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Energy-efficient buildings, whether new or existing, lessen our nation's energy use.

Essential to Efficiency

Buildings consume 40 percent of all energy used in the United States and are responsible for nearly 40 percent of domestic carbon dioxide emissions. Efficient buildings reduce the speed and severity of global warming, lessen demand on the power grid, decrease stress on natural gas supplies, improve local air quality and save consumers money. Efficient features may be either embedded in new buildings or added to existing buildings through energy retrofits.

New Buildings

The design phase of a new building is the best opportunity to embed long-term energy savings into the building. Major improvements in building efficiency are often accomplished through stronger efficiency requirements in building codes. More on building codes.

Existing Buildings

With less than 1.5 percent of the U.S. building stock built new each year, improving existing buildings is critical to improving building efficiency overall. Energy retrofits, which upgrade equipment and seal the envelope of existing buildings, can save building inhabitants up to 20 percent on their utility bills. Still, participation in retrofit programs remains low. Financial support and technical assistance from all levels of government can help drive energy efficiency retrofits.

EE Noon

EE Noon: Influencing the Energy Efficiency Market in Buildings and the Private Sector

January 26, 2011 - 12:00pm - 1:00pm
1850 M St NW, 20036 Washington, District Of Columbia
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Michigan Utilities Help Customers Save Energy and Money

Date: Jan 11, 2011

All across Michigan, electric and natural gas utility customers are reaping the benefits of energy efficiency. As a result of Michigan’s 2008 Renewable Energy Act, utility companies statewide have been offering efficiency programs to their customers since November 2009.

According to a new report, these energy efficiency programs have exceeded expectations, and will result in lifetime savings of $404 million to utility customers. Michigan’s success demonstrates the potential of energy efficiency utility programs backed by state legislation.

All across Michigan, electric and natural gas utility customers are reaping the benefits of energy efficiency. As a result of Michigan’s 2008 Renewable Energy Act, utility companies statewide have been offering efficiency programs to their customers since November 2009.

DOE Webinar: National Residential Efficiency Measures Database Unveiled

January 18, 2011 - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Online
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Green California Schools Summit Advances Energy Efficiency

Date: Jan 10, 2011

From Dec. 8 – 10 at the Pasadena Convention Center in California, hundreds of leaders in environmental education came together for the Green California Schools Summit and Expo, appropriately themed, “Green Schools: More Important than Ever.”

From Dec. 8 – 10 at the Pasadena Convention Center in California, hundreds of leaders in environmental education came together for the Green California Schools Summit and Expo, appropriately themed, “Green Schools: More Important than Ever.”

Energy Efficiency at Home and “On the Go” Can Ease Pain of Cold Weather, Rising Gas Prices, Advises Alliance to Save Energy

Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
January 7, 2011

Winter’s chill pervades much of the nation, and escalating gas prices are putting their own chill down the spines of U.S. consumers.

Federal Tax Credits Provide Additional Relief

For Further Information
Ronnie Kweller (202) 530-2203 (O); rkweller@ase.org

SEEA 2010 Recap

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January 1, 2011

The opportunities for saving energy in this region are great, which is why the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance cultivates a culture of energy efficiency practiced by businesses, communities and individuals in the Southeast.
Here is a recap of The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance's accomplishments in 2010. 

The opportunities for saving energy in this region are great, which is why the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance cultivates a culture of energy efficiency practiced by businesses, communities and individuals in the Southeast.

Take a look at the recap of SEEA's accomplishments in 2010. 

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Efficient Lighting: View From a New Dad with a Middle-Class Budget

Date: Jan 06, 2011

As many know, in 2007, then-President George W. Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which contained a provision that would enact new lighting efficiency standards for light bulbs, transitioning the country away from the traditional incandescent light bulb that most Americans have grown accustomed to and moving toward other lighting, such as compact fluorescents (CFLs). 

As many know, in 2007, then-President George W. Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which contained a provision that would enact new lighting efficiency standards for light bulbs, transitioning the country away from the traditional incandescent light bulb that most Americans have grown accustomed to and moving toward other lighting, such as compact fluorescents (CFLs). 

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Home Star, or Something Like it, is Alive and Well in Delaware

Date: Dec 27, 2010

Despite the failure of Congress to pass the Home Star loan legislation, the state of Delaware as decided that it will proceed on its own with this popular proposal.

 

 

The Home Star loan legislation (H.R. 4785) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 16, 2010, only to fall victim to the fall election cycle and drift off into the wilderness of Congress. Home Star would have provided rebates to homeowners who remodel their homes with energy efficient equipment and materials, potentially saving energy and money for consumers who choose to participate.

Despite the failure of Congress to pass this popular proposal, the state of Delaware as decided that it will proceed on its own.

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Leadership in Energy Management: ISO 50001 and Superior Energy Performance

Date: Dec 22, 2010

On Dec. 8, the Alliance hosted Superior Energy Performance: Leadership in Energy Management, its ninth Capitol Hill briefing as part of the Efficient Enterprises series. The event gathered industrial stakeholders who have been intimately involved in the development of the ISO 50001 Standard and SEP, as well as industry representatives who have piloted SEP in their own plants.

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Congress Extends Tax Credits in Final Days of Session

Date: Dec 17, 2010

On Dec. 17, President Barack Obama signed critical tax legislation that included several important energy efficiency tax incentive extensions that were slated to expire at the end of the year.  The new legislation (H.R. 4853, the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010) includes extensions of the new energy efficient homes credit, the energy efficiency appliance manufacturing credit and the existing home energy efficiency improvement tax credit. 

On Dec. 17, President Barack Obama signed critical tax legislation that included several important energy efficiency tax incentive extensions that were slated to expire at the end of the year.  

The new legislation (H.R. 4853, the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010) includes extensions of the new energy efficient homes credit, the energy efficiency appliance manufacturing credit and the existing home energy efficiency improvement tax credit.

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