Whirlpool, L.A. Metro, Lime Energy, PA's Keystone HELP, RGGI, and Singapore Also Honored With Alliance Awards

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus leads an impressive list of energy efficiency leaders who will be honored at the Alliance to Save Energy’s 2013 Stars of Energy Efficiency awards dinner on October 2, at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. 

The Star of Energy Efficiency awards are given to individuals, organizations, companies, learning institutions, and government programs that have demonstrated a significant and tangible commitment to the cause of energy efficiency both in the United States and abroad.

Secretary Mabus will receive the Chairman’s Award from Alliance Honorary Chair Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) for the secretary’s commitment to helping make the U.S. Navy a global leader in energy efficiency and helping to elevate the issue at the Pentagon.

This year’s other Stars of Energy Efficiency winners include:

• Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will receive the Charles H. Percy Award for Public Service for its investments to spur energy efficiency improvements for businesses and homes in 10 Northeastern states.
• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is awarded the Galaxy Star award for implementing a comprehensive sustainability plan which includes outstanding energy efficiency improvements in the Metro’s fleet and buildings.
• Lime Energy is the recipient of the Super Nova Star award for its Small Business Direct Install model which works with nine utilities in six states to help small businesses become more energy efficient.
• Keystone HELP is this year’s Andromeda Star award recipient for providing low-cost financing options to help Pennsylvania residents perform energy-saving ENERGY STAR improvements in their homes.
• The Building and Construction Authority of Singapore is receiving the International (I-Star) award for its commitment to help achieve a national target of greening at least 80% of the buildings in Singapore by 2030.
• Whirlpool Corporation is this year’s Innovative Star award recipient for introducing a new line of Smart Grid home appliances that will educate consumers on how to avoid peak times to maximize energy efficiency.

“These impressive winners are helping advance the Alliance’s Energy 2030 goal of doubling U.S. energy productivity through investment, modernization and education,” said Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan. “They are proof that not only inside the nation’s capital, but also throughout the U.S. and across the globe much is being done to cut energy waste while saving money and improving the environment.”

“Secretary Mabus is a stellar example of efficiency leadership,” continued Callahan. “Under his direction the Navy has incorporated energy efficiency in its arsenal to address energy use, one of the Navy’s top four priorities.”    

Moving Efficiency Forward

The other Alliance honorees are also making energy efficiency a top priority. 

Metro’s CEO Art Leahy congratulated his team upon hearing the news of the Galaxy Star award.  “I’d like to commend our staff for their work on Metro’s Energy Program,” said Leahy. “They have done a great job in making Metro a cleaner, greener company and will continue to work and set new standards for transit agencies across the nation.”

On Keystone’s HELP award, Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord said, “We are deeply proud of Keystone HELP, which so far has helped more than 11,000 Pennsylvania families to save money while increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. It also creates jobs in an area of the economy where there is tremendous growth potential.”

Lime Energy says it is honored to receive the Super Nova award. “We have spent the last several years investing in a platform that enables utilities to bring energy efficiency at scale to their small business customers, and we thank the Alliance for the recognition of our innovation, and its importance to the future of energy in the United States,” said Lime Energy’s Adam Procell.

Across the globe in Singapore, the I-Star award was well received. “The built environment sector is critical to help achieve a more sustainable future, given that buildings and households consume 49% of the electricity in Singapore,” said Dr. John Keung, Chief Executive Officer of BCA. “Today, we are proud to say that the BCA Green Mark scheme – a key component of our Green Building Masterplan – is the leading green building rating tool for the tropics.”

The 2013 Stars of Energy Efficiency

RGGI has supported energy efficiency investments to reduce energy waste in homes since 2009. In the Northeast, these investments have totaled over $400 million, and will leverage $1.1 billion in consumer savings. RGGI investments include energy audits for small businesses and homeowners, energy-efficient appliance rebates and discounts, industrial implementation assistance for energy efficiency improvements, homeowner and business grants for renewable energy installation, and programs to improve efficiency in schools and municipal offices.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has successfully implemented policies to improve efficient technology use and save money, while reducing environmental impact.  As of 2011, Metro uses 100% alternative fuel, and has increased fuel efficiency 15% since 2005. It also developed a Comprehensive Sustainability Plan which decreased electricity use 8.4% and decreased pollutant emissions 37.6% across-the-board.

Lime Energy’s small business direct install model (SBDI) is helping small businesses save energy costs while maintaining business output. In 2012 the organization deployed SBDI contracts with National Grid, Central Hudson, and Long Island Power Authority and succeeded in delivering 115% of the combined goal from the three contracts.

Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (Keystone HELP) of Pennsylvania provides lower cost financing to homeowners for ENERGY STAR improvements made on heating, cooling, insulation, or geothermal. Since 2006, over 11,000 homeowners have experienced annual reductions of 20 Mwh of electricity, 40,000 mcf of natural gas, 300,000 gallons of oil, and 30,000 gallons of propane on a cumulative expenditure of $9 million in program funds.  That’s an annual $3.8 million saved on energy bills.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore launched its Green Building Masterplan in 2006, and by 2030 plans to increase energy efficiency, water conservation, and environmental quality and protection 80% all around. The Masterplan has been instrumental to increasing the number of green buildings from 17 in 2005 to approximately 1,600 today, representing about 20% of Singapore’s total building stock.

Whirlpool Corporation continued its on-going effort to reduce the environmental footprint of major home appliances in March when it launched the first ever suite of Smart Grid-enabled appliances.  Smart Grid appliances are a viable approach to cutting peak energy demand and improving the reliability of the electrical grid.  Smart appliances are able to automatically modify energy consumption to avoid peak or costly time periods, saving consumers money, whether the appliance is hooked up to a smart meter or not. 

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