Our History
The Alliance was founded and co-chaired by Sens. Charles H. Percy (R-Ill.) and Hubert H. Humphrey (D-Minn.) in 1977, on the heels of the global energy crisis fueled by the OPEC oil embargo. While American consumers curbed their oil consumption during the crisis, many resumed their energy-wasteful lifestyles as prices receded in the aftermath.
To encourage a national commitment to energy efficiency — with or without another oil crisis — the Alliance brought together a “who’s who” of bipartisan leaders from both public and private sectors to lead a unified effort for a secure energy future.
From our first major public service campaign in 1979 — “Let’s Not Blow It…America,” narrated by Gregory Peck — to the award-winning “Drive Smarter Challenge” fuel efficiency campaign in 2008-2009 — the Alliance has devoted itself to delivering our energy-saving mission to consumers, elected officials and industry leaders.
Alliance Timeline
Check out our interactive timeline made in honor of the Alliance's 35th anniversary in 2012!
The timeline below highlights even more details about the Alliance, which has been deeply involved in the major energy-related developments affecting the United States and the rest of the world.
1977:
Alliance Founded — Sens. Charles Percy and Hubert Humphrey create the Alliance to Save Energy. Humphrey tells Percy, "Chuck, this may be the most important single thing we do in our lifetime.”
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Created — Seven months later, President Jimmy Carter signs legislation creating DOE, a new federal department to coordinate energy policy and programs; energy efficiency and renewable energy programs receive major funding.
1978:
CAFE Kicks In — Automobile fuel economy standards (CAFE) take effect, helping to double the average new car's fuel efficiency and save the United States 2.5 million barrels of oil daily.
National Energy Legislation Passed — Building on 1975 legislation, Congress passes comprehensive energy legislation, including energy efficiency tax credits and promotion of co-generation 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:
Energy Future — Alliance board member Robert Stobaugh's Energy Future popularizes a new solution to energy woes: energy efficiency.
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. Three Mile Island accident ends new orders for U.S. nuclear power plants.
1981:
Alliance Restructures Approach — Following President Ronald Reagan's drastic reductions in federal efficiency activities, the Alliance adapts by initiating new research programs and pilot demonstrations on innovative methods to promote energy efficiency in private markets.
1982:
Utility Demand-Side Management — The Alliance designs the first methodology to evaluate efficiency as an energy resource for Arkansas Power and Light.
1984:
Energy-Saving Performance Contracting — The Alliance designs workbooks and hosts seminars on innovative, private-sector financing techniques for energy-efficiency projects.
Energy Assistance Funds Shift to Energy Conservation — Pushed by then-Alliance Chairman Sen. John Heinz, Alliance-promoted legislation is enacted that allows governors to shift fuel assistance funds into energy efficiency upgrades in low-income homes.
1986:
Oil Prices Collapse, Chernobyl Melts Down — Unleashing of free-market forces results in the collapse of world oil prices and a perception of plenitude. Poor management results in a devastating nuclear accident in Ukraine's Chernobyl power plant, renewing global interest in energy efficiency.
1987:
Appliance Standards War Settled — President Reagan vetoes, then signs the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act, mandating federal energy efficiency standards for many commonly used appliances.
1988:
Alliance Reaches Out to Emerging Energy Efficiency Industry — Sensing a change in the marketplace, the Alliance begins to organize the energy efficiency industry to make its voice heard on national energy policy issues.
Gasoline Addiction Drives Up Energy Consumption — Americans drive more than 2 trillion miles for the first time ever.
1990:
Utility Demand-Side Management (DSM) Programs — Wide adoption of state-integrated resource planning generates the largest source of efficiency incentives ever: over $2 billion a year.
1991:
Gulf War — National attention again focuses on energy issues as U.S. leaders cite energy vulnerability to initially justify military involvement.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Efficiency Programs — The EPA creates the first voluntary energy efficiency effort, Green Lights, which ushers in an era of non-regulatory, market transformation initiatives involving the energy efficiency industry, DOE, utilities and nonprofits.
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).
