Today the Alliance to Save Energy (the Alliance) is shining a spotlight on the need for, and benefits of, energy efficiency by hosting two seminal events in the nation’s capital.  

This morning’s Energy 2030 Summit, sponsored by Schneider Electric and National Grid, set the stage for the Alliance’s new partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Council on Competitiveness, Accelerate Energy Productivity 2030, by discussing topics that are central to the partnership’s work in the coming year. The partnership, formally announced last week by Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, seeks to support President Obama’s goal of doubling U.S. energy productivity by 2030 by garnering endorsements of the goal and catalyzing action in the public and private sectors through a series of dialogues aimed at co-creating a road map for doubling U.S. energy productivity. 

Today’s Energy 2030 Summit speakers, including Rep. Horsford (D-NV), NYSERDA President John Rhodes and DOE Director of Public Affairs Heidi VanGenderen, discussed the importance of doubling U.S. energy productivity and the tools needed to achieve this ambitious, yet attainable, goal. Topics focused on driving productivity at the state and local levels, including examining the role of utilities, public-private partnerships and the federal government to ensure success at the sub-national level.

“The Accelerate Energy Productivity 2030 partnership and the Energy 2030 Summit are catalyzing important conversations that will continue amongst policymakers and other stakeholders across the country. It is through the dialogue and intersection of local, state and federal policies that we can and will achieve the goal of doubling our nation’s energy productivity,” said Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan.

As an appropriate culmination of an exciting day in the efficiency community, the Alliance is hosting the 22^nd Annual Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards Dinner tonight in honor of energy efficiency’s most industrious advocates of 2014.

Previously announced award winners include MGM Resorts International, Nest Labs, Inc., National Housing Trust and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Additionally, Elon Musk from Tesla Motors will receive the Chairman’s Award from Alliance Honorary Chair Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) in recognition of his innovative products and designs at Tesla, SpaceX and SolarCity that are leading to a more sustainable energy economy.

“I am privileged to have been selected by Senator Warner to receive the Chairman’s Award this year. I hope that our work at Tesla inspires other innovators and companies to create products that support a sustainable future,” said Elon Musk, CEO and product architect of Tesla Motors.

EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy is being honored with the Charles H. Percy Award for Public Service for her unwavering commitment to energy efficiency and the recent announcement of the proposed Clean Power Plan, which has the potential to transform the energy efficiency market.

“EPA’s Clean Power Plan will reduce harmful carbon pollution that’s fueling climate change and will protect our health and environment while encouraging economic growth and keeping energy affordable and reliable,” said Administrator Gina McCarthy. “It is an honor to receive the Alliance to Save Energy’s Charles H. Percy Award for Public Service and I’m proud to continue our important work to combat climate change, increase energy efficiency and reduce environmental health problems.”

And lastly, the Olympic Movement is the recipient of the I-Star of Energy Efficiency Award for its ongoing efforts to manage the carbon footprint associated with hosting and organizing the Olympic Games. More recently, Host Cities are partnering with industry-leaders to adopt low carbon and energy-efficient technologies that mitigate the Games’ footprint while creating long-lasting legacies for their countries.

“The Olympic Movement has been working to ensure that the Games’ host cities are equipped to adopt energy-efficient, low carbon technologies. Dow has been a proud partner in this effort and we look forward to leveraging our knowledge from past successes toward future Olympic Games,” said Director of Branding & Communications for The Dow Chemical Company Olympic Operations, Dean Palmieri.