e-FFICIENCY NEWS: July 2006

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

Industry Leaders Interview: Dr. Arthur Rosenfeld

Arthur Rosenfeld Dr. Arthur “Art” Rosenfeld was recently awarded the Enrico Fermi Award for a lifetime of achievements in science, technology, and public policy for energy conservation and energy efficiency. He was an early leader in the movement to make the United States more energy efficient and pioneered numerous processes and technologies that have yielded billions of dollars in annual savings. e-FFICIENCY NEWS was thankful for the opportunity to discuss Dr. Rosenfeld’s extensive career, his thoughts about the current energy climate and his receipt of the Enrico Fermi Award.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: As a lifetime scientist and former student of Professor Fermi, how much does it mean to you to receive the Enrico Fermi Award?

ROSENFELD: Personally, I’m honored and incredulous. I worked with Professor Fermi for six years, both as a teacher’s assistant and then as a grad student. I was around when this special award was presented to him in 1954, even before it was named the Fermi Award. I was also around in 1987 when it was presented to Luis Alvarez, who had, for over 30 years, been my second boss and mentor. I’m privileged even to be included on the list of distinguished Award recipients, among them many of the giants of U.S. physics. Read the Full Interview . . .

Western Governors Adopt Energy Efficiency Resolution

Western Governors Association Logo The Western Governors’ Association (WGA) is moving forward to adopt a range of policies promoting clean and diversified energy resources, energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gases. On the first day of their annual meeting in Sedona, AZ, the governors adopted a policy resolution based on recommendations in the recently released report, Clean Energy, a Strong Economy and a Healthy Environment. The report, developed by more than 250 stakeholders over the past 18 months, provides 38 recommendations including energy-efficiency tax credits; incentives for and promotion of aggressive building codes; promotion of best practices in industrial energy efficiency and combined heat and power; improved national appliance standards; and funding for state energy-efficiency programs. The WGA is confident it can meet or exceed goals to develop 30,000 megawatts of clean energy by 2015, increase energy efficiency 20 percent by 2020, and ensure secure, reliable transmission of electricity for the next 25 years.

Home Weatherization Gets a Boost

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced this month it will provide $96.4 million in weatherization grants to 19 states to be used for energy-efficiency improvements in low-income households. According to the DOE, weatherization can reduce an average home’s energy costs by $358 annually. Typical services include adding insulation, reducing air infiltration, and servicing heating and cooling systems. Total weatherization funding for FY 2006 is $243 million, which will provide weatherization to approximately 97,000 homes.

ENERGY STARY Awareness Continues to Grow

Energy Star logo The Environmental Protection Agency recently released results of its latest ENERGY STAR consumer awareness survey. The survey, sponsored and conducted by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency, seeks to measure consumer recognition and understanding of the ENERGY STAR label and its messages as well as any level of purchasing influence the label might have. Results of the survey show recognition as well as understanding of the label continues to grow, but are significantly stronger in areas where publicly funded energy-efficiency programs and ENERGY STAR partners provide higher exposure levels and support for the label.

DOE Predicts Increased World Energy Demand

name Global energy consumption is expected to grow by 71 percent between 2003 and 2030, according to a report issued by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The most rapid growth is projected for nations outside the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Energy demand growth averages 3.7 percent per year for non-OECD Asia, which includes China and India, 2.8 percent per year for Central and South America, 2.6 percent per year for Africa, and 2.4 percent per year for the Middle East. By contrast, total primary energy consumption in the U.S., including energy for electricity generation, will grow by 1.1 percent per year.

Colorado Energy Office Offers Green Building Guide

Rebuild Colorado logo The Colorado Governor’s Office of Energy Management and Conservation has announced the release of a new guide to help building owners and design teams build better, more energy-efficient buildings. The 100-page free guide is geared toward individuals interested in LEED certification for major renovations and new construction. It combines real-life examples including photos of completed projects with a wealth of reference materials and advice from building owners, architects, contractors and LEED consultants.

New Climate Bill Highlights Efficiency

Is Congress finally getting serious about tackling global warming? On June 12, Rep. Henry Waxman (D – Calif.) and 12 cosponsors introduced the Safe Climate Act of 2006 (H.R. 5642). The bill proposes national greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets, stringent emission standards for motor vehicles, and a market-based GHG cap and trade system. It also establishes a national Renewable Portfolio Standard requiring 20 percent of retail electricity generation to come from renewable sources by 2020 and an energy-efficiency standard that sets annual gas and electric utility savings targets.

Bank of America Offers Hybrid Incentives

Bank of America Logo Bank of America recently announced a hybrid vehicle pilot program for 21,000 employees in Boston, Los Angeles and Charlotte. The company will offer a $3,000 cash incentive to any employee who purchases a hybrid car and lives within 90 miles of these three cities. The Bank of America rebate matches current federal tax credits for hybrid vehicles.

Maine Passes Energy Efficiency Disclosure Law

Picture of Maine Flag The Maine Legislature has passed a law – P.L. 2005 chapter 534 – that establishes mandatory energy-efficiency disclosure criteria for residential property owners. Starting September 1st, each landlord will have to provide a completed disclosure form to all tenants to help individuals gauge the amount of energy a property consumes. The form lists attributes of the property that effect overall energy use and energy efficiency such as insulation, windows, the heating system, and appliances.

Industrial Energy Efficiency Resources Now Available Online

Picture of Heat Recovery The Alliance is releasing four new reports describing the challenges and opportunities for industrial energy efficiency. World-Class Energy Assessments presents best practice recommendations from industry professionals for conducting energy assessments in industrial facilities. Executive Reactions to Energy Efficiency provides lessons-learned from programs that promote the strategic value of energy efficiency to corporate observers. Survey of Steam Workshop Attendees describes follow-up activities undertaken by individuals who have attended the Alliance’s BestPractices Steam workshops. Finally, the Executives for Energy Efficiency Final Report recaps the experience of a pilot program that promoted energy efficiency in New York State. For more information on these reports contact Chris Russell. The full suite of the Alliance resources for industrial energy efficiency is located at ase.org/industry

EE etc . . .

Plug-In Partners Logo The City of Chicago has joined Plug In Partners with a ‘soft’ order for 850 plug-in hybrid vehicles. With this effort by Mayor Richard Daley, the total number of committed fleet orders is now over 6,000. City, state and local governments as well as public power and investor-owned utilities continue to join the national campaign.