Past Alliance Presentations

Energy Efficiency Policy in the Obama Administration
Kateri Callahan
President, Alliance to Save Energy

Brussels, Belgium
November 18, 2009

Coloring the Economy: A Challenge to go Beyond “Green”
Kateri Callahan
President, Alliance to Save Energy

Orlando, Florida
October 7, 2009

Alliance President, Kateri Callahan

Washington, DC
September 17, 2009

Brian T. Castelli
Executive Vice President, Programs

September 14, 2009
Copenhagen, Denmark

Cracking the Code: The Key to Energy Efficiency in Buildings
AlliancePresident, Kateri Callahan

Mexico City, Mexico
August 18, 2009

Alliance President, Kateri Callahan

Charlotte, NC
July 29, 2009

Where: Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Who: Alliance director of policy, Lowell Ungar
When: June 22, 2009

Where: Sofia, Bulgaria
Who: Alliance Ececutive Vice President, Programs and Development Brian Castelli
When: May 23, 2009

Where: U.S. Energy Association Offices, Washington, D.C.
Who: Alliance President, Kateri Callahan
When: May 12, 2009
Why: "The lack of access to clean energy in South Asia - and often energy in any form - makes life extraordinary difficult for women in the region," explains U.S. Energy Association Senior Program Coordinator Sarah Blanford. Because energy is at a premuium, the need for energy efficiency in the home is especially important to women in South Asia, the majority of whom are the primary caretakers of their home. Ms. Callahan's presentation focused on three areas in which energy efficiency can alleviate household energy consumption: the built environment, household appliances and consumer behavior. Once mastered, these strategies can be transfered to other members of the community as women assume leadership roles in education and public policy advocacy.

Where: Washington, DC
Who: Alliance President, Kateri Callahan
When: May 5, 2009
Why: Unleashing the power of energy efficiency requires cross-sector collaboration and partnerships strengthened by public and private sector members. Kateri Callahan's presentation to the Honeywell Global Building Solutions Team outlines opportunities for such partnerships with the Alliance, including communications campaigns, policy advocacy coalitions and teams, and market transformation intitiatives.

Where: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Who: Alliance President, Kateri Callahan
When: April 16-17, 2009
Why: In an increasingly globalized world, the need to maintain dialogue amongst neighboring countries is essential to regional prosperity. At the Fifth Summit of the Americas, leaders in the Americas - including President Obama - have gathered to discuss key issues such as climate and energy. Alliance President Kateri Callahan participated in the II Hemisphere Private Sector Forum, a pre-summit event focusing on sector-led prosperity in this region. Here, Callahan discussed best practices for stimulating energy efficiency projects that lead to greater economic security and economic prosperity through sustainable practices. Her presentation looks at the Alliance's host of Watergy programs in Mexico – energy and water development projects that have translated into substantial financial savings for communities in need.

Where: Beijing, China
Who: Alliance Executive Vice President Brian Castelli; Senior Program Manager, International Team Alexander Filippov; Program Manager, Buildings, Nils Peterman
When: March 27 – 29, 2009
Why: The IGEBC2009 is one of the premier buildings conferences held in China; this year five Chinese ministers made presentations in the opening plenary session. Brian Castelli presented at the IGEBC2009’s U.S. Technology Seminar, jointly organized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) in Beijing. The presentation focused on the policies and practical steps to achieve net zero energy building goals in the United States and the importance of such advanced buildings for China’s development. Brian Castelli also participated in a private meeting with U.S. DOE representatives and Vice Minister of Housing, Urban, and Rural Development Qui Baoxing. Vice Minister Qui stressed the need to accelerate the collaboration with the U.S. on energy efficiency issues related to construction and water sectors, and reaffirmed his interest in signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. on the creation of a Center of Excellence in Beijing (the latter project to be run by the Alliance for DOE). The Alliance, in concert with the U.S. DOE (a principal sponsor of IGEBC2009) and the FCS, organized their booth at the U.S. Pavilion of the Expo. In addition, Nils Peterman gave a presentation on the National Fenestration Rating Council’s Windows Collaborative Program in China, which focused on adopting labeling standards for windows.

Where: Washington, DC
Who: Alliance Executive Vice President of Programs and Development Brian Castelli
When: March 16, 2009
Why: Castelli’s presentation, titled Smart Grid and Achieving Efficient Energy Distribution, gives an overview of Smart Grid, which provides the opportunity to achieve energy efficiency on both sides of the meter, thereby allowing a utility to generate and transmit more efficiently while also allowing the consumer to respond directly to price signals. There are six main benefits to having a Smart Grid in place, in that it allows for: enhanced customer service; improved operational efficiency; enhanced demand response and load control; direct feedback to customers about their energy usage, which leads to improved customer behavior; stronger support of new utility business models; and better integration of intermittent renewable energy and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles into the overall electric system.

