Alliance to Save Energy--e-FFICIENCY NEWS: The Energy Efficiency Newsletter of 20 Thousand Readers

e-FFICIENCY NEWS

WELCOME TO THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF e-FFICIENCY NEWS

The monthly newsletter from the
Alliance to Save Energy

December 2001 Vol. 3 No. 12

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CONTENTS

MEET THE NEW ALLIANCE CHAIR

Open Letter from Alliance President David M. Nemtzow Welcoming Senator Dorgan as New Alliance Chair
Dorgan Op-Ed on Energy Efficiency in Roll Call EFFICIENCY NEWS

EFFICIENCY NEWS

ALLIANCE NEWS

EYE OPENERS

EFFICIENCY EVENTS

EFFICIENCY PEOPLE

Energy Job Openings

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MEET THE NEW ALLIANCE CHAIR

Open Letter from Alliance President David M. Nemtzow Welcoming Senator Dorgan as New Alliance Chair

Dear Friend of the Alliance:

I am very pleased to let you know that Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) has just been elected by the Alliance to Save Energy's Board of Directors as the new Chair of the Alliance. Senator Dorgan succeeds Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), who has been chair for nine years, the longest of any chair in our history. Senator Bingaman has been elected to remain on the Alliance Board as a Congressional Vice-Chair.

Senator Dorgan is a leader in the Senate for energy efficiency-and has been particularly active this year as Congress and the nation craft national energy policy; among other actions he is a co-author of the Daschle-Bingaman energy bill that was recently introduced. He is the third-ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; additionally he is on the Appropriations Committee (and its Interior and Related Agencies subcommittee which has jurisdiction over the Department of Energy's (DOE) efficiency spending) and on the Commerce Committee (which has jurisdiction over fuel economy standards). He is a leader of the Senate, as chair of the Democratic Policy Committee.

He is extremely popular in his home state - first elected to the Senate in 1992 after holding two other state-wide offices - where he is known for his abilities to lead and work with broad and varied interests. In the style of the Alliance's founder, Senator Charles Percy, Senator Dorgan can work well across the Alliance spectrum of business, consumer, environmental, and government officials. In leading the Alliance, he joins our co-chair, Dean Langford who recently retired as CEO of Osram Sylvania, Inc.

Please take a few minutes and read Senator Dorgan's own perspectives on energy efficiency and energy policy, which follows and join me in welcoming Senator Dorgan, and his senior energy staffer, Ladeene Freimuth, to the Alliance family.

David Nemtzow
nemtzow@ase.org

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Senator Dorgan on Energy Efficiency

"Energy Agenda both Urgent, Broad," written by Senator Dorgan for Roll Call, demonstrates his understanding of the complexities of a national energy policy. He writes, "While it is vital that we boost domestic production of traditional and alternative sources of energy, it is also important, on the consumption side of the equation, that we stop wasting energy. . . . Increasing vehicle efficiency by just 3 miles per gallon would save the equivalent amount of oil that reportedly could be produced by drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

"Energy-efficiency standards for federal buildings, stronger appliance efficiency standards, and providing more resources for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the state grant program for weatherization are important priorities. Extend for five years the production tax credit for wind and other renewable resources. The federal government ought to make every effort to use alternative energy sources, use all forms of energy more efficiently, and make it a point to purchase more energy-efficient products and vehicles."

Read the entire article from the December 10 Roll Call:
http://www.rollcall.com/pages/pb/00/2001/12/pb1210d.html

Meet Senator Dorgan through his statements on:
Energy Role of North Dakota:
http://dorgan.senate.gov/news/pressfull/record.cfm?id=178182

Energy policy:
http://dorgan.senate.gov/leg/committee/record.cfm?id=178627
http://dorgan.senate.gov/leg/committee/record.cfm?id=178625

Committee assignments:
http://dorgan.senate.gov/leg/legcte.htm

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EFFICIENCY NEWS

U.S. Senate Gets Energy?