1992:
EPAct Enacted — President George H.W. Bush signs the comprehensive Energy Policy Act, including major provisions to improve federal energy management, building codes, equipment standards and home energy ratings.
1993:
New Support — The Alliance spurs the creation of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, the Building Codes Assistance Project, the Export Council for Energy Efficiency, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council, and the Hungarian Energy Consumers Association.
Congress Rejects Broad-Based Energy Tax — President Bill Clinton proposes a small BTU tax that would potentially stimulate investment in energy efficiency, but Congress rejects his proposal.
Alliance 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:
Dependence on Imported Oil Sets New Record — U.S. oil imports exceed domestic oil production for the first time in the nation's history. The latest culprit: Americans' newfound infatuation with light trucks and sport utility vehicles.
Energy Efficiency Export Missions — With the U.S. energy efficiency industry, the Alliance undertakes educational and market development export missions to Mexico, Portugal and China; new business deals create American jobs while promoting a cleaner global environment.
1995:
Retail Wheeling — California Public Utilities Commission publishes the Blue Book, which changes DSM forever in the United States; the next year California adopts legislation that provides incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy within utility restructuring.
Attempts to Eliminate Federal Efficiency Efforts Blocked — Congress attempts a major funding and regulatory rollback of energy efficiency. The Alliance coordinates the energy efficiency industry's work to successfully hold the line.
Back on the Air — Renewing its original public education role, the Alliance initiates a television and radio public service campaign to increase public awareness of the importance of energy efficiency in saving the Earth, jobs and money.
Climate Change Clarion Call — The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says "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:
Alliance Overseas Office — The Alliance opens its first overseas office in Kaliningrad, Russia, followed by offices in Ukraine and Hungary.
Refrigerator Standards Set — Alliance helps negotiate national standards for new refrigerators, increasing their energy efficiency by 30%.
1997:
Climate Change Reduction Goals — The Kyoto Conference on Global Climate Change draws international attention to the environmental consequences of burning fossil fuels and spurs renewed interest in energy efficiency.
1998:
Funding Energy Efficiency — Congress increases funding for energy efficiency programs by $80 million following last-minute negotiations with the Clinton administration.
Public Outreach — Alliance earns a National Energy Resources Organization award for its education campaign, which included three animated television spots in 49 states, four radio spots in 45 states, the Power$mart consumer booklet, an interactive website and an educator website with energy lesson plans. The Alliance also launches the Steam Challenge and the Steam Challenge Clearinghouse in cooperation with DOE.
1999:
Clinton Strengthens Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Executive Order — Spurred by the Alliance report, Leading By Example: Improving Energy Productivity in Federal Government Facilities, President Clinton issues an executive order for the federal government to reduce its energy use 35% by 2010 compared to 1985 levels. The order also calls for the government to cut its greenhouse gas emissions to 30 percent below 1990 levels by 2010.
First hybrid electric vehicle introduced in U.S. — The Honda Insight rolls off assembly lines and is named EPA’s highest-rated passenger car for fuel economy.
International Efficiency Labeling and Standards — The Alliance, International Institute for Energy Conservation and Lawrence Berkeley National Labs form the Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program to promote efficiency standards and labels in developing and transitional countries.
2000:
Approach of Year 2000 Prompts Energy Fears — Arrival of a new millennium and the Y2K scare force business owners and consumers to focus on energy issues as many individuals and agencies prepare for a crisis that never materializes.
LEED Debuts — First Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building is completed. Since that time more than 8,000 commercial projects have been LEED certified around the world.
Energy Efficiency Funding Hits 20-Year High — On the heels of the California energy crisis, energy efficiency funding promoted by the Alliance increases to its highest point, $814 million, since the beginnings of the first Reagan administration and includes a 30% increase in ENERGY STAR programs.
Tougher Appliance Standards — The Alliance helps negotiate a rule with DOE to increase the efficiency of clothes washers 35% by 2007, saving more than four Quads of energy.
2001:
New A/C Standards — DOE publishes final rule amending energy conservation standards on central air conditioners and heat pumps. New Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) 13 standards will improve efficiency of units by 30%.
