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

Industry Leader Interview: Roland Risser

Roland Risser is the Director for Customer Energy Efficiency at Pacific Gas and Electric Company, one of the largest natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. PG&E, which has a 30 year history of administering energy-efficiency programs, recently calculated that for every dollar spent on energy efficiency, customers have saved $2 on their energy bills. Mr. Risser is responsible for managing PG&E’s energy efficiency, low income, and demand response programs, which have an annual budget of over $300 million per year. He joins us this month to discuss PG&E's energy-efficiency progress and goals, carbon offsets, and hybrid cars. Read the full interview…

Alliance Boosts Energy Efficiency in Low Income Housing

On Thursday, January 17, the U.S. House of Representatives defeated an amendment which would have eliminated green building requirements in the HOPE VI Reauthorization and Improvement bill. The legislation, aimed at revitalizing severely distressed public housing, included green design and energy-efficient practices that would create healthier environments for low income residents of HOPE VI developments. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 169-240 after a concerted lobbying effort by a diverse coalition of organizations including the Alliance to Save Energy. Following the defeat of the amendment, the House proceeded to approve the reauthorization bill. More details about the legislation and lobbying efforts...

Alliance President Speaks in the Middle East

Alliance president Kateri Callahan offered a keynote address on World Future Energy Policy and Strategy at the World Future Energy Summit held in Abu Dhabi on January 21-23. This carbon neutral event was organized under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The exhibition and high-level conference attracted ministers and leaders from regional and international governments, as well as the energy, finance, and education sectors. The gathering was designed to set the foundations for development of tangible alternative energy initiatives in the region.

European Parliament Backs Energy Efficiency as the Cornerstone for Climate Change Policy

A key committee of the European Parliament recently concluded that the most immediate and cost-effective means of achieving carbon emission reductions to curtail climate change in Europe is to use energy more efficiently. The Industry Committee of the European Parliament backed the European Commission’s proposed Action Plan for Energy Efficiency and the establishment of a Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund. The aim of the Action Plan is to improve energy efficiency within the EU by over 20% by 2020, while the fund is intended to promote private sector investment in renewable energy technologies. More about the EU action plan and priorities for energy efficiency...

Better Homes & Gardens Names Alliance President to Living Green Advisory Board

Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan is featured in the first few pages of the January issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine as one of four members of its newly-created “Living Green Advisory Board." With a huge 7.7 million circulation through subscriptions and single copy sales, the magazine was recently named the #1 magazine of 2007 by Advertising Age. Each month throughout 2008, Callahan and three other eco-leaders will provide simple and straightforward tips to help readers incorporate ecologically sensitive practices into their lives.

ASHRAE Commercial Building Insulation Requirement Upped by 33 Percent

The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has approved a 33 percent increase, from R-15 to R-20, in the minimum required roof, sidewall, and wall insulation for commercial and high-rise residential buildings covered by the Standard 90.1 national model energy code for commercial buildings. This is the first such increase in more than 19 years, according to Alliance Associate PIMA (Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association). In a PIMA news release, President Jared Blum noted: “The increased values establish a new national standard minimum against which all codes can be compared and pave the way for buildings with improved efficiency and decreased carbon footprint.” Read the PIMA news release...

Out of the Destruction, Kansas Town’s Green Rebirth

Greensburg, Kansas is the first city in the U.S. to pass a resolution to certify all city-owned buildings LEED Platinum. Following a May 4, 2007 tornado that destroyed 95 percent of the city, officials envisioned rebuilding an economic, social, and environmentally sustainable community. While the entire state of Kansas has six LEED certified buildings, ten commercial and public buildings in Greensburg have already committed to becoming LEED certified. LEED Platinum certification is the highest rating given by the LEED Green Building Rating System, a voluntary, consensus-based program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, developed by the US Green Building Council.

Proposed Regulations in Connecticut Support Energy Efficiency

In late December, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP) issued proposed regulations for the implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in Connecticut. The policies put forward would auction 91 percent of allowances, leaving 9 percent of allowances in set-aside accounts for clean or renewable energy initiatives. Approximately 69 percent of the funds raised by auction would be used to support energy-efficiency measures overseen by the Connecticut Energy Conservation Management Board. The proposed regulations are posted on the CT DEP website and a public hearing on the issue is set for February 8 in Hartford, CT.

And The Winners Are…

The Alliance to Save Energy invites companies, organization, and individuals to enter the 2008 Star of Energy Efficiency Awards competition. These prestigious awards, which honor those entities who have demonstrated a significant and tangible commitment to the cause of energy efficiency, will be presented September 25, 2008 at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC at the Alliance to Save Energy’s 16th Annual Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency Dinner. The application deadline is March 28, 2008. If your company/organization is interested in sponsoring the dinner, please contact Marcy Devaney.

Energy Hog Last Seen Headed to Washington, D.C. Auto Show

The Alliance to Save Energy’s Energy Hog was last spotted at the Washington, D.C. Auto Show with the apparent intention of distracting children and their parents from learning about new gas-saving vehicles featured at this year’s show. The Energy Hog visited with families January 23-27 in the Playland area of the Auto Show, at the Walter E Washington Convention Center. With the average household expected to spend more than $3,300 on gasoline in 2008, the Alliance provided show visitors with efficient driving tips, gas-saving facts, and other information to help families reduce gasoline usage.

Upcoming Events

How can retailers translate green initiatives into increased profitability? Attend ACI’s Green Retail Conference on February 20-21 in London to hear top industry experts discuss how to achieve real returns from investments in green initiatives across their operations, such as sourcing, packaging, and the supply chain.

According to the New York Times, carbon trading is estimated to grow from a $30 billion to $1 trillion industry in the next decade. Carbon Forum America 2008 is the first trade show conference to cover issues such as legislation, market place formulation and technology. Organized by the International Emissions Trading Association and Koelnmesse, CFA 2008 will be held at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California from February 26-27.

The Delaware Great Green Expo will be the first of its kind in Delaware highlighting local and regional businesses that offer green solutions and contribute to lessening pollution and waste in Delaware and surrounding areas. The event will be held on March 29, 2008 at the Chase Center on Wilmington’s Riverfront.

On April 8-9, over 250 sustainability professionals will gather in Chicago for the Corporate Climate Response – Sustainable Manufacturing Summit. Jim Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy, is opening the summit by talking about how manufacturers can grown their business while cutting carbon. ASE is participating in the summit and would like to offer you a 15% discount off registration or three delegate spots for the price of two. Simply quote “ASE discount” when registering at the Corporate Climate Response web site.

Until very recently climate protection and energy security have been viewed as largely contradictory or separate objectives. The Athens Summit on Climate Change and Energy Security will strive to overthrow this zero-sum mentality. The summit, held May 5-7 in Athens, Greece, will bring together government officials, corporate leaders, and academia.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: January 2008

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