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) announced that an Energy Bill will be taken up by the full Senate around February 11, 2002, and committed to a comprehensive energy plan that would place a greater emphasis on energy efficiency than the House-passed bill, H.R. 4. The bill, S. 1766, Energy Policy Act of 2002, contains several key efficiency provisions backed by the Alliance, such as a legislatively mandated SEER 13 air conditioner standard and several provisions to improve federal energy management. Additionally, the sponsors announced their commitment to add provisions to significantly improve vehicle fuel efficiency and to include tax incentives for highly efficient homes, cars and other products after the Commerce Committee and the Finance Committee, respectively, make legislative recommendations. S. 1766 does not include significant efficiency provisions in its electricity title.

Alliance chairman Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) helped craft the legislation which was introduced by Senator Daschle and Alliance Vice Chair and Energy Committee Chair Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).

Alliance News Release and Analysis of the bill:
http://www.ase.org/media/newsrel/dashbingbill01.htm
http://www.ase.org/media/newsrel/dashbinganalysis.htm

More on the Energy Bill from Senator Dorgan:
http://dorgan.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=179839

Download a copy of the bill from the "What's News" section of the Energy Committee website:
http://energy.senate.gov/

Section-by-section bill summary:
http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/documents/sectionalanalysis.pdf

Senator Bingaman's floor statement at introduction:
http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/documents/bingfloorstatement.pdf

For an analysis of this bill by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), visit:
http://aceee.org/press/daschle.pdf

Farm Bill Contains Provisions for Energy Efficiency

The Farm Bill (S. 1731) introduced by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) includes landmark provisions to help farmers improve their energy-efficiency. The bill offers grants and loans for both energy audits and capital improvements for agricultural producers.

More information:
http://www.senate.gov/~agriculture/Briefs/2001FarmBill/t9energy.htm

Alliance Buildings, Utilities Director Bill Prindle Testifies on 'Barton Bill' before House Energy Subcommittee

In testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality's December 13 hearing on Chairman Joe Barton's (R-Tex.) electricity restructuring bill, Alliance Buildings and Utilities director Bill Prindle testified "there is a striking imbalance between policies aimed at the supply side of the industry and those intended to employ the resources available on the demand side, the customer side of the meter." Prindle called on the Committee and Congress to strongly support demand-side policies - policies such as a federal public benefit fund, wholesale market rules that support efficiency and distributed resource participation, an energy efficiency performance standard, and incentives for advanced metering.

Read the testimony:
http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/documents/prindletestimony.pdf

Contact Bill Prindle:
mailto:bprindle@ase.org><font%20size=

New Performance Requirements for Energy Star Windows, Doors, Skylights

The Department of Energy issued new energy performance criteria for Energy Star windows, doors, and skylights effective January 1, 2002. Retailers have a six-month transition period where they may continue to utilize existing labels and marketing materials. The current performance criteria are based on three climate zones in the United States. After several rounds of communication with Energy Star partners and industry stakeholders, DOE decided to redraw the boundaries for the three climate zones and to adjust some of the energy performance requirements.

Read more about this at the Energy Star website at
http://www.energystar.gov/opie/

See the current map and current performance criteria at
http://www.efficientwindows.org/selection1.html

For more information, contact the Alliance's Efficient Windows Collaborative:
Kate Offringa: koffringa@ase.org
Alison Tribble: atribble@ase.org

3M and Corning Ads in Major Newspapers Proclaim: Energy Efficiency Save Millions

Recent ads placed in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times by the Energy Foundation and the Packard Foundation extol Owens Corning's and 3M's energy-efficiency behavior. 3M's ad features the famous post-it notes, and copy proclaims "3M Sticks with Energy Efficiency, Saves $200M." Owens Corning's ad shows a roll of Pink Panther insulation and reads "Energy Efficiency Insulates Owens Corning's Bottom Line."

View the ads:
http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/documents/3Mad.pdf

EPA Launches Energy-Efficiency Awareness Campaign

During a recent Today Show, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Christie Todd Whitman, launched a major two-year campaign to increase awareness of and expand the Agency's successful Energy Star program. The program encourages Americans to protect our environment for future generations by changing to energy efficient products and practices. The new Energy Star campaign, "Change," educates consumers and businesses about ways they can achieve energy efficiency, save money, and help protect the environment.

