Welcome to the Alliance to Save Energy's monthly newsletter e-FFICIENCY NEWS
Industry Leader Interview: Helen Burt, Pacific Gas and Electric
 Serving approximately 15 million people, Pacific Gas and Electric is one of the largest combination gas and electric utilities in the United States. e-FFICIENCY NEWS wanted to find out how a company whose primary commodity is energy can remain profitable by encouraging its customers to be more energy efficient. This month we spoke with Helen Burt, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for PG&E about efficiency programs, global warming and the possible electrification of the transportation sector.
Burt: My key focus is on our customers and the customer experience, as reflected by my title of Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. I’m developing and implementing customer-centric business strategies to create customer experiences that help define PG&E as a leading utility. In addition to that strategic focus, I am responsible for the overall management of PG&E’s Customer Service organization, including our business account services area, customer contact centers, credit operations, billing and customer records areas, and our customer energy efficiency and demand-response programs. Read the full interview.
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The Power is in Your Hands to Lower Energy Use
 With temperatures falling fast, it’s a good thing that the Alliance to Save Energy, the American Gas Association, The Dow Chemical Company and 29 other partners launched Phase 2 of the Power is in Your Hands campaign on November 15. This consumer-based, winter energy-efficiency campaign kicked off with a press event and energy-efficiency makeover of the home of a low income family in the Washington, DC area.
Visit the new and exciting interactive web site – www.6degreechallenge.com – that challenges individuals to be proactive on energy efficiency. Visitors to the site are shown six easy steps they can take to improve energy efficiency in their own lives and demonstrate their commitment to energy efficiency by pledging to take at least one of those steps, share their stories, and engage their friends, families, and colleagues by challenging them to do the same. For more information about the campaign, or to become a sponsor, contact Marcy Devaney
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Start your own Energy Diet
Andrew Postman, an author and regular contributor to both The New York Times and The Washington Post, felt guilty about his personal contribution to global warming. Unfortunately, Postman did not want to give up his big screen TV or go too far out of his way to do anything that would seriously change his habits or lifestyle. That’s when he got the idea to go on an energy diet. Read the full article.
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Breakfast with Senator Chambliss
 In October, the Alliance once again went on the road, hosting a breakfast in Atlanta, Georgia with Senator Saxby Chambliss (R – GA) through the generous support of Siemens Building Technologies. Sen. Chambliss spoke about the need for the U.S. to reduce its dependence on foreign sources of energy using a mix of renewables, supply and energy efficiency.
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A Century of Programmable Progress
 It’s hard to believe the highly efficient, energy-saving, programmable thermostat has been around for a hundred years. When Honeywell first unveiled this invention in 1906 Theodore Roosevelt was serving his second term as president. Corn flakes and the Model-T Ford also were introduced that year.
Known as the “Jewell”, the first programmable thermostat featured a built in clock that allowed users to turn down their heat at night and automatically have it adjust to a proscribed setting in the morning. Honeywell kept up with the times, adding an electric clock in the 1930s and the capacity to adjust both heating and cooling in the 1960s. Push button programming and the familiar rectangular look appeared on the scene in the 1980s alongside digital display screens.
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An Energy Hog Exclusive Interview
 With temperatures across the country slowly sliding downward and the winter heating season rapidly approaching, the infamous supervillian of energy inefficiency, the Energy Hog, has been busy touring the country doing his best (or worst) to educate audiences and raise awareness about the benefits of energy efficiency. We recently caught up with the barnstorming Energy Hog to ask him about his latest road show, the new TV public service announcement, and some tips to save on home energy bills. Read the full interview.
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Plug-Ins Future Tied to Better Batteries
A new report issued by the American Council for an Energy-fficient Economy (ACEEE) says plug-in hybrid vehicles have the potential to greatly reduce automobile oil consumption and curb harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The ACEEE report, “Plug-In Hybrids: An Environmental and Economic Outlook”, suggests that even a 20-mile electric range plug-in could reduce fuel use by about 1/3 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% relative to today’s hybrids. However, to achieve these results will require both cleaner power sources and significant advances in battery technology, primarily a move from the heavier and less efficient nickel-metal hydride batteries to lithium-ion.
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ASE Purchases Renewable Energy Credits for New Office Space
The Alliance and its design team worked diligently to include many energy-efficiency and environmentally friendly elements into its new office space. We also decided to purchase Renewable Energy Credits (aka Tradable Renewable Credits or Green Tags) equal to 100% of our estimated electricity consumption for the next two years. The Alliance selected Windcurrent to provide us with Green-e certified renewable energy credits. Read the full article.
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EPA Voluntary Programs Yield Results
The EPA’s 12 voluntary climate protection partnership programs play an important role in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute to climate change. Some of the highlights from the EPA’s recently released 2005 annual program report include the fact that Energy Star is helping American consumers save about $12 billion on their energy bills (or almost 4 percent of 2005 electricity demand), while avoiding emissions equal to 23 millions cars.
In addition, the Climate Leaders Program grew to 78 partners, and EPA and DOE joined with leading utilities, state regulators and more than 50 organizations to launch the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, an initiative designed to explore ways to encourage greater investment in energy efficiency by the utility sector.
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Yahoo! Green Car Ratings
 If you are looking to buy an environmentally friendly vehicle, Yahoo! Autos and Environmental Defense just made your job a lot easier. The two recently launched a web partnership that allows consumers to compare the major environmental costs of a vehicle including smog, emissions, fuel type and pollution derived from manufacturing. To access the Green Ratings go to the Yahoo! Green Center.
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EE etc . . .
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has issued special guidance for project contractors and designers on the commercial building tax incentives available under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The NEMA document provides sample language and examples for how the required IRS certification letter can be prepared.
The Florida Energy Office was recently awarded more than $220,000 from the Department of Energy to further energy conservation and efficiency measures throughout the state. With the grant, Florida will develop a building standards database that will allow designers and builders to access energy-saving building requirements and submit applications for approval. This most recent grant is part of a $6 million DOE effort to expand 22 federal-state partnerships in the built environment.
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Around the Alliance
In the aftermath of last year’s hurricanes, one of the often overlooked tragedies is the damage that was done to the New Orleans public library system. This summer the Alliance staged a book drive and collected over 300 hardback and paperback books which were then donated to the “Rebuild New Orleans Public Library” effort. For more information or donations see www.nutrias.org.
  October’s employee of the month award went to two outstanding individuals. In recognition of their hard work, commitment, dedication and volunteer efforts above and beyond the call of duty during the Alliance’s transition from its previous location to our new office space, we recognize Abir Trivedi and Natasha Ewell. Congratulations! We couldn’t have done it without you.
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