The Alliance to Save Energy (the Alliance) and Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) cohosted the most recent Energy 2030 On the Road campaign stop in New York City today. The event series has been travelling across the country to engage state and local stakeholders in policy discussions centered on what actions are needed to reach the goal of doubling U.S. energy productivity by the year 2030.

For the past few weeks, New York City has been attracting significant attention from the energy world. On September 20, more than 400,000 people attended the People’s Climate March, and just a few days later, world leaders gathered at the UN in New York to discuss strategies for reducing emissions across the globe.

With heightened awareness on the effects of energy use, today’s Energy 2030 event focused greater attention on the importance of energy productivity. "Considering 2% of New York City's buildings account for 50% of citywide energy use, local policymakers' efforts to increase the efficiency of the built environment has a significant impact. Their work is reducing emissions in the Big Apple and bringing us closer to the goal of doubling our nation's energy productivity. We're fortunate to have the opportunity to engage with stakeholders in this forward-thinking, influential city," said Kateri Callahan, president of Alliance to Save Energy.

Keynote speaker George Pataki, now with Chadbourne and Parke and Chairman of the Pataki-Cahill Group, helped promote efficiency while serving as Governor of New York. "Having worked in both the government and the private sector, I appreciate how the Energy 2030 On the Road campaign brings together stakeholders from these groups in order to achieve this important goal. It’s the all-inclusive, all-hands-on-deck approach that sets this campaign apart," said Governor George Pataki.

Other speakers at the event included Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY), President of NYPA Gil C. Quinones, President of New York Green Bank Alfred Griffin and many others. Panelists and speakers discussed actionable strategies for investing in efficiency, modernizing infrastructure and educating lawmakers and consumers on the importance of energy productivity.

Sue Coakley, executive director of NEEP, said, "The conversations from the event today will help promote important efficiency policies and will spur necessary action from local businesses, non-profits, policymakers and more. With this level of engagement in New York and beyond, I am confident in our ability to reach the Energy 2030 goal."

The success of today's event would not have been possible without the support of the Alliance Associates that sponsored the event: Copper Development Association, Danfoss, Ingersoll Rand, Lime Energy, National Association of Water Companies and National Grid.