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Alliance to Save EnergyThree Decades on the World Stage Since its inception in
1977, the Alliance has been deeply involved in the major energy-related
developments affecting the United States and the rest of the world. The
timeline below shows how world events (in black type) and Alliance
accomplishments (in purple type) have intersected over the past three
decades. 1973 1977 U.S. Department of Energy is Created — Seven months later, President Carter signs legislation creating a new federal department to coordinate energy policy and programs; energy efficiency and renewable energy programs receive major funding support. 1978 National Energy Legislation Passed — Building on 1975 legislation, Congress passes comprehensive energy legislation which includes energy-efficiency tax credits and promotion of cogeneration and renewable power. First National TV Ad Campaign — The Alliance mounts national TV public service advertising campaign. Gregory Peck promotes energy conservation by declaring "Don’t Blow It America." Donated air time of $175 million gets the message into millions of American living rooms. 1979 Second World Oil Crisis and Three Mile Island Accident — The Iranian revolution generates the second world oil crisis, doubling oil prices and plummeting the industrial world into a recession. TMI accident ends new orders for U.S. nuclear powerplants. 1981 1982 1984 Alliance Legislation Shifts Energy Assistance Funds to Energy Conservation — Pushed by then-Alliance Chairman Senator John Heinz, Alliance-promoted legislation is enacted that allows governors to shift fuel assistance funds into energy-efficiency upgrades in low-income homes. To date, this legislation has moved nearly $2.5 billion into energy-efficiency investments. 1986 1987 1988 Gasoline Addiction Drives Up Energy Consumption — Americans drive more than 2 trillion miles for the first time ever; at the current rate of increase, nation will hit the 3 trillion mark within 15 years — triple 1968’s level. 1990 1991 EPA Launches Voluntary Energy-Efficiency Programs — The Environmental Protection Agency creates the first voluntary energy-efficiency effort, Green Lights, which issues in a new era of non-regulatory, market transformation initiatives involving the energy-efficiency industry, EPA, DOE, utilities, and nonprofit organizations. Alliance Slams Poor Federal Energy Performance — The Alliance sheds a spotlight on the federal government’s poor performance in reducing energy use in the government’s own facilities — wasting more than $1 billion annually of taxpayers’ money — and works closely with the energy-efficiency industry to propose legislative response to problem. 1992 1993 Congress Rejects Broad-Based Energy Tax — President Clinton proposes a small BTU tax that would potentially stimulate investment in energy efficiency, but Congress rejects his proposal. Alliance Launches International Program — Recognizing the need for global energy efficiency, the Alliance launches an international program resulting in projects in Russia, Ukraine, Central Europe, Mexico, Ghana, and China. 1994 Alliance Begins Energy Efficiency Export Missions — With the U.S. energy efficiency industry, the Alliance undertakes educational and market development export missions to Mexico, followed by ones to Portugal and China; new business deals create American jobs while promoting a cleaner global environment. 1995 Attempts to Eliminate Federal Efficiency Efforts Blocked — The new Congress attempts a major funding and regulatory rollback of energy efficiency. Led by its Chairman Senator Jeff Bingaman and its Co-chairmen Senator Jim Jeffords and Representatives Ed Markey and John Porter, the Alliance coordinates the energy-efficiency industry’s work to successfully hold the line. Alliance Goes Back on the Air — Renewing its original public education role, the Alliance initiates a new television and radio public service campaign to increase public awareness of the importance of energy efficiency in saving the earth, jobs, and money. Scientific Community Issues Climate Change Clarion Call — The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change officially announces that "the balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate." Undersecretary of State Tim Wirth (Alliance chair emeritus) announces a "hard targets" policy in the Geneva Climate Convention the following year. 1996 Refrigerator Standards Set — Alliance helps negotiate national standards for new refrigerators, which will increase their energy efficiency by 30 percent. 1997 Alliance Celebrates 20 Years of Leadership in Promoting Energy Efficiency — Led by its fifth chairman, Senator Jeff Bingaman, and its fifth CEO, David Nemtzow, the Alliance — with its board, corporate members, staff, and many partners — celebrates a 20-year history of linking government, business, environmental, and consumer leaders in a bipartisan effort to promote energy efficiency. 1998 The Alliance's public outreach campaign scores multiple successes including three animated television spots that garner $2.2 million in broadcast time in 49 states; four radio spots airing in 45 states; the Power$mart consumer booklet; an animated, interactive consumer web site; and a new educator web site with free energy lesson plans. The campaign earns a National Energy Resources Organization award for public education. The Alliance launches the Steam Challenge and the Steam Challenge Clearinghouse in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy. 1999 2001
This page was updated August 1, 2003
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