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e-FFICIENCY NEWS
WELCOME TO THE MARCH e-FFICIENCY NEWS The monthly newsletter from the March 2002 Vol. 4 No. 4 ******************************** SENATE ENERGY LEGISLATION
******************************** SENATE ENERGY LEGISLATION In a vote approving an amendment by auto-state Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Kit Bond (R-MO) that strips the Senate's energy legislation of a significant increase in vehicle fuel economy, "Congress chose special interests over national interests," said the Alliance to Save Energy. A further weakening of legislation followed in an amendment by Senators Zell Miller (D-GA) and Phil Gramm (R-TX) which called for an exemption of pick-up trucks from any further increases in fuel economy standards. The measures were lobbied for heavily by the auto industry and its unions. Read about
automobile fuel efficiency (CAFE ): Back
to top The Alliance to Save Energy is appalled by the Senate's action last week to roll back America's already waning vehicle fuel economy. At a time when national security is an utmost concern for millions of Americans, most of our Senators chose to listen to the auto industry and vote against decreasing our oil consumption. We believe that the U.S. Senate put special interests above national interests. The Auto industry lobbyists had their say, now you have yours. Sound off:
Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) is expected to offer an amendment to eviscerate the Energy Policy Act's 30 percent increase in energy efficiency for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps. This amendment, which would lower the required standards, would cost the nation at least $1 billion in annual electric bill savings, require the construction of an additional 48 power plants, and increase carbon emissions by 2.5 million metric tons each year by 2020. To keep abreast
of energy policy, visit the Alliance's web site: Contact Al
Stayman: More on Air
Conditioner Standards: Back
to top Support for Efficiency Tax Credits Remains Strong One of the final items expected to be considered on the floor of the Senate is the energy tax package reported by the Finance Committee in February. That package includes roughly $2.3 billion over 5 years for building and industrial energy efficiency tax credits, and $2.1 billion for efficient and alternative fuel vehicle credits. Among the Alliance priorities included in the package are credits for efficient new and existing homes, highly efficient appliances, advanced meters, commercial buildings, hybrid vehicles and combined heat and power. Though the tax package was reported on a bipartisan basis, controversy may still work its way into the process as Finance Committee leaders determine how to pay for the package. For a chart
detailing the costs of tax incentives: To keep abreast
of energy policy, visit the Alliance's web site: More
information, David Hamilton, Alliance policy contact: ******************************** ALERT: Breaking News: Reorganization at DOE Efficiency Office in the Works The Alliance has just learned of a sweeping reorganization of the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE/RE) that is in the works. Led by Assistant Secretary David Garman, the planned restructuring will eliminate the 5 current “sectors” (Building, State and Community Programs; Industrial Technologies; Power Technologies; Transportation Technologies; and the Federal Energy Management Program, FEMP), and replace them with 11 “program” offices. In a document prepared for EE/RE staff – “Streamlining and Integrating Program and Business Management for Better Performance” (see hotlink below) – Garman indicates that this reorganization follows from the recently concluded but as yet-unreleased strategic review of the office. The current five deputy assistant secretaries (DASes) for the above-mentioned sectors will be replaced by two DASes (for Technology Development and for Business Administration) and Garman indicates “all management positions are open” but will be (re-)filled in the coming months. This proposed reorganization will be both important and controversial. The Alliance will analyze it to determine its implications for the effective management of DOE’s efficiency programs, as well as changes in program prioritization, funding and Congressional Appropriations. New Organization
Chart: For more information please contact Alliance policy director David Hamilton, dham@ase.org, or Alliance president David Nemtzow, nemtzow@ase.org. Back
to top DOE Chief of Staff Named Deputy Secretary of Energy President George W. Bush announced yesterday his intention to nominate Kyle E. McSlarrow to be Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy. Currently serving as Chief of Staff to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, McSlarrow will replace Deputy Secretary Francis Blake who is moving on to Alliance Associate Home Depot as Executive VP. Alliance Associates will remember McSlarrow as the guest speaker of the February 2001 Associates Breakfast. Alliance President David Nemtzow said, "Kyle McSlarrow is a dedicated public servant who keeps an open door to the energy efficiency community." More information
on McSlarrow and his nomination: Back
to top California Pushes Strict Appliance Rules to Save Power California is demanding the toughest energy-efficiency standards in the nation on its air conditioners, commercial washing machines, and many other appliances. The move is orchestrated to prevent future power shortages like the one that sent electricity rates soaring last year. Within a year, the tough new rules will cut demand by 134 megawatts - enough for about 134,000 homes - during summer heatwaves when energy use peaks, according to the California Energy Commission (CEC), which approved them last month. Savings will grow as more efficient appliances come into the marketplace. Back