What: National Association of Counties’ (NACo) 2009 Legislative Conference
Where: Washington, DC
Who: Alliance Executive Vice President, Programs and Development Brian Castelli
When: March 7, 2009
Why: With new funds in the pipeline and a new administration at the helm, communities nationwide are looking for ways to align their strategies for development with the tone and tenor of Washington. In order to help counties better understand the new mechanisms for addressing their energy needs, Brian spoke to NACo’s Energy Subcommittee about the opportunities for clean energy activities in the 2009 American Recover and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). He outlined the main recipients of ARRA funding for energy efficiency (which include state energy offices and local governments), as well as how those funds will be allocated, how interested organizations should apply for those funds, and what activities are eligible for funding.

Where: Washington, DC
Who: Alliance President, Kateri Callahan
When: March 5, 2009
Why: Attended by Approximately 300 key White House and congressional policy makers and their staff, related think-tanks and science and technology-based academic organizations, this event was intended to provide a platform for key U.S. opinion leaders and technological experts to discuss global climate change and the preservation of the natural environment, and to inform key U.S. policy makers of the latest technologies for the realization of a low-carbon, energy-saving society. Kateri spoke on the panel, Conserving Energy through Policy, Technology and Lifestyle, describing the ways in which good policy, market transformation and smart consumer campaigns are necessary to nurture an energy-efficient lifestyle, and one that is aware of energy efficiency and conservation as a solution to global climate change.

Where: Dallas, Texas
Who: Alliance President, Kateri Callahan
When: March 2, 2009
Why: The 2009 American Recover and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) promises substantial funding for energy efficiency programs – to the tune of $26 billion – and many in the business of energy efficiency such as TAC are looking for ways to access its funding. In order to educate its employees and partners on the impact of the ARRA, TAC presented an educational webinar in which Callahan addressed the stimulus package, the Obama administration's impact on energy policies, and the role TAC can play in delivering energy related projects.

Where: Washington, DC
Who: Panel: among others, Alliance President, Kateri Callahan; Carlos Martin, Ph.D., Assistant Staff Vice President, National Home Builders Association; Andrew Goldberg, Senior Director of Federal Affairs, The American Institute of Architects; Dave Parker, President, American Gas Association
When: February 27, 2009
Why: The panel discussed how producing and consuming energy more efficiently is an integral component of a sound and comprehensive energy policy. However, many are not fully aware of what is already being done and what it takes to make even greater improvements. What steps are utilities, municipalities, and those who design and construct our buildings and homes taking to increase energy efficiency? What are the regulatory, legal, and economic impediments they face in achieving this goal?

Where: Las Vegas, NV
Who: Alliance President, Kateri Callahan
When: February 25-27, 2009
Why: There are many opportunities to interlace energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) in policy and the marketplace. In her presentation, Kateri discussed the historical partnership of EE and RE, from their pivotal role in the energy legislation of the past decade, to their essential support of many clean energy policies and programs undertaken by state and local authorities, utility companies and businesses. Given the ‘green’ tenor of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the partnership between EE and RE will only grow stronger, making these two clean fuels the building blocks of a green economy.

Session 2: APEC Peer Review on Energy Efficiency
Where: Tokyo, Japan
Who: Brian Castelli, Executive Vice President, Programs and Development
When: February 18-19, 2009
Why: Speaking to participants of the Asia Pacific Research Center's Peer Review on Energy Efficiency, Castelli offered a status update on energy efficiency in the U.S., and the ways that energy efficiency programs are financed, monitored and measured there. After briefing the audience on the history of energy legislation in the U.S., Castelli introduced them to the energy efficiency provisions of the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Where: Washington, DC
Who: Alliance President, Kateri Callahan
When: February 2, 2009
Why: Policy makers and others have come to understand the power of energy efficiency implementation as an economic development tool and stimulus. The result is likely billions in clean energy investments by the federal government that will be utilized by state and local governments, non-profit energy organizations, and others. In her presentation, Kateri focused on the efforts of the Alliance to Save Energy and others to grow energy efficiency implementation programs – buildings, products, and services – and deliver greater economic vitality to the nation.

Where: Los Angeles, Calif.
Who: Alliance President, Kateri Callahan
When: January 14, 2009
Why: Attended by media, diplomats, academics, business and regulatory leaders, Australia Week forum, Facing Our Future the Challenge of Water and Energy, looks at the growing importance and value of water both as a consumable resource essential to sustained life and as a renewable energy source. At this event, Callahan moderated the panel, Energy Generation and Renewable Energy, during which leaders from the private, public and academic sectors discussed the imperative shift toward clean energy, and the ways to make this happen at a global level.

