Basic Facts About the Alliance
Overview
The Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit coalition of prominent business, government, environmental and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit the environment, the economy and national security.
Our History
Founded and c-chaired by Sens. Charles H. Percy (R-Ill.) and Hubert H. Humphrey (D-Minn.) in 1977, the Alliance was established on the heels of the energy crisis sparked by the OPEC oil embargo and its aftermath. The senators and other decision makers and opinion leaders were concerned as Americans began to return to energy-wasteful lifestyles.
To address this issue, the Alliance brought together a virtual who’s who of leaders in the public and private sectors in a unified effort to promote a national commitment to energy efficient for a secure energy future.
From our first major public service advertising campaign, Let’s not blow it…America, narrated by Gregory Peck in 1978, to the award winning Drive Smarter Challenge fuel efficiency campaign supported by partners such as the Wal-Mart Foundation, Exxon Mobil and NASCAR in 2008 and 2009, the Alliance has made it our mission to deliver the energy-saving message to the public.
Board of Directors: Then and Now
The first high-profile board of directors and board of advisors were chaired by Sen. Percy and the Honorable Henry A. Kissinger, respectively. Chairmen emeriti include Sens. Daniel J. Evans, the late H. John Heinz III, and Timothy E. Wirth.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) currently serves as the Alliance Board’s honorary chair. National Grid US President Tom King serves as co-chair. Serving as honorary congressional vice chairs are Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Lugar (R-Ind.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Mark Udall (D-Colo.); and Reps. Brian Bilbray (R-Cali.), Ralph Hall (R-Texas), Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.).
The board includes CEOs, presidents and senior executives of companies, law firms, associations and consumer and environmental organizations, as well as state government officials and university professors. Board members are voted on by the whole board.
Alliance Associates
More than 150 Alliance Associates – corporations, business trade associations, state energy offices, federal energy research labs, nonprofits and other entities – work together through the Alliance to promote greater investment in cost-effective energy efficiency. Alliance Associates participate in a range of Alliance programs and activities, including international trade and investment projects, legislative coalitions, and exclusive policy events led by decision makers and thought-leaders who support energy efficiency.
Alliance Programming and Funding
For over 30 years, the Alliance has worked to make the benefits of energy efficiency understood and practiced in the United States and around the world. One of our strengths has been the ability to create partnerships and bring together various constituencies and interests to move the United States and the world toward a more energy efficient, sustainable future. By collaborating with industry groups, utilities, financial institutions, government entities, individuals, corporations, foundations and communities, we have been able to extend our reach to a wide variety of audiences.
The Alliance’s work encompasses education, research and advocacy programs and addresses energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, utilities, policy, international development and consumer awareness. All programs emphasize energy efficiency as the world’s most abundant energy resource and the quickest, cleanest and cheapest way to extend the nation’s energy supplies while protecting national security and the environment – as well as making a down payment on curbing climate change. The Alliance receives funding for these programs from corporate contributions and grants from foundations and government agencies.
Alliance Headquarters and Staff
Located in Washington, D.C., our headquarters were designed and outfitted to achieve the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) Silver certification, a designation of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The certification was received in 2008 after a two-year retrofit project involving extensive design and remodeling work with builders, engineers, architects and Alliance Associates. This included installing an integrated system of energy-efficient lighting hardware and software, optimizing the HVAC distribution system, purchasing materials with recycled content and re-using furnishings and materials. Office tours are available.
The Alliance’s staff of about 80 in Washington, D.C., and other U.S. locations, as well as supporting staff in countries throughout the world, includes economists, engineers, financial experts, public policy professionals and others who bring a wealth of experience in the private and public sectors to the organization.