In 2000 alone, the EPA noted that Energy Star helped save enough energy to power 10 million homes and reduced air pollution equivalent to taking 10 million cars off the road. While accomplishing this for the environment, the program also saved Americans more than $5 billion on their energy bills without sacrificing product features or personal comfort.

Experts Skeptical of Lomborg's 'Skeptical Environmentalist'

A TomPaine.com ad in the December 12 New York Times screams: "The New York Times, Washington Post, The Economist, and Others Got Suckered." This was the in-your-face take on the Earth Day Network's Grist Magazine's release of its critical assessment of Bjorn Lomborg's book The Skeptical Environmentalist. The book challenges the notion that the environmental situation is getting worse and worse. The author, himself a former member of Greenpeace, is critical of many environmental, political and scientific organizations that claim otherwise. Grist has enlisted such luminaries as biologist E.O. Wilson, leading epidemiologist and environmental health researcher Devra Davis, and Alliance President David Nemtzow to discuss topics germane to their fields of knowledge.

Read the critique:
http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/books/lomborg121201.asp.

Nemtzow's critique of Lomberg's energy assessment:
http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/books/nemtzow121201.asp

View the ad:
http://www.tompaine.com/opad/><font%20size=

New Study Finds Energy Efficiency, Renewables Create Jobs

Here's a test: What could the United States do regarding energy that would generate 1.3 million new jobs by 2020 while increasing U.S. energy security, boosting U.S. gross domestic product by $43.9 billion, and putting, on average, an extra $400 each year in the coffers of every household in the nation? The answer, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), is the implementation of energy- efficiency technologies and the development of renewable energy resources. Both approaches also reduce U.S. dependence on limited energy resources while reducing the vulnerability of the U.S. energy infrastructure.

More information:
http://www.worldwildlife.org/news/headline.cfm?newsid=303

CPUC Opens Efficiency Programs to Non-Utilities

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced new rules for its energy efficiency programs in late November. Among the changes is a new provision that allows non-utility parties to make proposals directly to the PUC for a portion of the funding. For example, local governments, community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, and for-profit energy service providers would all be eligible for funding. Statewide programs will be funded at $160 million in 2002, and local programs will be funded at $75 million; non- utility parties will be eligible for approximately 65 percent of the local program funding.

More information:
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/published/news_release/11339.htm

Study Finds EPA's Green Lights Program Highly Successful

The EPA's Green Lights program is responsible for saving approximately 5.6 million tons of carbon (MtC) in 2000 by helping to transform the market for energy-efficient electronic fluorescent ballasts, concluded a study by Marvin J. Horowitz. Horowitz recently published his findings in The Energy Journal. Horowitz's study of how to gauge the effectiveness of public programs in boosting energy efficiency cites EPA's Green Lights program as a success. The Green Lights program, developed in 1991 by the EPA, was the first program ever designed to transform the national market for an energy-efficient product.

Read Horowitz's study:
http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/documents/horowitz.pdf

Web Site Helps Idaho Conform to Governor's Executive Order for Increased Energy Efficiency

Businesses and Consumers can also benefit from a website set up to help governmental employees comply with Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne's Executive Order titled "Energy Conservation Considerations in State Buildings." The order specifies 14 energy-saving measures that apply to all state buildings and facilities throughout Idaho, leased and owned. The web site was established with information to reduce energy consumption. Any building, however, can benefit from the steps listed on the site.

Read more about efficiency of personal computers, climate control and office temperatures, office lighting, and appliances:
http://www2.state.id.us/adm/pubworks/facilities/energy/index.htm

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ALLIANCE NEWS

Newsweek Follows Alliance Message on SUVs

"Driving Toward Independence: Yes, the U.S. can live without Saudi oil-and even keep its SUVs," reports an article in Newsweek November 19. Newsweek quotes Alliance President David Nemtzow, relating, "'Energy efficiency is the quickest and cheapest way to extend our nation's oil supplies,'" The article continues, "If everyone who buys a car in the next year bought the most fuel-efficient model in a given class (compacts, sedans, SUVs), the country would save 31 million barrels of gasoline a year. . . . Keeping every car tuned and its tires properly inflated would save 1 million barrels of oil a day-almost half our Saudi imports"

Read the entire article:
http://stacks.msnbc.com/news/655969.asp

Readers Please Give Your Input: How Might Alliance Creatively Celebrate Its 25th Anniversary, Advance Energy Efficiency Mission?

