Washington, D.C., January 12, 2010 – Dr. Arthur H. Rosenfeld, the recognized "father of energy efficiency," concludes his remarkable and important 10-year tenure this week as a member of the California Energy Commission. His post at the commission is but a final leg in a career at the forefront of the energy efficiency movement since 1973 – a movement that is currently saving Americans more than $700 billion each year on their energy bills.

"When Art Rosenfeld recognized the inefficiencies underlying the 1973 oil embargo and energy crisis, he transformed both this country’s and the world’s views of energy efficiency," says Alliance Executive Vice President Brian Castelli. "Art is a visionary, a leader and a teacher; and I am proud to be able to work in the field he so aptly designed."

"I can vouch from personal experience," observes Alliance Vice President for Programs Jeff Harris, who previously worked with Rosenfeld, "that for more than three decades Art has been a superb mentor to hundreds of people in government, industry, research centers and nonprofit organizations working to make the United States and the world more energy-efficient – and an inspiration to thousands more."

In recognition of Rosenfeld’s career and achievements, the Arthur H. Rosenfeld Chair in Energy Efficiency is being established at the University of California, Davis, through contributions by Rosenfeld’s many friends and admirers.

"The Alliance to Save Energy is proud to contribute to the Arthur H. Rosenfeld Chair in Energy Efficiency," notes Alliance President Kateri Callahan. "Helping to endow a chair that will make it possible for others to follow in Art’s esteemed footsteps will keep his accomplishments and important legacy alive in perpetuity."

Rosenfeld has been the recipient of countless awards and recognition throughout his career. Of note, in 2006, then-U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman awarded Rosenfeld the Enrico Fermi Award, one of the most prestigious science and technology awards presented by the U.S. government.

Rosenfeld’s current passion is "cool roofs." Reducing the amount of solar energy absorbed by a roof saves energy (and CO2 emissions) by helping to keep the building cooler and reducing the local "urban heat island" effect on surrounding buildings.

On a global scale, the benefits of cool roofs are enormous: Rosenfeld estimates that replacing all roofs in latitudes from Chicago to Sydney, Australia, with white or cool-colored roof products would be equivalent to taking one-half of the world’s passenger cars off the road for 20 years or getting a 20-year reprieve from global warming.

When asked what he plans to do after retirement, Rosenfeld says, "I'm going to accept the kind offer of an office at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and continue to push white roofs in warm climates."

Clearly, even with his impending January 13, 2010, retirement from the California Energy Commission, Rosenfeld's passion for energy efficiency will endure.

"Art’s decision to continue to apply his incredible talent and energy to the field of energy efficiency is welcome news for energy efficiency advocates everywhere," says Callahan, in congratulating Rosenfeld on his career.

"Like energy efficiency, Art is the ‘gift that on keeps on giving,’" she adds, "and I for one can’t wait to see the good things that come from this next phase of his career!"