September 11 — Hijackers crash commercial airliners into the Pentagon and World Trade Center, collapsing both towers. The attacks have a wide-ranging impact and raise concerns about U.S. national energy security.
Inaugural Energy Efficiency Summit — Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, former CIA Chief James Woolsey and others speak at the Alliance’s first Summit on Energy Efficiency, which spotlights energy security.
2002:
Department of Homeland Security Founded — President George W. Bush establishes the largest government reorganization in more than 50 years.
Award Winning Commercial Created by Alliance — Alliance humorous Static Electricity House PSA is judged and voted the No. 2 greatest T.V. commercial in the world (CBS World's Greatest Commercials); also featured on ABC and BBC best commercials shows.
2003:
Second Gulf War — The eyes of the nation turn again to the Middle East as the United States invades Iraq in search of weapons of mass destruction during “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”
Oil and National Security — Alliance participates in major natural gas summit to examine the crisis and ensure that energy efficiency solutions are part of the dialogue and subsequent National Petroleum Council natural gas study.
2004:
Alliance Elects Kateri Callahan as President — Callahan restructures organization and introduces “Vision 2010” plan to reduce predicted increases in U.S. energy demand 10% by 2010.
Green Campus Program — Leading the way to college campus sustainability, the Alliance begins working with California universities to introduce the concepts of energy efficiency and conservation into course curricula and campus life.
EPA Smartway Transport Partnership— Voluntary collaboration between the EPA and the freight industry designed to increase fuel efficiency and environmental performance of the country’s freight shippers, logistics companies and ground carriers.
2005:
EPAct ’05 Enacted — President Bush signs the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the first major energy law in 13 years. Energy efficiency is the first title. Provisions include energy efficiency tax incentives, appliance and equipment standards, and federal energy management initiatives.
Hurricane Katrina Strikes Gulf Coast —Focus on rebuilding effort in the aftermath of hurricane generates support from government, building and energy efficiency community to ensure construction takes advantage of best practices.
2006:
First Climate Summit — Following the most active hurricane season in recorded history, the Alliance hosts the inaugural summit on energy efficiency and climate change in Washington, D.C., with capacity turnout of government, industry, advocacy, media and academic experts.
Alliance Moves — Alliance completes renovations and upgrades designed to achieve LEED-CI (Commercial Interior) Silver certification and moves into new energy-efficient office space in the heart of Washington, D.C. Take a virtual tour.
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) — Responding to rapid growth in energy consumption and population in the Southeastern United States, the Alliance incorporates SEEA as a 503(c)(3) nonprofit to strengthen regional economy and protect the environment through energy efficiency.
Oil Hits Record Levels — Crude oil prices hit a record level of more than $78 per barrel and retail U.S. gasoline prices top $3.00 per gallon.
2007:
EISA Passage — Congress signs the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), the most sweeping energy efficiency legislation in U.S. history.
Drive $marter Challenge — The Alliance, Wal-Mart Foundation and 18 other partners launch the Drive $marter Challenge (D$C), a nationwide consumer outreach campaign on how to cut fuel use.
2008:
Energy-Saving Law Passes — Congress enacts H.R. 6, the most significant energy efficiency legislation in three decades.
Commercial Buildings Initiative (CBI) — Given the growing need to address energy costs, carbon emissions and climate change, key building industry organizations form the CBI to promote zero-net-energy commercial buildings.
2009:
Clean and Efficient Energy Program (CEEP) — The Alliance and public power partners launch CEEP, a nationwide initiative promoting investment in energy efficiency and clean energy by publicly owned utilities.
EE Global Overseas — The Alliance hosts its first major conference abroad: the Energy Efficiency Global Forum & Exposition, in Paris.
Save Energy Now® LEADER — DOE launches the Save Energy Now® LEADER Program, which provides technical assistance and resources to companies that pledge significant improvements in industrial energy efficiency.
2010:
International Code Council — The ICC adopts a landmark national model energy code that increases efficiency for residential and commercial buildings by 30%.
Alliance Revamps and Launches Websites — The Alliance overhauls its main website, ASE.org, and launches a consumer-focused website, LivingEfficiently.org.
