The Alliance Celebrates Energy Awareness Month
Although the Alliance to Save Energy celebrates Energy Awareness Month throughout the year, this October marked several major advancements.
Originally started as Energy Awareness week in 1981, the event was extended to encompass the entire month of October by President George H.W. Bush. In 2009, President Obama revitalized the proclamation, dedicating National Energy Awareness Month to addressing global environmental concerns and to promoting a clean energy economy. The Obama administration hopes Energy Awareness Month will be a turning point, leading to a transformation of the United States as the largest oil importer to the country with the highest exportation of clean energy technology.
Alliance Around Town
The Alliance has been active in leading an energy efficient month with the launch of Living Efficiently, a new consumer website; securing video space on New York City’s Times Square CBS Super Screen; and covering the nation’s winter heating bills forecast. As part of efforts to honor Energy Awareness Month, several Alliance staff members conducted a variety of presentations addressing how organizations can cut costs by reducing their energy use.
Communications: Motivating the National Guard to Embrace Energy Efficiency
The National Guard assists the country during natural disasters, monitors terrorist activity and patrols peacekeeping missions. They now have another task — safeguarding soldiers from wasting energy. On Oct. 13, Alliance Director of Communications Susan Shuckra and Media Relations Director Ronnie Kweller spoke with National Guard members in Washington, D.C., about ways the Guard can combat energy inefficiency.
The presentation detailed methods for saving money both in soldiers’ homes and on the road, while also educating soldiers on the array of tax credits available for energy-efficient home improvement. Audience members were presented with the Six Degree Test , which examined their knowledge of energy efficient solutions. This test generated not only discussion but interestn simple ways to save money and energy.
Policy: American Gas Association Seeks Energy Efficiency Information in Federal Policy
Brad Penney, Alliance Director of Government Relations, provided a presentation for the American Gas Association on the status of energy efficiency in the political realm: Role of Energy Efficiency in Federal Policy. According to Penney, the presentation helped American Gas Association professionals gain a newfound awareness of political issues that could “translate into new business opportunities” for member companies.
Addressing the effectiveness and advantages of renewable energy, the presentation offered a glimpse into some of the challenges energy efficiency faces from policymakers who do not prioritize energy issues and from federal budget constraints. Penney also stressed the advantage of energy efficiency in helping the nation’s economy and the environment.
Development: Pathways to Save Energy with Duke University
Reaching out directly to students is a great way to engage young people in energy efficiency. So on Nov. 4, Alliance Executive Vice President of Programs and Development Brian Castelli presented Pathways to Save Energy at Duke University. The presentation highlighted reasons to practice energy efficiency and the benefits of integrating sustainability into building construction and maintenance.
Using an illustrated chart, Castelli described energy’s direct effect on greenhouse gas emission and examined how business buildings waste energy. The presentation also featured the benefits of energy sustainability, as well as the available rebates and potential cost savings attributable to energy efficiency upgrades.
