seen a strange sight – Senators and Congressmen gathered around and even taking turns driving a pair of very normal looking automobiles that manage to do something extraordinary. The two, modified Toyota Prius vehicles are capable of driving 20-25 miles on a single battery charge without the use of gasoline, the equivalent of over 100 miles per gallon in standard fuel economy.

This new generation of car called plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) made its first appearance in the nation’s capital May 16-17 as part of an event sponsored by CalCars, Set America Free, and the Plug-in Hybrid Consortium. The event also coincided with a meeting by the House Science Subcommittee on Energy to review progress on legislation that would advance PHEV battery research and further develop demonstration fleet vehicles.

Take the Energy Hog Challenge

The Ad Council’s popular supervillain, the Energy Hog, has announced new and improved, student and teacher guides. 50,000 of the guides are available for teachers nationally who want to educate their students about the benefits of saving energy. The redesigned resource contains a fun set of classroom activities and lessons that teaches kids where energy comes from, how we use (and waste) it, and why it is important to save energy whenever possible. Interested parties can download materials at the Energy Hog website.

The Energy Hog received additional exposure recently at the 2006 National Association of Broadcasters conference in Las Vegas. Upwards of 400 attendees visited the booth featuring the Energy Hog. Over 100,000 people from around the world attend the conference annually.

The End of Insight: Honda Cancels Hybrid

Honda Insight Honda has announced it will discontinue production of its ultra fuel-efficient Insight hybrid in September 2006. The Insight was the first mass-produced hybrid sold in the United States, and after seven years on the market becomes the first hybrid to be cancelled. Honda cited slow sales (just 666 vehicles in 2005) for the decision and announced plans to offer both a clean diesel and all-new, small dedicated hybrid in the near future. In a related note, GM announced it will halt production on its original, 10 mpg, $100+K, Hummer.

Extending Efficiency Tax Provisions

Senator Jeff Bingaman (D – N.M.) has introduced a bill that would extend and expand the energy efficiency tax provisions included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The “Enhanced Energy Security Tax Incentives Act” (S. 2748) proposes a three year extension of the commercial building tax deduction until 2010; extends the energy-efficient homes credit through 2010; and expands consumer incentives to purchase hybrid vehicles by removing per manufacturer caps, providing additional incentives to manufacturers of advanced technology vehicles and private fleet purchases, among other important provisions.

Clean Air Report Highlights Transportation Solutions

SmartWay Logo A report recently released by the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals (NALGEP) focuses on more than 30 unique strategies local governments can adopt to improve air quality. Approaches featured in the report – “Clean Communities on the Move” – include taking advantage of initiatives such as EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership, investing in green fleets, expanding public transit, and applying for emissions credits. Full report.

Honda Vehicles Get Certified

Seven Honda hybrid vehicles have been certified by the IRS as eligible for tax credits under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This new announcement by the IRS brings the total number of certified models to 17. Registrations for new hybrid vehicles approached nearly 200,000 in the United States in 2005. Quarterly reports from the IRS indicate Toyota and Lexus sold over 41,000 qualifying hybrid vehicles to retail dealers in the first quarter of 2006, while Ford and Mercury sold approximately 6,200. While the numbers of hybrids continue to grow, currently they represent slightly more than 1% of all vehicles on US highways. For more information on available hybrid tax credits visit the Alliance website.

India Efficiency Workshop a Success

On April 27th, the Alliance held a one day workshop in Delhi, India to review and solicit comments for its Manual for the Development of Municipal Energy Efficiency Projects. Over 40 individuals, including Indian Administrative Service (I.A.S) officers, representatives from state governments, municipalities, ESCOs and other financial institutions participated and supplied feedback. The manual, supported in part by the International Finance Corporation, will be finalized in June and serve as a step by step guide for anyone interested in the development, financing and/or implementation of a municipal energy-efficiency project using a performance contract.

Saving Energy and School Budgets

Greenschools Logo On June 1 the Alliance to Save Energy and the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) recognized the achievements of seven HCPSS schools that participated in the Alliance’s 2005-06 Green Schools Program. Several students and teachers won awards for their submittals to the “Watts Up?” contest, which encouraged HCPSS students to create projects with a positive, peer-to-peer message about energy efficiency and conservation.

Earlier in the year, students from Clarksville Middle School got wind that the Howard County Council might revoke monies budgeted for renovation of their school. They decided to make a presentation to the council about the importance of energy efficiency and the need for the renovation. In an exciting victory, the council decided to restore $3 million to the school system’s capital budget for the renovation.

Send in Your SmartWay Award Nominations

The EPA is currently accepting nominations for SmartWay’s first annual Excellence Awards. The awards will recognize companies and organizations that have made significant contributions to protecting the environment by achieving measurable fuel savings and emissions reductions through their participation in the SmartWay program. The deadline for nominations is June 30th. Winners will be announced in October. All SmartWay partners are eligible for consideration.

Around the Alliance

An update on the Alliance summer softball team: Going into Memorial Day weekend, “The Killer Watts” stood at 4-1, eking out late inning victories against such stalwarts as the League of Conservation Voters, NRDC, and the Environmental Law Institute/American Rivers. After a rocky start, “The Killer Watts” comfortably enjoy their well deserved first place standing.

Alliance staff in their bike-to-work gear! For the second consecutive year, Alliance staff joined thousands of DC-area commuters in the WABA’s annual Bike to Work Day. Eight members, including Alliance President Kateri Callahan, suited up for the day of cycling – further proving we practice what we preach as the world’s premier energy-efficient organization.

EE etc . . .

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

The 2nd Edition of China International Energy Exposition will be held in Beijing, China, November 7-10, 2006. This international energy forum will gather government officials, professional associations, energy companies, as well as participants from scientific research institutions, trading agencies and public communities.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has redesigned their website. The new site features easier navigation and improved services for individuals interested in LEED certification, green buildings, workshops, membership and more.

Winners have been announced for the 2006 Tour de Sol, held May 10-14 in Saratoga Springs, NY. Now in its 18th year, the event showcases high-tech, environmentally friendly vehicles and is considered the #1 green car show and competition in America.

Save the date, October 26-27, for the 2nd biennial Summit on Emerging Technologies in Energy Efficiency organized by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The Summit will highlight state and local policy, discuss the latest innovations in energy-efficient technologies and practices, and investigate options for financing technology development and commercialization.

The 17th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum: “The Path Toward Independence” will take place June 13-14 in Washington, DC. The event is designed to raise awareness about energy efficiency in the Federal Government and encourage the development of a national energy-efficiency ethic.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: June 2006

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