e-FFICIENCY NEWS: October 2007

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

Industry Leader Interview: Alan Kelly

Alan Kelly was the former Corporate Planning Manager at ExxonMobil, and Chairman of the National Petroleum Council (NPC) Study Coordinating Subcommittee. He has over a decade of experience in the oil and gas industry and recently helped oversee publication of the NPC's 400+ page assessment on the future of U.S. oil and natural gas supply. He joins us this month to discuss the history of the NPC, climate change and several hard truths the petroluem industry might be facing in coming years.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: What were some of the outcomes of the NPC report, and have you been surprised by the types of reactions from government agencies, the media and the oil and gas industry?

Kelly: The NPC found that total global demand for energy is projected to grow by 50 to 60 percent by 2030, driven by increasing population and the pursuit of improving living standards. At the same time, there are accumulating risks to the supply of reliable, affordable energy to meet this growth, including political hurdles, infrastructure requirements, and availability of a trained work force. We will need all economic, environmentally-responsible energy sources to assure adequate, reliable supply. Read the Full Interview

Baton Rouge, La. Family of Nine Wins SCI FI Channel Energy-Efficiency Home Makeover

Cathy Clites of Baton Rouge, La., and her three generational family of nine who are living under one roof, have been selected the winner of a major national contest for an energy-efficiency home makeover by NBC Universal's SCI FI Channel, the Alliance to Save Energy, and the Edison Electric Institute. SCI FI Channel announced the winner on air on its finale of Eureka, a series about a town of geniuses conducting energy and other experiments where the lead character lives in a smart house. More...

The Next Generation of Green Building

A green building pilot rating system launched jointly by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Congress for New Urbanism has signed 238 developments to participate and evaluate the new program. The LEED for Neighborhood Development initiative would be the first national certification system for sustainable neighborhood design and development, integrating smart growth, new urbanism and green building standards and principles. The program seeks to recognize projects that successfully protect and enhance overall health, the natural environment and quality of life for communities.

Efficiency, Business as Usual in California

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has issued a proposed decision extending the state's commitment to energy efficiency as the primary resource in meeting future energy demand and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The proposal establishes a new sustainable regulatory framework of incentives and penalties to encourage investor-owned utilities to exceed California's 2006-2008 energy savings goals. According to the CPUC, the proposed mechanisms would provide an estimated return to consumers of over 100 percent on their investments in energy efficiency. To view a summary of the proposed decision, access to the proposal or read additional information on energy efficiency in California, visit the CPUC website .

A New Consumer Weapon in the Fight to Save Energy

Consumers looking to improve their home energy performance while saving money and decreasing greenhouse gas emission now have a new and improved resource. The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings , published by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and New Society Publishers, contains a wealth of information on energy use, economics and the environment. Now in its 9th edition, the Consumer Guide offers tips for improving existing equipment and electronics, home ventilation, lighting, windows and more. The guide also includes information on government and utility incentives that can help consumers save even more while using less energy.

Mexico City Goes Verde

Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard is committed to cleaning up his city's notorious image as a gridlocked and polluted metropolis. As part of this effort, the mayor recently announced a five-year partnership to green Mexico City's sprawling transportation system. The commitment, signed in partnership with CTS-Mexico, the World Resources Institute and EMBARQ, will expand the megacity's two-year old Metrobus rapid transit system which already carries more than 260,000 passengers a day. The transportation partnership adds to Mayor Ebrard's "Plan Verde" (Green Plan) in which he has committed $550 million over the next 15 years to initiate a series of sustainable urban development projects that promote economic growth, preserve the environment and protect public health.

Reducing Industrial Energy Waste

While not making the front pages like other efforts to save energy, a number of new and existing industrial energy-efficiency initiatives at the Department of Energy (DOE) and other organizations plan to have a significant impact on reducing energy consumption in the manufacturing sector, which accounts for about one-third of the nation's annual energy consumption. These initiatives include the Superior Energy Performance partnership, DOE's successful Save Energy Now Program and a collaborative effort by the National Association of Manufacturers and other government entities to assist manufacturing facilities with the implementation of energy management programs. More

EPA's New State Climate Action Portal

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed an online matrix that tracks state and local actions and efforts aimed at addressing climate change. The EPA web portal
provides an overview of these efforts and links to state action plans that identify options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, current state and regional climate initiatives, as well as tools and resources for agencies to assess their greenhouse gas emissions, learn about emission-reduction opportunities and evaluate emission-reduction strategies.

Solid State Lighting Reports Released by DOE

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released its third set of solid-state lighting (SSL) test reports as part of its Commercially Available LED Product Evaluation and Reporting (CALiPER) Program. The CALiPER program provides product performance information on SSL products and acts as a guide for the development of standardized test procedures and measurements for solid state lighting technologies. The new reports cover task and desk lamps. Also available are benchmarking reports for downlight and undercabinet compact fluorescent lamps. Results are available for noncommercial, educational purposes only.

New Study Tracks Consumer Opinion and Energy Behavior

The 3rd annual nationwide Energy Pulse study is due to hit the streets October 8, 2007. This consumer report, provided by the Shelton Group, explores consumer attitudes towards conservation and energy efficiency. It also profiles U.S. households according to their perceptions on the importance of energy efficiency, current conservation activities, awareness of energy-efficient building practices, and general behavior on energy use. Among the report's key findings is a slight trend downward in consumers' overall desire to purchase energy-efficient homes and products.

Department of Energy’s TEAM Effort

The Department of Energy has launched a new initiative designed to reduce energy intensity 30 percent across all of its facilities. The Transformational Energy Action Management (TEAM) initiative requires DOE to have measures in place by 2008 to meet this goal which will include maximizing renewable energy projects, ramping up Alternative Fuel Vehicle programs, incorporating high performance and sustainable building practices in renovations, new construction, and 15 percent of existing buildings, as well as leveraging the use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts. Savings from this initiative could exceed $90 million per year.

EE, etc…

This month the Senate Energy Committee became the first on Capitol Hill to install a new energy-efficient and environmentally friendly 'smart' lighting management system. Part of a Senate-wide initiative, the Committee's efforts include more efficient bulbs, an energy cost and audit tracking mechanism and the ability to monitor its carbon footprint.

"Energy Efficiency ", a new quarterly journal published by Springer Science+Business Media and dedicated solely to energy efficiency policies, technologies, transportation, building, and industrial issues as well as other emerging areas, will launch in early 2008. Online submissions are now being accepted. For more information, visit the Springer website .

The Documentary Channel, in partnership with ENERGY STAR, the Alliance to Save Energy and the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, is now airing the documentary short called "emPOWERed". The film, narrated by Ashley Judd, is a window into the efforts of visionary individuals - a home-builder affected by hurricane Katrina, a school administrator in Oregon, an environmentally-conscious church minister - to reduce energy consumption and positively affect climate change one act at a time. The short will run continuously through December.

Upcoming Events

The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE), in conjunction with the renewable energy caucuses of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, and many other prominent organizations, is pleased to announce its annual national policy conference: Phase II of Renewable Energy in America - A Global Outlook taking place November 28-29, 2007 in the Cannon Caucus Room in Washington, DC.

Amidst growing concerns over climate change, the environment, energy security and diminishing oil reserves worldwide, the 2007 Athens Summit - The Challenge of Change - will convene October 14-16 to act as host to a wide variety of global points of view on sustainable energy solutions for the future.