Gas Prices Could Spike to Record Highs in 2005, Reports Washington Post
 "It's not going to be like raindrops. It's going to be like an anvil falling on the consumer in the next 40 days." said Tom Kloza, chief analyst for the Oil Price Information Service in the Washington Post. Kloza was speaking of price increases at the gas pump brought about by a combination of rising demand, colder weather, the declining value of the dollar, and fears that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries could rein in production to head off a seasonal drop in demand. More. Also: Slate.com asks: Will the energy race be to the 21st century what the arms race was to the 20th? What is your car's MPG? Use this Miles per gallon calculator
Policy
Johnson/Holt ‘Truth in Advertising’ Bill Would Benefit U.S. Consumers, Increase U.S. Energy Security,
Says Alliance to Save Energy
 “It’s an open secret that gas mileage rates posted on new cars are outdated and overstate vehicle fuel economy," said Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan, "because they are based on out-dated testing procedures that don’t reflect real-world driving.” More.
Alliance Moves Closer to Introducing Vision 2010: Comprehensive Energy-Efficiency Legislative Package
The Alliance policy team and president spent much of the month of February on Capitol Hill, meeting with senators, representatives and their staffs to educate them about “Vision 2010,” the package of energy-efficiency policy recommendations being developed by the Alliance which could form the basis of a comprehensive energy efficiency bill for consideration in the 109th Congress. Vision 2010 includes policy recommendations to reduce energy waste in residential and commercial buildings, industrial facilities, vehicles, and electricity and natural gas use. The Alliance estimates that enactment of the comprehensive energy efficiency measures it is developing could result in significant energy savings within the next five years, as well as even greater long-term impacts on energy use. Vision 2010 is generating interest from both Republican and Democratic members of congress, and the Alliance is working hard to complete work on Vision 2010 so that it can be translated into legislation as the Congress proceeds to consider national energy policy. Check the Alliance's policy section periodically for bill information. 
Alliance President Kateri Callahan (right) publicly introduced Vision 2010 to the House of Representatives when she testified before the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee February 10. She emphasized to the subcommittee that though the Alliance strongly supports the energy-efficiency provisions included in the conference report to H.R. 6, congress must also adopt legislation such as Vision 2010 in order “to expand and enhance H.R. 6 provisions so that full potential of energy efficiency can be unleashed to lower demand and extend our energy supplies.” Read her testimony
President Nominates Scientist as EPA Administrator
 President Bush proposed elevating Stephen Johnson (left), acting head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to the top job March 4. Johnson, a career government employee who has been with the agency for 24 years, had become its temporary head six weeks before. More.
Energy Codes
Alliance Defeats Energy Code Rollback
Energy-efficiency advocates sported this sticker on their lapels. |
The Alliance defeated an attempt to roll back energy-efficiency provisions for residential insulation and efficient windows with the help of Associates NAIMA and Cardinal Glass and the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy at the International Energy Conservation Code hearings in Cincinnati last month. These energy-efficiency gains were made last year for the 2004 IECC supplement but were opposed by a coalition led by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). After a vigorous debate, the IECC committee voted to reject the NAHB rollback. The stakes were high, because without these cost-effective efficiency provisions, a half-quad of energy savings and more than $7 billion in consumer benefits would be lost. For more information, contact the Alliance's Harry Misuriello.
ACEEE Study Confirms Value
Of National Energy Code Improvements
The 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will save about 500 trillion Btus and more than $7 billion in homeowner energy bills over a 30-year period, according to a new study released by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). This is about the same amount of energy used by all home air conditioning systems annually. More.
Alliance Associates
Alliance Welcomes New Associates
The Alliance welcomes the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and the Trane Company to the ranks of its Associates. See which companies joined the Associate program in 2005.
Alliance Associates Whirlpool, Sears
Win Honors for Energy Efficiency
 The EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) named Whirlpool Corporation as an Energy Star Partner of the Year for
 Jeff Terry | Whirlpool's outstanding contribution to making and promoting energy-efficient products that reduce utility bills and greenhouse gas emissions and also for its work on behalf of Habitat for Humanity International. More. Also: read an
e-FFICIENCY NEWS Exclusive interview with Jeff Terry, manager, Habitat for Humanity for Whirlpool Corp.
 Alliance Associate Sears was among 20 businesses, government agencies, and institutions recognized by Flex Your Power Energy Efficiency Awards. "I hope the Flex Your Power Award winners inspire all Californians to use energy more wisely," said Commissioner Susan P. Kennedy of the California Public Utilities Commission. More.