Next year, 2002, marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Alliance to Save Energy by Sen. Charles Percy following the OPEC oil embargo of the '70s.

Against the backdrop of 2000-2001's roller coaster of energy prices (remember when gasoline was more than $2.00 a gallon?) and current energy security issues, the Alliance's energy efficiency mission remains as important today as 25 years ago. Yet in this fast-changing climate, policy makers, opinion leaders, media, and the general public don't always "get it" -- they don't understand the linkages.

So here's your chance for some creative input, readers: How might the Alliance to Save Energy most creatively and best celebrate its 25th anniversary in a way that most effectively advances its mission of energy efficiency? Also, who should the Alliance honor at its 2002 Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency gala dinner and reception for their outstanding achievement in the area of energy efficiency?

Send Responses titled "25th Anniversary Ideas" to Angela Martin, Communications Associate: mailto:amartin@ase.org

This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Energy Efficiency

Give the gift of energy efficiency this holiday season with a donation in a loved ones name to the Alliance to Save Energy! Just a few easy clicks will allow you to make a secure on-line credit card donation to the Alliance to Save Energy in the name of a family member or friend who will appreciate your thoughtfulness and rejection of the crass commercialism of the holiday season

Recipients will receive a formal letter recognizing that a donation has been made in their name as well as a subscription to E-fficiency News - the newsletter for those who want to stay up to date on energy efficiency issues and programs.

Donate at:
http://www.enn.com/donations/display-affiliate.asp?id=1744

Please contact Leslie Cordes for additional information on individual giving at lcordes@ase.org or 202/530-2211.

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School Builds Energy-Efficient House, Wins Alliance Green School's Golden Apple Award

East San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program laid the foundation for their first-ever energy-efficient home. The home will feature low emissivity windows, Energy Star appliances, energy efficient lighting, and some photovoltaic power cells. For their plans and accomplishments, the Alliance's Green Schools program presented them with the 2001 Golden Apple Award at the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association's "Energizing Schools" conference in Philadelphia. The school was awarded an Earth Apple plaque, a portion of rescued rainforest, a gift tree to be planted on school property, as well as a new laptop for classroom use. Three schools from India also received "Apple Tree" awards for their strong involvement in school-based energy efficiency.

More Information on the Earth Apple Award:
http://www.ase.org/greenschools

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EYE OPENERS

Hannukah: Holiday of (Energy Efficient) Lights, Tips for Holiday Season

People around the world celebrate light amidst winter's darkness. For Jews that's Hannukah - a fun, if not religiously central holiday, said Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb on National Public Radio.

In Israel in 163 BCE, a rag-tag bunch called the Macabbees overthrew the mighty Greek Selucids and rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem - with lights.

Some five hundred years later, the rabbis told the now-famous story of lights. In rededicating the Temple, the Macabees found only one day's supply of pure oil, yet it lasted eight days: a 'miraculous', 700-percent increase in "energy efficiency."

The ancient rabbis say it took a miracle to make a little bit of energy go a long way. Today all it takes is the everyday 'miracle' of changing our ingrained habits to make Maccabean strides towards energy efficiency. That's something to think about as you light your menorah-or Christmas tree, or Kwanzaa lights, or solstice candle.

Read Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb's D'var:
http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/documents/rabbidobb.htm

Read MSNBC's "Season's Greenings"
http://www.msnbc.com/news/671097.asp?0si=-

Read the alliance holiday lighting news release:
http://www.ase.org/media/newsrel/holidaylighting01.htm

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Never Too Early: Earth Day 2002

For Earth Day 2002, the Earth Day Network (EDN) will highlight an inclusive theme, a global call to "Protect Our Home." This slogan will appear with an image of the Earth -- the source of sustenance, and lifeline to the future.

