Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) was elected to serve as Honorary Chair of the Alliance to Save Energy by its Board of Directors at the first quarter 2015 meeting.  Senator Shaheen succeeds Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) who served as the Alliance Chair from 2008 through the end of 2014.  Senator Warner will remain as an Honorary Alliance Board member.

In addition to Shaheen’s election, the Alliance Board elected Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) as Honorary First Vice-Chairs. Finally, the Board installed Susan Story, CEO of American Water, as a fiduciary member.

Alliance President Kateri Callahan congratulated the newly elected leaders, saying, “The Alliance is very fortunate to be led by policy makers and business leaders who are tireless champions of energy efficiency and who work hard — on a bipartisan basis — to deploy energy efficiency as a means of improving the economy, creating jobs and enhancing the environment.” 

“It has been an honor to have the Alliance to Save Energy supporting my energy agenda here in the Senate and I’m excited to reprise my role in the Alliance’s leadership,” Shaheen said. “For years I’ve fought for smart energy policies that are good for consumers and our economy, and I know that with the Alliance's strong support, Congress will finally pass my energy efficiency bill to create jobs, lower pollution, and save consumers and taxpayers money.”

Alliance Industry Co-Chair Jorge Carrasco applauded Senator Warner for his accomplishments during his 5+ year tenure as Honorary Chair, saying, “Senator Warner’s lasting legacy is his creation and leadership of the Alliance’s National Commission on Energy Efficiency Policy, which articulated the goal of doubling U.S. energy productivity — a goal that has since been adopted by the President on behalf of the country and is guiding the Alliance’s policy work.” 

Upon stepping down, Senator Warner said “The work of the Alliance to Save Energy is critical to cutting energy waste and building a strong economy. While I am turning the leadership mantle over to the capable hands of Senator Shaheen, I will continue to support her efforts and those of the Alliance to advance energy efficiency because doing so is the right thing for our country’s energy future.” 

In announcing the new leadership roles for Coons and Portman, Callahan said, “Senators Coons and Portman have supported the Alliance’s mission in countless ways throughout their careers — from introducing and sponsoring key legislation to speaking at events to advocating for the importance of greater energy productivity. Their new roles as Honorary First Vice-Chairs recognize the leadership they have and will continue to give to the Alliance and its important mission.”

Susan Story, president and CEO of American Water, the largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company in the U.S. and a new Alliance Associate, has also been elected to serve on the Board of Directors. Story previously served on the Alliance Board while President of Southern Company Services. “I am thrilled to return to the Alliance to continue working with fellow Board members to identify and move forward policies and initiatives that can address the parallel challenges around water and energy use in this country,” said Story.

Jorge Carrasco congratulated Story on her election and said, “Susan Story is a true champion of energy efficiency and in her role as President of the country’s largest publicly traded water utility, she not only will lead by example, but can also use her knowledge to help us forge policies and programs that improve energy and water use.”

Visit the Alliance to Save Energy’s website to for the full list of Board members and to learn more about organization leadership.