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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.

Summary of Energy Efficiency Provisions in ACELA

Person Giving Speech
June 24, 2009

This is a summary of the energy efficiency provisions in the American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009 (ACELA). ACELA is a counterpart bill to the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES), the combined energy and climate bill recently passed by the House of Representatives.

The following is a summary of the energy efficiency provisions in the American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009 (ACELA). ACELA is a counterpart bill to the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES), the combined energy and climate bill recently passed by the House of Representatives. ACELA does not presently incorporate climate change legislation. This summary is based on the text of the bill as reported by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and subsequently amended in June 2010.

EE Noon

EE Noon: iPods vs. the Environment: The Real Story Behind Green American Consumers

June 23, 2009 - 12:00pm - 1:00pm
1850 M Street, NW, 20036 Washington, District Of Columbia
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iPods vs. the Environment: The Real Story Behind Green American Consumers

Date: Jun 23, 2009

On July 23, 2009, over 40 professionals from the energy and environmental industries gathered at the Alliance's DC offices for its latest EE Noon session. The session featured Suzanne Shelton, President CEO of Shelton Group, a Tennessee-based ad agency and Alliance Associate.

On July 23, 2009, over 40 professionals from the energy and environmental industries gathered at the Alliance's DC offices for its latest EE Noon session. The session featured Suzanne Shelton, President CEO of Shelton Group, a Tennessee-based ad agency and Alliance Associate.

Homeowners Can Cut Federal Income Taxes up to $1,500 and Reduce Home Energy Bills with Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

Author: 
Ronnie Kweller
Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
June 18, 2009

Homeowners can enjoy the “triple crown” of energy efficiency – lower home energy bills, lower federal income taxes, and increased home comfort – by making energy efficiency home improvements that qualify for up to $1,500 in federal income tax credits.

www.energytaxincentives.org

Washington, D.C., June 2009 – The Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) urges U.S. homeowners to enjoy the “triple crown” of energy efficiency – lower home energy bills, lower federal income taxes, and increased home comfort – by making energy efficiency home improvements that qualify for up to $1,500 in federal income tax credits.

Alliance Praises Bipartisan Senate Energy Bill for Strengthening Building Energy Codes, Increasing Industrial Energy Efficiency

Author: 
Ronnie Kweller
Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
June 17, 2009

The Alliance commends the bipartisan leaders of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for reporting out a comprehensive energy bill

Washington, D.C., June 17, 2009 – The Alliance to Save Energy today commended the bipartisan leaders of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for reporting out a comprehensive energy bill that includes strengthened building energy codes that would save $8.6 billion in residential and commercial properties' energy costs by 2020 (based on 2006 energy prices), among other important energy efficiency provisions.

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Sustainable Design in India

Date: Jun 17, 2009

The Alliance has been working with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on projects under the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate’s Buildings and Appliances Task Force (APP-BATF). One of the Task Force’s goals is to promote high-performance buildings through outreach and training in the use of building simulation tools, and through the promotion of technologies and best practices for net-zero energy buildings, building performance measurement and benchmarking and market transformation.

The Alliance has been working with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on projects under the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate’s Buildings and Appliances Task Force (APP-BATF). One of the Task Force’s goals is to promote high-performance buildings through outreach and training in the use of building simulation tools, and through the promotion of technologies and best practices for net-zero energy buildings, building performance measurement and benchmarking, and market transformation.

Businesses, Builders, Commercial Tenants, Appliance Makers Can Lower Their Federal Taxes with Energy-Efficiency

Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
June 5, 2009

Business owners, residential and commercial property builders, and commercial building owners and tenants who increase the energy efficiency of their properties can enjoy lower federal income tax bills, advises the Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP), a coalition of public interest nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other entities that promote energy-efficiency.

Washington, D.C., June 2009 – Business owners, residential and commercial property builders, and commercial building owners and tenants who increase the energy efficiency of their properties can enjoy lower federal income tax bills, advises the Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP), a coalition of public interest nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other entities that promote energy-efficiency.

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Alliance Webinar on Waxman-Markey Bill

Date: Jun 03, 2009

Author(s): 
Lowell Ungar

On Wednesday May 27, the Alliance Policy Team held a webinar for Alliance Associates on the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) of 2009, the climate and energy bill that was favorably reported on May 21, 2009 by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

On Wednesday May 27, the Alliance Policy Team held a webinar for Alliance Associates on the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) of 2009, the climate and energy bill that was favorably reported on May 21, 2009 by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

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New Project and Website Shed Light on Federal Tax Incentives

Date: Jun 03, 2009

Founded by the Alliance, the American Council  for an Energy Efficient Economy and supporting organizations, the Tax  Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) recently launched a new website  providing timely tax credit information.

Founded by the Alliance, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy and supporting organizations, the Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) recently launched a new website providing timely tax credit information.

Consumers, businesses and builders alike may ask, "Do I qualify for an energy efficiency tax credit?"

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An Historic Week for Energy Efficiency in the U.S. – A Report And Summary

Date: May 27, 2009

Author(s): 
Kateri Callahan

This week will prove history-making in terms of federal action to drive energy efficiency throughout the American economy.

This week will prove history-making in terms of federal action to drive energy efficiency throughout the American economy. In addition to the very important policies announced by the president to increase vehicle fuel economy and reduce tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions (and previously reported by the Alliance), today the House Energy & Commerce Committee is poised to report carbon "cap and trade" legislation that employs energy efficiency as a foundation for taking on global climate change.

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