to top Maryland Considers CA-Style Boost for Efficiency In the three weeks remaining in Maryland's 2002 legislative session, state lawmakers will decide the fate of two bills that can give a needed boost to energy efficiency in the Free State. The first would enact state efficiency standards for 10 products with large potential savings. The second would establish a public benefits program to fund investments in energy efficiency for residential and small commercial customers. The two bills together would achieve much of what California has already enacted. Maryland already exempts certain Energy Star products from sales tax. Download both bills and contact your legislators at: http://66.70.82.41/Actions/linktosite.cfm?message_id=766&user_id=ase&recipient_id=999999999&site=http://www.mlis.state.md.us Alliance
testimony on this bill: Alliance
testimony on standards: Back
to top BP CEO John Browne Credits Efficiency for Meeting Emissions Goals Seven Years Ahead of Schedule Alliance Associate BP announced that it had lowered greenhouse gas emissions by more than nine million tons eight years ahead of target. Despite plans to increase its oil and gas production, the energy giant will peg net future emissions at this new, lower level. During a recent speech at Stanford University's School of Business, the multinational's CEO, Sir John Browne, credited the dramatic reduction in emissions to better management of the company's energy use and stated that "approximately half of the improvements came from internal energy efficiency." Browne went on to say "We believe we can achieve a 10 to 15 per cent improvement in the efficiency of our energy use." The cost of the program? Zero. Browne stressed that "the savings from reduced energy inputs and increased efficiency have outweighed all the expenditure involved." Read BP's news
release and the full speech: Back
to top 'Daylighting' Boosts Performance in CA Schools Students achieve higher test scores when their schools employ "Daylighting" systems, according to a report by the New Buildings Institute. Daylighting directs natural sunlight into classrooms after it has been diffused to eliminate glare. The study found that students with the most daylighting in their classrooms progressed 20 percent faster on math tests and 26 percent faster on reading tests over the course of one year, compared to students in classrooms with the least daylighting. Daylit schools in Johnston County, North Carolina, reported that they consumed 22-64 percent less energy than comparable schools in the county. For the new
Daylighting in Schools visit: Back
to top FERC Sees Demand Response as Big Player in Newly Created Regional Transmission Organizations The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is making plans to ensure that price-based demand response resources are a solid part of the planning and operations of the soon-to-be-created Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs). FERC currently has a process underway to determine the rules for RTOs. In a white paper issued last week, the agency said that "demand response [adjusting rates to match demand] is essential in competitive markets to assure the efficient interaction of supply and demand." In this proceeding, FERC also recently unveiled a cost-benefit analysis that showed a $60 Billion savings over the next 20 years if demand response is incorporated into RTO market design and operations. To see these
documents and learn more about the FERC process: The Alliance is
helping craft policy on demand response through its membership in
the Demand Response and Advanced Metering Coaliton (DRAM). For more
information: Back
to top Consumers Can Benefit with Real Time Pricing Consumers may be able to realize savings on their energy bills by sharing the risk energy companies take on by offering flat prices for electricity, according to a new report by Eric Hirst, a consultant in electric-industry restructuring. Hirst cites the example of Puget Sound Energy which is considering a plan to offer its customers the option to include the company's costs of hedging rates in their energy bills. Consumers who pay a flat price for energy may spend up to 15 percent more than consumers who opt for a real-time pricing scheme. Read the
ten-page report at: Contact Eric
Hirst: Back
to top Hybrid Cars Make Inroads in Auto Marketplace J.D. Power and Associates reports that 60 percent of new-car buyers say they would purchase a hybrid electric vehicle that gets better mileage than a conventional model, but most of them said they do not want to pay more than $1,000 extra for the benefit. Hybrid vehicles use electric motors to supplement a gasoline engine, increasing fuel economy and lowering emissions. Nearly one-third of those who said they would strongly consider buying a hybrid vehicle say they would do so even if the fuel savings did not cover the cost of the hybrid technology. Also, the Associated Press reports that no fewer than seven gas-electric hybrid models are expected to be sold in the United States by 2004. Automotive market researcher J.D. Power and Associates of Agoura Hills, Calif., estimates U.S. hybrid sales could approach 500,000 by 2006. Read the
articles: Back
to top BTS Initiates Electronic Newsletter The DOE's Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs (BTS) is moving to a new, flexible way to deliver buildings information to key stakeholders via e-mail. Timely energy efficiency information will be sent monthly to BTS E-News subscribers. The first issue of BTS E-News is scheduled for May 1 and will coincide with the last hard copy of the "Buildings for the 21st Century" newsletter. If you would like to receive E-News in HTML format, please end an e-mail to eNewsHTML@technologistsinc.com. To receive E-News in Text format, please send an e-mail to eNewsTEXT@technologistsinc.com. No subject or
message is needed. Back
to top ******************************** ALLIANCE NEWS First World-Wide Compilation of Energy Efficiency Funds Now Online The Alliance recently compiled a comprehensive list of more than 60 energy-efficiency funds operating throughout the world. Titled "Funds for Energy Efficiency Projects," the inventory provides interest rates, loan terms, minimum and maximum loan amounts, type of projects, number of projects funded, contacts, and other information. Most funds listed are currently operational, though some are idle or in the process of implementation. Although most are loan funds, the list also presents funds that offer equity, partial guarantees and technical assistance. Check out the
list on the Alliance's web site: Back