Alliance News
Alliance Seeks Nominations
For Star of Energy Efficiency
The Alliance to Save Energy invites individuals, companies, and organizations to enter its 2005 Star of Energy Efficiency Awards competition. These prestigious awards honor those who have demonstrated a significant and tangible commitment to the cause of energy efficiency and/or contribution to the energy security of our nation. This year’s awards will be bestowed on Thursday, October 20 in Washington, D.C. at the Alliance to Save Energy’s 13th Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency black-tie dinner and awards ceremony. Nomination form.
Alliance, Pelangi Train Hotel Staff
To Make Sites More Energy-Efficient
Hotel staff are trained to implement the energy audit's recommendations. |
The Alliance and its partner in Jakarta, Indonesia, Pelangi, trained more than 70 hotel management, finance, and engineering staff to implement recommendations from energy audits conducted in their hotels in October 2004. The Twin Plaza Hotel and the Graha Wisata Kuningan Hotel are two of the three pilot hotels participating in the Alliance’s hotel training program, aimed at promoting awareness of energy efficiency benefits within Jakarta hotels. More.
Alliance Opens Oakland, Calif., Field Office
 The Alliance recently established a field office to house two new California-based staff members. Senior Program Manager Jo Tiffany manages and Program Associate Andy Coghlan supports the California Green Campus Program. The new office (right) is in a converted Victorian house located in downtown Oakland. More.
Green School's Earth Apple Awards
To Be Presented March 10
The coveted Earth Apple |
Congressional representatives and staff and leaders in energy education will join the Alliance in a special event to recognize the winners of the Alliance's 2003 - 2004 Earth Apple Awards Program. Winners include San Gorgonio High School of San Bernardino, California, Baldi Middle School of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Burrel Elementary School of Burrel, California. More information: Kerry Quinn
Manage Your Alliance Newsletter Account
You can subscribe or unsubscribe to Alliance newsletters and add information that will allow the Alliance to customize the emails you receive. Manage your account. |
Rising Star—Energy Star Awareness
Jumps to 64 Percent 
Consumer awareness of the Energy Star label jumped to 64 percent in 2004—an 8 percent increase over 2003, according to the fifth such national study by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency. In areas where Energy Star is promoted through local utilities and other organizations, public awareness was even higher, averaging 74 percent. EPA reports that in 2004, Americans saved $10 billion on their energy bills and reduced emissions equal to that of 20 million cars with the help of Energy Star-qualified products. Read the press release or the entire report.
e-FFICIENCY NEWS Exclusive Interview:
Bob Dixon
 Bob Dixon is the senior vice president and global head of Energy Services and Solutions at Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. Siemens helps companies all over the world upgrade their buildings and building components to make them more comfortable, safe, secure, and energy-efficient. Dixon joined the Alliance Board in 2005 and also currently serves as the president of the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO). He talked with e-FFICIENCY NEWS at length about a breadth of topics, including the efforts of Siemens to alleviate the suffering of the victims of last year's tsunami.
e-FFICIENCY NEWS:Could you begin our conversation today with a brief summary of the Energy Services Solutions business division of SBT – how long has it been in existence; what services and products are provided, where are your markets?
Bob Dixon |
Bob Dixon: Siemens Building Technologies has been involved in energy efficiency for well over a hundred years. The early foundation of our business was controlling building systems that consumed energy and doing it efficiently. Specifically, the energy services and solutions business was founded that in a late 1994 and got underway a primarily in the North American markets in 1995. Our projects include a wide range of deliverables, based upon customer needs. In many cases we implement industry standard energy efficiency measures, for example updating outdated lighting systems using new technologies, improving the efficiency of boiler and chiller systems, and looking at building infrastructure of areas that can positively affect energy efficiency. Full Interview. Also: Siemens helps county to trim energy bill with system upgrade
Become the Millionth Person To
'Take The ColdWater Challenge'
This map shows that more than 730,000 people have taken the Challenge. Have you? |
The Alliance to Save Energy and Alliance Associate Procter & Gamble are urging the nation's consumers to "Take the Plunge" and take the ColdWater Challenge—switch to washing laundry in cold water to save money and energy—up to $63 a year and as much as 692 kwh, or 6.9 million Btus. More than 730,000 people have already taken the challenge at www.coldwaterchallenge.com. The millionth person to take the challenge will get a pleasant surprise. But even if you're not the millionth person, your action will generate:
- Sample from P&G of its new Tide Coldwater detergent.
- No-cost/low-cost money- and energy-saving tips (Español) provided by the Alliance as part of the campaign's consumer education focus.
- Financial assistance to help needy people in your area pay their energy bills.
