Great Energy Efficiency Day 2012 - Part I: The Business of Energy Efficiency

Date: May 21, 2012

Leaders of top U.S. and multinational organizations declared energy efficiency a boon for business at the Alliance’s Great Energy Efficiency Day – Part I (GEED I) on May 16, 2012 in Washington, D.C. Nearly 200 people gathered at the forum to hear and participate in the VIPs’ discussion, which highlighted energy efficiency’s unique ability to fatten the bottom line across a variety of industries. In addition to business leaders, speakers included members of Congress who called on fellow policymakers to follow the business community’s lead by passing policies to save Americans energy and money.

“GEED I affirmed that energy efficiency is the ‘sweet spot’ and ‘safe space’ on national energy policy where CEOs and policymakers – and Republicans and Democrats – can all come together to do good things for our country,” said Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan.

Making the Business Case for Energy Efficiency

Representitives of diverse industries shared why energy efficiency is important to their businesses and gave suggestions for legislators to improve energy policy.

American Chemistry Council President and CEO and former U.S. Representative Cal Dooley (D-Calif.) urged public officials to use awareness campaigns to “create a constituency that understands the benefits they get from energy efficiency.” Educated constituents are more likely to support their representatives’ energy-saving policies.
Business Roundtable President and former Governor John Engler (R-Mich.) advised energy advocates to tout energy efficiency’s ability to create jobs and save money in order to convince policymakers that energy efficiency as a “must have” in legislation.
Edison Electric Institute President Thomas Kuhn reminded listeners that effective energy efficiency policy is “not all about the federal level – it’s the states where a lot of the action is, especially for the gas and utility industries.”
American Gas Association President and CEO and former U.S. Representative Dave McCurdy (D-Okla.) said that to really drive energy efficiency in Congress, policies need the backing of “a diverse group of stakeholders.”

Policy Perspective: Setting Aside Partisanship, Agreeing on Energy Efficiency

Three members of Congress discussed the key to advancing energy efficiency on Capitol Hill: bipartisanship.

Alliance Board Chair Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.)

“Every business is looking for ways to be more competitive and productive. But now, it’s more about not just doing good, but doing well in terms of the bottom-line ROI,” Warner said in a keynote address. He told advocates to focus energy policy discussions on the topic of efficiency because it’s easy for Democrats and Republicans to stand behind. In addition, he believes reframing energy efficiency as energy “productivity” (i.e., a way to increase production while saving money) would do much to drive the conversation forward.

Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

“The big challenge is that the country needs a new energy policy,” but policymakers are getting caught up in “ideological battles,” Welch told GEED I attendees in his keynote address. But Welch has faith that policymakers can overcome this challenge by focusing on energy efficiency, which is “politically advantageous for both sides” of the political aisle. Welch added that bipartisan legislation like the HOMES Act – which he co-sponsored to help Americans afford energy-efficient home improvements – represents “common ground” for both major political parties: saving energy and creating jobs.

Alliance Honorary Vice-Chair Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, (D-N.H.)

In a members-only Policy Perspectives luncheon immediately following GEED I, Shaheen said she hopes the deadlocking partisan debates on Capitol Hill will end so the United States doesn’t get left behind other countries moving toward a “new energy economy.” She told the audience of energy leaders from around the country that a national, bipartisan energy policy like the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S.1000) is crucial to global U.S. competitiveness, and that her colleagues in Congress will work together to pass energy efficiency legislation when their constituents demand an end to the uncompromising behavior of extremism.

Callahan noted that public policies and business invesments helped the United States double its rate of energy productivity across the Alliance to Save Energy’s 35-year history, and GEED I discussions will help the new Alliance Commission on National Energy Efficiency Policy identify policies to double that rate again across the next two decades.

Sharing Energy Efficiency Best Practices for Businesses

In a discussion moderated by Maria Vargas, U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge director and senior program advisor, industry experts discussed how energy efficiency is increasing profitability, productivity and security for their businesses and gave recommendations for others to follow suit.

William Johnston, Schneider Electric’s energy solutions program manager noted that Americans have limited bandwidth for information, and he advised businesses to give their customers “clean, digestible” facts on energy efficiency that are quick to process.
Susan Rochford, Legrand’s vice president of energy efficiency, sustainability & public policy suggested that solid reporting practices are the foundation for profitable energy-saving projects. Firms can use reliable outcome data and benchmarking to mold programs toward profitability.
Ken Roden, Nissan North America’s energy team facilitator said building relationships with other companies “is vital to our continuous improvement,” and collaboration with energy-efficient organizations is key for innovation and productivity.
John Taylor, LG’s government relations and communication vice president said staff engagement in energy efficiency boosts productivity. LG’s internal sustainability program uses a monthly newsletter, face-to-face talks and employee surveys on energy-saving behaviors.

Advocating for Energy Efficiency on Capitol Hill

Armed with the information from the day’s activities, energy efficiency advocates met with members of Congress and their staffs in 16 offices in the House of Representatives and Senate on both sides of the political aisle, including the offices of Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.), Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.). The advocates – all Alliance Associate members – espoused the benefits of initiatives like S.1000, the Smart Energy Act, and tax incentives for energy-efficient home improvements.

The advocacy effort was part of GEED I’s annual “Congressional Education Day.”

About GEED

In its ninth year, the May 16, 2012 GEED I was sponsored by Johns Manville, Legrand, LG and Schneider electric. GEED I was the first of a two-part series; Great Energy Efficiency Day - Part II will occur on Oct. 3 in tandem with the Alliance’s annual Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards.

More on GEED and related events:

2012 GEED Part I event page
May 16, 2012 blog post from the American Chemistry Council on GEED Part I
October 2011 Summit on Capitol Hill event page, including an event summary on driving energy efficiency as the “next big thing,” as well as photos, videos and presentations
February 2011 GEED event page, including news articles on promoting energy efficiency on Capitol Hill and the Alliance’s Unsung Hero’s Awards
February 2011 Congressional Education Day news article on advocating for energy efficiency in Congress