to top Alliance Notes from Industrial Benchmarking Symposium Now Online Powerful new microprocessors and telecommunications technologies have dramatically improved our ability to compare or "benchmark" the energy use and practices of factories, whole industries, and even nations. Unfortunately, much of the progress and experience gained in energy benchmarking is not universally shared. Different organizations develop techniques and data for different purposes, often in isolation of one another. To bridge this communication gap, the Alliance to Save Energy held a symposium "From the Plant Floor to the Planet's Future: New Opportunities for Industrial Energy Benchmarking." Back
to top What's New in Industrial Energy Efficiency The Alliance's Industrial Program culls the best news on industrial energy efficiency and posts it on the Alliance web site. Visit every other week to read the updates. Current headlines include: The California Public Utility Commission raised the limit of self-generation incentive to encourage the use of the cleanest available gas turbine, Kawasaki's 1.4 megawatt GPB15X. General Electric's power systems signed an agreement to acquire Enron's wind business. Siemens power group will build distributed generation fuel cell power plant, a first for Europe. These articles
available at: Back
to top ********************************
(Alliance
calculations using US Energy Information Administration data: 8.6
million bbl/day out of 76.8 mmbd) Back
to top Web Site Urges Visitors to Take 'Green Ribbon Pledge' The Green Ribbon Pledge is a new online energy conservation pledge "to conserve energy for a secure future." An individual pledger commits to reducing his or her energy consumption in a variety of ways. The green ribbon then becomes a symbol of their commitment. Small-scale energy saving measures could reduce need for the building of large power plants; remove cancer-causing materials from the air; and prevent further global warming-related catastrophes. The site keeps running tabs on how much energy is being saved. To date, the need for 1,264,457 gallons of oil and 54,087,293 kWh has been eliminated by individuals' efforts at conservation and efficiency. For more
information and to take the pledge: Back
to
top American Power Conference April 15-17, Chicago, IL Attendees at the American Power Conference will find the latest information and technologies for generation, transmission & distribution and power industry business issues. To register,
call +1-888-299-8016 or visit: Back
to top Fuel Cells 2002: April 8-9, Stamford, CT BCC, Inc.'s 2nd annual conference on fuel cell technology focuses on the nitty-gritty issues in technical, economic, planning, and marketing aspects of fuel cells necessary to apply the technology to applications systems and effectively achieve commercialization. Back
to top Strategic Energy Management USA 2002, June 24-25,
Philadelphia More information
can be found at http://66.70.82.41/Actions/linktosite.cfm?message_id=766&user_id=ase&recipient_id=999999999&site=http://www.eyeforenergy.com/sem Back
to
top Former Assistant Secretary of Energy Reicher Named Northern Power Systems' Exec. VP Northern Power Systems announced that Dan W. Reicher, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has joined the company as executive vice president. In announcing Mr. Reicher's appointment, Jito Coleman, Northern's president and chief executive officer said: "Dan is a national leader in renewable energy and distributed generation who has had a major impact on U.S. policies and markets for clean and reliable power. We are thrilled to have him come on board. With his experience and our track record, we will accelerate our existing programs and new initiatives to provide cleaner, more reliable and competitively priced power for commercial, industrial, and public sector needs world-wide." Back
to top Director of Finance We are searching for a person to lead our the Alliance's Financial Management Team and be a key member of the organization's management committee. The Director of Finance reports to the Vice President and works closely with the President and Board Treasurer. They manage the work of four accountants to ensure the proper accounting and financial management of the organization. The person prepares the annual budget, assists staff in preparing project budgets and proposals, and manages our financial relationships with funders.. They oversee annual audits, prepare and analyze monthly financial statements, alert senior management to key issues and provide recommendations. They monitor cash flow, develop investment strategies and prepare and implement financial management procedures, and undertake special projects. The position requires a degree in accounting, CPA or relevant experience, at least 10 years of progressively increasing responsibility and experience, past supervisory experience; past experience in financial management of a non profit organization is a plus. http://66.70.82.41/Actions/linktosite.cfm?message_id=766&user_id=ase&recipient_id=999999999&site=http://www.ase.org/about/humanr.htm
Alliance to
Save Energy The Alliance is
searching for an experienced and outstanding leader in the NYSERDA The New York
State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is seeking
a Program Manager for the Residential Energy Affordability Program
to help develop and implement innovative, technically credible
low-income sector and other residential energy efficiency programs.
More
information: Back
to top Need to reach someone at the Alliance to
Save Energy? Check out our staff listings by name and by area of
expertise. http://www.ase.org/about/staff.htm Back
to Top This e-mail newsletter is sent bimonthly
to anyone interested in energy-efficiency issues. Gadi Nevo Ben-Yehuda, Editor, webmaster@ase.org David Nemtzow, Publisher, nemtzow@ase.org If a friend has forwarded this message to
you and you’d like to get it yourself, send us an email containing
your email address only: Back
to Top Do you have news you’d like to share with
us? Do you have comments about e-FFICIENCY NEWS? We’d
enjoy hearing from you. Send your news and comments to Webmaster@ase.org. This page was updated April 24, 2002
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