Power Interruptions Cost U.S. $80 Billion a Year
| The picture formerly in this space was a manipulated image. e-FFICIENCY NEWS apologizes for perpetuating the hoax. |
Electric power outages and blackouts cost the nation $80 billion annually, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers estimate. Prompted by the Northeast blackout of 2003, the report reveals, surprisingly, that momentary interruptions of five minutes or less were responsible for $52 billion, or two-thirds of the overall cost. Outages longer than five minutes cost the nation another $26 billion. Link to News Release.
Cities Take the Lead
Seattle Mayor Brings Kyoto Treaty Message Home
Mayor Nickels addresses the U.S. Conference of Mayors. |
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels called upon mayors nationwide to meet the emissions limits set in the Kyoto Protocol Treaty in their own urban centers, even if their federal government will not. Mayor Nickles made his announcement February 16, the same day the Kyoto Protocol Treaty went into full effect in 141 nations but not in the United States. Ten cities have already signed up to join his “green” coalition, and Nickels aims for more when he brings his urban climate protection agenda to the June Conference of Mayors. Press Release.
San Francisco Power Co-op
Makes Energy-Efficiency ‘House Calls’
 One way of getting people to save energy is to do it for them for free—that’s the thinking behind the San Francisco Community Power Cooperative. As part of the group's “Efficiency on Wheels” campaign, staff come to residents’ doors and install three motion detector lights to reduce energy bills and improve security at no cost to the consumer. They also install programmable thermostats. Look at the Co-Op's flyer or check out the San Francisco Community Power Cooperative web site.
MIT Announces $125K Clean Energy Biz Competition
MIT has called upon the nation’s most business- and environment-savvy entrepreneurs to design top-notch clean energy technology business plans for its $125K Business Presentation Competition for Clean Energy Technologies. Contestants are limited to four clean-energy categories, including energy efficiency and electrical grid response, and green buildings and systems. More.
Transportation
IRS Rules on More Hybrids,
Boosts Mileage Rate Allowance
Three more hybrids qualify for clean-fuel vehicle tax deductions of up to $2,000—the 2005 Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, and Honda Accord Hybrid. These cars join the Ford Escape and Toyota Prius in earning the tax deduction. But hurry; only $500 can be deducted for hybrids bought in 2006 and nil after that.
Due to record-high fuel costs this past fall, the IRS has set its own record—the largest-ever year-to-year increase in business mileage rates for tax deductions, from 37.5 cents a mile in 2004 to 40.5 cents a mile. Mileage rates for medical or moving expenses also went up a penny from 14 to 15 cents. Hybrid news release. IRS mileage rate increase news release.
ACEEE Evaluates Road's ‘Greenest,’ ‘Meanest’
Which SUV is the most fuel-efficient in its class? Which truck is the least polluting? Check out the Green Book Online interactive database from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). It evaluates all 2005 models and issues “Green Scores” based on analysis of unhealthy tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and global warming impact. More.
World Round-Up
UK OK’s Car Labels
Cars in the UK will sport color-coded labels to help buyers assess climate change impacts and fuel efficiency. Manufacturers have voluntarily agreed to grade all new vehicle models, from “A” to “F,” based on levels of harmful carbon emissions, and to highlight each car's estimated fuel costs and efficiency—based road taxes. Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership News Release.
China—Next Model of Energy Efficiency?
 Faced with 9.5 percent economic growth and a 17.5 percent increase in the use of crude oil and refined petroleum products in a single year, China’s leaders are putting energy conservation at the heart of their economic “five-year plan,” reports Dow Jones Newswires. China’s Ministry of Construction’s goal is to boost new buildings' efficiency by 65 percent by 2020 and slash the use of non-renewable resources by 30 percent. Read the Dow Jones article or this second source. Official Chinese news release. Read the vice minister of construction’s speech.
Green—Spring Season’s Fashion Color in Tokyo
This spring, Tokyo’s department stores are banding together in the name of clean air instead of stiletto heels. Kanto Department Stores Association has developed a first-of-its-kind program in which suppliers consolidate all deliveries for each store into one drop-off instead of many. This is expected to cut the volume of delivery vehicles clogging Tokyo's streets by 50 percent in Tokyo and reduce CO2 emissions by 4,000 tons per year, according to Japan for Sustainability. More.
Canadian Government Unveils Green Budget
Canada's new flag? |
"This budget is so green it should have been announced on St. Patrick's day," Mark Rudolph of the Clean Air Renewable Energy Coalition said of the newly released Canadian federal budget. Ottawa plans to spend some $2.4 billion on new environmental initiatives. At the center of the eco-money is an $805 million Clean Fund that will distribute funds for private-sector projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. More. |