Where: Baltimore, MD
Who: Alliance Executive Vice President, Programs and Development Brian Castelli
When: December 10 & 11, 2008
Why: The 2009 American Recover and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) promises substantial funding for energy efficiency programs – to the tune of $26 billion – and many in the business of energy efficiency such as TAC are looking for ways to access its funding. In order to educate its employees and partners on the impact of the ARRA, TAC presented an educational webinar in which Callahan addressed the stimulus package, the Obama administration's impact on energy policies, and the role TAC can play in delivering energy related projects.

Where: Poznan, Poland
When: December 7, 2008
Why: Buildings are responsible for 40% of global energy consumption, and represent a huge GHG emissions reduction potential. A significant part of the emission savings can follow relatively quickly from identifying and implementing energy efficiency measures. Yet this is not always such a straightforward area for public and private action. How can we move faster from talking to acting, and unlock this enormous emissions savings potential?

Where: Golden, Colo.
When:  December 1 – 2, 2008
Why: This trip marked the first gathering of Rep. Steve Israel’s Energy Cabinet. Participants received a tour of the facilities, in which the Department of Energy conducts research and development of renewable fuels and electricity.

Where: Boston, Ma.
When: November 19, 2008
Why: According to the Energy Information Administration, the carbon dioxide emissions of the U.S. building sector are almost equal to the total CO2 emissions of India and Japan combined.

Where: Tokyo, Japan
When: November 17, 2008
Why: There are efforts in the U.S. to promote a new, low-carbon society. How is this happening, and what other efforts are needed to change lifestyles in U.S.?

Where: Carlsbad, Calif.
When: November 14, 2008
Why: More than 40 leaders in industry, finance, research, and policy convened at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, Calif., to discuss critical issues and opportunities for the HVAC&R industry, including climate change, energy efficiency, refrigerants and pending federal legislation.

CSIS Event, October, 22, 2008 – As part of its series of discussions on energy and national security, the Center for Strategic and International Studies held a panel discussion on the role of energy efficiency in climate legislation. Joe Loper, Senior Vice President for Policy and Research at the Alliance to Save Energy, led off the discussion with an overview of the opportunities and challenges of using energy efficiency to reduce the cost of compliance with federal climate legislation.

On October 8, Executive VP of Programs and Development Brian Castelli addressed attendants of the Plumbing Manufactures Institute at their 2008 Fall Meeting in Arlington, Va.

With the theme, “Visions for Sustainability and Climate Change”, the conference was attended by over 500 international energy industry professionals keen to learn more about carbon reduction and sustainable business practices.

It’s a hot topic with questions soon to be answered in the post-election fall-out: What is the energy outlook for the next Administration and Congress? Can we expect another monumental energy act to continue the deeds of EISA 2007? When will we see substantial growth in the ‘green collar’ workforce? What role will technology play in new energy policies? And – important to the Alliance to Save Energy and its allies – how and when will the government ‘ramp up’ its energy efficiency programs, which currently receive only about $3-4 billion a year?

On Sept. 15, 2008, Alliance Executive Vice-President Brian Castelli participated in a panel discussion about energy options for Ukraine, hosted by the Washington Group, in conjunction with the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, and the Ukrainian American Environmental Association.

Watch video from the event

July 16-17 You can’t get much farther from Washington, DC, than Seattle, Washington, geographically speaking. Yet when it comes to environmental initiatives, Washington-to-the-West is making some bold moves.

On Monday July 14, Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan and 19 other national thought-leaders in business, community development, the arts and the environment convened at Wolf Trap’s National Summit on the Arts and Environment to discuss environmental initiatives and policies within the arts.

During the day-long event, participants addressed the environmental responsibilities of artists and art organization, as well as opportunities for cross-sector collaboration benefiting the environment.

The results of the summit are available on the Wolf Trap website.

In June I attended and presented at two events in Colorado, where I encountered some thought-provoking debates and inspiring developments in the realm of energy efficiency.

On Tuesday I had the opportunity to speak at a truly unique event called the Virtual Energy Forum (VEF). A two day online-only event, VEF focused on how leading companies and institutions can adopt better energy management practices to cut cost, while at the same time adopting clean energy alternatives. Featured speakers presented alternative energy technologies, policies, and best practices in a live, interactive environment.

On June 3rd, Brian Castelli sat on a distinguished panel of energy leaders at the Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (MACRUC) annual conference. The plenary session panel was entitled “Climate Change” and addressed the many challenges the utilities, regulators, and financial communities will face as they respond to limits on carbon dioxide emissions. On June 5th, Brian also served on a panel at the Wharton Club of Washington, DC’s “Green Business Summit; Adapt – Innovate – Transform”.

On May 7th Alliance President Kateri Callahan, as part of a distinguished panel including Nobel Prize winner Mario J. Molina; former EPA Administrator Bill Reilly; European Climate Foundation CEO Jules Kortenhorst; and J. Rachel Shimshak, Director of the Renewable Northwest Project, delivered a presentation at the Council on Foundations conference session entitled: Getting Serious About Climate Change: A Guide for Foundations.