Letter from the President's Desk: EE Global, Energy Star Awards, Clean Energy Ministerial
Dear Friends,
As I write today, much of the Alliance team remains flung across Europe taking well-earned breaks following the huge success of EE Global, which wrapped up last week in Brussels. And, while many – including Capitol Hill – are on spring break, I thought it fitting that I use this letter to recognize and celebrate a number of important, recent accomplishments by the Alliance and its allies and Associates.
14 Alliance Associates Win Energy Star Awards!
Last week EPA bestowed the 2011 Energy Star Awards, and it was no surprise to me that so many Alliance Associates and Board member companies were featured among the award winners!
In particular, I’d like to congratulate the Board members whose companies received the “Sustained Excellence” award as it is one that recognizes a long-standing and continuing commitment to energy efficiency. Alliance Board members represented fully ½ of the “Sustained Excellence” winners and include 3M, NYSERDA, Osram Sylvania and PG&E.
I’d also like to give a “shout out” to all 14 (yes, that’s right – 14!) Alliance Associates, plus one parent company of an Associate, that also won one of the prestigious Energy Star awards this year. You can learn more and see a picture of the 3M award winners here.
EE Global’s Resounding Success
There was electricity in the air at this year’s EE Global in Brussels as we welcomed hundreds of delegates from 37 countries around the world, hopefully including you. But, if you weren’t able to be on hand for this seminal event, you can still get the “insiders’ scoop” by checking out the EE Global daily newsletters.
One of the highlights of the event was the energy efficiency makeover of the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium’s 230-year-old residence. Transforming this beautiful, historic home into a showcase of 21st century energy efficiency made the concepts, best practices, ideas, solutions and technologies discussed at the conference come alive for all of the attendees, speakers and media on hand.
This was our fourth year hosting EE Global, and I can proudly say it was the best one yet. EE Global has “grown up” to become more than just a conference, it truly is a forum for building partnerships and networks, finding solutions, and gaining the insights and know-how to make one successful in whatever energy efficiency endeavors are being pursued. EE Global would not exist but for the incredible support of our sponsors year after year. A big thank you goes to all of our sponsors, but in particular to the founding sponsors Schneider Electric, Siemens, and Whirlpool. I hope you will make plans to join them and us for the next EE Global!
Clean Energy Ministerial in Abu Dhabi
Right before EE Global in Brussels, I was at the second annual Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM2) in Abu Dhabi. There, I joined Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and the world’s top energy ministers, government officials, business leaders and NGO experts in roundtable discussions about a global transition to a clean energy economy.
At a time when serious issues in the Middle East and around the world are affecting energy supplies and prices, the Clean Energy Ministerial offered an enormous opportunity to speak candidly, and at a high level – much like at EE Global – about the urgent need to bring energy efficiency to the forefront in areas such as technology research and development, utility regulations and government investment. Read more about the Abu Dhabi discussions and plans for the third CEM, which will be held in London next year.
In Closing
As we move toward the start of the summer driving season, my eye is on the prices at the pumps. With prices continuing to rise sharply, policy makers' interest in "driving" energy efficiency surely will increase along with consumer’s interest in finding ways to save.
We are focused on using this “educable moment” to its fullest advantage, and we ask that you join us in our important advocacy and consumer efforts.
Happy spring to all,
Kateri Callahan
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