EDN is developing educational and community learning materials, These include information and resources for taking action on key issues such as forests, biodiversity, water, and energy, and tips for environmental organizing.

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EFFICIENCY EVENTS

Energy Efficiency Workshop and Exposition, Palm Springs, CA, June 2-5, 2002

This workshop is geared towards those responsible for planning, coordinating or implementing energy efficiency, renewable energy, water efficiency, or transportation programs. More than 100 of the nation's experts in these fields will be giving presentations, discussing success stories, and offering tips on how to increase energy efficiency. The workshop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program, and co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. General Services Administration.

More information:
http://www.energy2002.ee.doe.gov/Default.htm

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RESNET Conference 'Taking Care of Business' March 4-6, Cocoa, FL

Residential energy efficiency professionals know that staying ahead of the curve is key their company's survival. It is sometimes tough to keep up with the constant changes that are taking place within the residential energy efficiency industry. These changes affect how companies do business and how they approach their jobs and clients.

The 2002 RESNET Conference offers an opportunity to step away from the daily grind and interact with industry experts and others to share the latest information on successful program

More information:
http://www.natresnet.org/conference/

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'Teaming for Efficiency,' August 18-23, Pacific Grove, CA

Since 1982, the ACEEE's Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings has brought together a diverse group of professionals from around the world to discuss the technological basis for and practical implementation of improving energy use in buildings. The 2002 conference, "Teaming for Efficiency," aims to highlight public / private partnerships, regional collaborations, inter-regional efforts, and other collaborative efforts in addition to addressing a broad array of subjects

More information:
http://www.aceee.org/conf/02ss/02call.htm

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EFFICIENCY PEOPLE

Energy Job Openings

Alliance to Save Energy:
Director of Research and Policy Analysis

The Alliance is accepting resume applications for the senior level position of Director of Research and Policy Analysis. The Alliance seeks a candidate with extensive background in conducting energy efficiency research and policy analysis along with the leadership and management skills necessary to head one of our seven operational teams.

Alliance to Save Energy:
Senior PR/Media Relations Associate

Excellent and proficient writer of news releases, statements, feature articles, op-eds, white papers, newsletters, reports, funding proposals. Strong media pitching/publicist/strategist skills with demonstrated results -- send samples that include news releases and resulting placements. Work on hot energy issue with major media for energy-efficiency Alliance of prominent business, government, consumer, environmental leaders. Demonstrated interest and work in policy.

Program Manager:
Alliance to Save Energy

The Alliance is launching a new program to expand Energy Star partnerships around the U.S. and seeks an innovative, experienced program manager to lead this effort. The program will develop new partnerships across a range of technology, market, and organizational lines.

More Information:
http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/www.ase.org/about/humanr.htm

Energy-Efficiency Consultant:
Optimal Energy, Inc

Optimal Energy, Inc., a privately held Vermont-based energy consulting firm, seeks to hire an Associate. The position will work with senior-level staff in developing and completing quantitative analyses and writing projects for a variety of assignments. The job will involve managing the work of other staff and consultants, often working closely with clients and utility staff.

Please respond in confidence by January 7, 2002 with your resume and a brief letter to: Dianne Bellamore, Optimal Energy, Inc., 14 School Street, Bristol, VT 05443, fax (802) 453-5100, email (bellamor@optenergy.com).

The Energy Trust of Oregon:
Director of Energy Efficiency
Director of Renewable Resources
Contracts Manager
Director of Finance and Operations
Executive Assistant/Office Manager

The Energy Trust of Oregon is the new nonprofit set up to manage the conservation and renewable resource portions of the public purposes charge embedded in Oregon's utility restructuring legislation.

More information including more detailed job descriptions, instructions and the short application required for those applying for the Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables can be found at the Energy Trust web site http://www.energytrust.org/.

Competed applications, resumes and letters of interest are being received by the MBL Group LLC at 1220 SW Morrison, Suite 900. Portland OR 97205.

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CONTACT US

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http://www.ase.org/about/staff.htm

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This page was updated January 17, 2002
The Alliance to Save Energy
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Phone: 202/857-0666 Fax: 202/331-9588
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