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Industry Leaders Interview: Christine McEntee

Christine McEntee is the executive vice president and chief operating officer of The American Institute of Architects (AIA). This month she speaks with e-FFICIENCY News about the AIA’s goal to create carbon neutral buildings, extend tax deductions for the built environment, and integrate the design, construction and maintenance of our country’s buildings.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: Can you briefly tell our readers about AIA’s mission, how it has evolved over the years and how this mission relates to energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings?

McEntee: We pride ourselves as being the voice of the architectural profession and the resource for its members in service to society. For the past 150 years, AIA members have worked to create healthy, safe, and well-designed structures and communities. In recent years, as society has paid closer attention to the threat of global warming and the environmental and economic benefits of energy-efficient practices, we have embraced these principles and incorporated them into our public policy positions. We believe that architects must be environmentally responsible and advocate for the sustainable use of resources. To this end, we encourage energy conservation as it relates to the built environment and support governmental and private sector programs and incentives in an effort to promote sustainable architecture. And as we prepare for the new Congress, our legislative agenda includes a number of issues related to energy efficiency in both federal and commercial buildings and we look forward to working with Congress and the related federal agencies to see our agenda carried out. Read the full interview

Nominate a Star of Energy Efficiency

The Alliance to Save Energy invites organizations and individuals to submit nominations for the 2007 Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards. These prestigious awards honor those who have demonstrated a significant and tangible commitment to the cause of energy efficiency. This year’s awards will be presented September 20, 2007 in Washington, DC at the Alliance’s Annual Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency dinner and awards ceremony. Visit the Alliance website for more information and the nomination form .

2006 World Energy Outlook Offers Prescription for Change

World government leaders have the choice to set a global energy policy course that will reduce overall energy demand and drastically curb harmful greenhouse gas emissions. This course is outlined in a recently released report – The World Energy Outlook 2006 – by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and offers a compelling look at a sustainable energy future that can be accomplished by instituting measures and polices already under consideration by many countries. More ...

Greening Our Nation’s Capital

Washington, DC may soon become the first major city to require private developers to meet green building code standards. A bill passed this month would require all commercial development of 50,000 square feet or more, as well as significant renovations of older buildings in the District of Columbia, to achieve U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED certification starting in 2012. In addition, all new District-funded commercial projects, including schools, would have two years to meet the new proposed green standards.

What is Your Degree of Energy Efficiency?

Take the 6 Degrees of Energy Efficiency Challenge. In November, the Alliance, together with the American Gas Association and 28 other Power is in Your Hands partners, launched the “6° of Energy Efficiency Challenge”. This national effort teaches that simple energy-saving behavior can result in increased comfort at home, a better environment, greater energy security and significant economic savings.

Oprah, Al Gore and Energy Efficiency

Former Vice President Al Gore appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show this month to discuss how individual energy efficiency actions can have an impact on climate change. Gore even went to a local hardware store to show how shopping smart for things like compact fluorescent light bulbs, programmable thermostats, furnace filters and ENERGY STAR products can offset pollution while saving consumers money. Oprah’s show also featured a green grocery guide and holiday tips to reduce waste.

Fuel Economy Rises for Select Automakers

According to a new report issued by the Consumer Federation of America, only two automakers – Toyota and Ford – increased U.S. fuel economy from 1996 to 2005. The report indicates that car sales fell 3 percent while rising 58 percent for SUVs and trucks. Over the ten year period, industry-wide fuel economy rose 2 percent (to 25.4 mpg), far below the 30-35 mpg level suggested by many advocates and likely to be considered by the newly elected Congress.

Key Building Leaders Tackle Climate Change

Business leaders representing the building sector have joined together in an effort to address the harmful effects the industry continues to have on climate change. In a special meeting at the 2006 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, members from The American Institute of Architects (AIA), U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning (ASHRAE), Architecture 2030, and 20 other leaders formally adopted ‘The 2030 Challenge’ The initiative calls for all new buildings and major renovations to reduce fossil fuel energy consumption by 50% immediately, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

Clean Energy Initiative Passes in Washington

In November, voters in Washington State approved a measure establishing a renewable energy standard that could save consumers over $1 billion on electricity bills by 2025. Initiative 937 requires the state’s largest utility companies to supply 15 percent of their sales from renewable sources by 2020 and adopt low-cost, energy-efficiency practices. The initiative also is expected to create jobs, generate millions of dollars in new income, investment, and taxes for the state as well as significantly reduce CO2 emissions.

Government Agencies Consider Plug-In Hybrids

In light of ongoing energy concerns, many state and local governments are launching pilot programs to test the feasibility of converting their car and truck fleets to plug-in hybrids (PHEV). The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority recently solicited bids for nine plug-in vehicles. If the trial succeeds, the state will convert the over 500 hybrids it owns into plug-ins. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District also began a three-year test to determine the cost effectiveness of converting its fleet to PHEVs.

Super Powers on Sci-Fi

The Sci-Fi channel recently announced it would donate air time to promote the Alliance to Save Energy’s popular Super Powers public service announcement . With the segments also airing on the new CW network, this makes eight cable and broadcast networks that have provided donated air time for the Super Powers spots.

EPA Recognizes Freight Industry

The EPA has recognized 24 companies and organizations for their contributions to energy efficiency and the environment by awarding the first ever Smartway Excellence Awards. Recipients were selected for their participation in the SmartWay Transport Partnership , a program designed to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution by developing fuel-saving and energy-efficient practices in the freight industry. The 450 partner companies are on pace to save over $1.2 billion in fuel costs and remove more than 4 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2007.

The Great Energy Efficiency Day Returns

The Great Energy Efficiency Day (GEED) is back. This yearly gathering of the nation’s top government and industry leaders will be held in Washington, DC on February 14, 2007 at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. Topics for this year’s event include discussions led by the computer and utility industries, perspectives from members of the 110th Congress, perspectives on the role of electric utilities in meeting future energy needs, and much more. As always, there is no charge for admission. Be sure to check the GEED website regularly for the updated agenda and registration information.

Around the Alliance

The Alliance would like to welcome the following new Associates this month:

The Alliance would like to welcome Aleisha Khan as its new Director of BCAP. Ms. Khan comes to the Alliance from Portland Energy Conservation Inc. – one of the preeminent organizations in the U.S. promoting building commissioning and performance standards. Khan has a rich background in both energy-efficiency policy and technical solutions in the building sector.

And, meet the employees of the month for November and December!

Kelly Guhanick (November) – Kelly recently joined the Alliance as a full-time employee. After working a year supporting multiple departments, she was promoted to Program Associate - Communications, Policy, Corporate & Foundation Relations. In this capacity, she has risen to the challenge, exceeding all expectations. Thanks for all the hard work, Kelly.
Adam Hudson (December) – Adam, the Alliance’s Internet, E-mail and Communications Program Manager, just completed a months-long migration of our information and resources to a new database. This will allow the Alliance to integrate our communication and online activities in a more efficient and effective manner. None of this would have been possible without his many late nights and furious dedication.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: January 2007

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