2009 GEED: Keynote Speeches
For energy efficiency advocates, there is nothing quite as satisfying as hearing policymakers testify to the critical role this clean, cheap and fast fuel must play in U.S. policy. And so it was at the 2009 GEED, where the inspiring keynote speeches from leaders in both parties and both houses of Congress issued a unanimous confirmation on energy efficiency's capacity to generate a win-win-win for the economy, the environment, and energy security.
Dr. Steven Chu, U.S. Secretary of Energy opened by giving the 'long view' of America's energy future. "For the next decade," he said, "it will be energy efficiency that will help us transition to a sustainable economy and reduce our carbon footprint." His sentiments were in concert with the energy agenda of the new president, who he called "very wise in saying there is a triple win situation: creating jobs through energy efficiency, saving American homeowners money, and cutting CO2 emissions." Part of the challenge, however, will be to transform citizens' idea of what energy efficiency means, and debunk the "false choice between efficiency and comfort" that pervades popular thinking. For this mission, he called upon GEED attendees to help educate consumers and policymakers in order to accelerate this paradigm shift to a new era of clean energy.
Following Secretary Chu, Alliance Honorary Chairman Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) took to the podium to offer his analysis of the energy conundrum. Speaking from a policymaker's perspective, he asserted that energy efficiency – and the policies at the Alliance in particular – "make long-term sense." To support this logic, he gave seven reasons why energy efficiency and energy conservation are essential for the U.S. in meeting future challenges:
- They lower our carbon footprint
- They help us conserve natural resources
- They help our trade deficit
- They are a real national security component
- They are a way to invest at home
- They help create jobs in rural America
- They can help America reestablish global leadership
The Senator agreed with Secretary Chu on the need to ramp up education and awareness. And his outlook is optimistic: "This country has a track record of doing things that people said couldn't be done. Energy efficiency and totally transforming our economy and hopefully the world's economy is one of those things."
Representative Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) – former Alliance Board Member and renowned energy expert – added that the federal government needs to be aggressive in its research and development of clean tech energy and put shelf-ready technology to work. Rep. Tonko, who is on the House Science and Technology Committee and the House Education and Labor Committee, supports advancing the notion of energy efficiency as something to be "mined and drilled like oil and coal."
It seems such progressive concepts are already being realized: Representative Michael Burgess (R-Texas) said in his keynote speech that he has observed a trend toward energy-savvy behavior across his state. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, he is grateful for what he calls "robust discussions" on both sides of the committee, particularly on the issue of cap-and-trade and carbon sequestration. Rep. Burgess called for a continued focus on energy efficiency, which offers real opportunities, "right here, right now."
As Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Alliance Honorary Vice Chair Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) delved into the energy components of federal legislation, particularly the energy efficiency and renewable energy provisions of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The next big assignment is the forthcoming energy bill; to prepare, Congress has held hearings on pertinent topics such as smart grid, building codes, energy portfolio standards and transmissions citing. The Senator reminded the audience about the importance of tax credits to stimulating a market for energy efficiency, saying, "We are depending on the private sector to see the opportunity [in the tax credits] and promote it."
GEED attendees also heard from Representative Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) during the presentation of the day's first Unsung Hero award. The Congressman - who is also Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and a well-known advocate of environmental causes – underscored the connection amongst challenges faced by the economy, the environment and our energy security; energy efficiency, he added, is the least expensive way to address all these. Rep. Waxman forecasted federal action on this front, noting that that House is trying to pass one bill that will address these three issues. He stressed that progress also lies in simply becoming a more energy-efficient society: "If we can be more efficient in our use of energy, we don't have to worry about the kinds of fuel we use; we can save the use of burning any kind of fuel by just being more efficient."
Also presenting an Unsung Hero award was Representative Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.), an Alliance Honorary Vice Chair and enthusiastic supporter of energy efficiency. Rep. Wamp asked audience members to inspire the next generation of energy efficiency advocates and encourage them to "follow the investments...be entrepreneurs in this industry." The Congressman is confident that the solution to the current economic doldrums begins by nurturing "a robust manufacture-driven agenda for energy." On a community level, energy efficiency is a responsibility: "Every single American can take steps to be more energy efficient – that is a challenge we can all assume."
