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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.

Broad Coalition Seeks Significantly Higher Federal Funding For Key, Effective Energy-Efficiency Programs

Date: 
February 9, 2006

The Alliance to Save Energy has joined a broad-based effort to restore funds for key energy-efficiency programs at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency.

Washington, D.C., February 9, 2006 – Finding the Bush Administration’s FY 2007 federal budget request out of sync with its rhetoric about weaning the nation off its oil addiction – and with the urgent need to address record energy costs and related security and environmental concerns – the Alliance to Save Energy has joined a broad-based effort to restore funds for key energy-efficiency programs at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency.

Administration’s FY ’07 Budget Request Ignores Potential for Energy Efficiency to Address Today’s High Energy Prices, Tight Supplies

Date: 
February 6, 2006

In a remarkable ‘about face,’ the president and his top energy lieutenant have submitted a budget request that slashes funding for federal energy-efficiency programs.

Washington, D.C., February 6, 2006 – “In a remarkable ‘about face,’ the president and his top energy lieutenant, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, have submitted a budget request that slashes funding for federal energy-efficiency programs after spending the past several months extolling the potential for energy efficiency to address the severe economic, energy security, and environmental issues surrounding the nation’s energy use,” Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan stated today.

2005 Dinner

2005 Stars of Energy Efficiency Award Winners

October 20, 2005 - 8:00pm - 10:00pm
401 F Street NW, Washington, District Of Columbia

Bipartisan Group of House Members, Alliance to Save Energy Call for ‘Energy Efficiency Cornerstone Act’ to be Incorporated into Comprehensive Energy Bill

Date: 
June 28, 2005

Reps. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.), in partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy, today sent the clear message to prospective House energy bill conferees that energy efficiency must be a cornerstone of U.S. energy policy by introducing The Energy Efficiency Cornerstone Act (EECA).

Washington, D.C., June 28, 2005 – Reps. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.), in partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy, today sent the clear message to prospective House energy bill conferees that energy efficiency must be a cornerstone of U.S. energy policy by introducing The Energy Efficiency Cornerstone Act (EECA).

Senate Finance Committee Provides 10 Times as Much in Tax Incentives for Energy Efficiency as House Energy Bill, Says Alliance to Save Energy

Date: 
June 15, 2005

The Senate continues its march toward adoption of a more balanced and stronger energy bill than crafted by the House.

Washington, D.C., June 15, 2005 – “The Senate continues its march toward adoption of a more balanced and stronger energy bill than crafted by the House, with the proposal of an energy tax package that splits $16.1 billion in incentives almost evenly among energy efficiency; renewables and alternative energy; and fossil fuels, nuclear and electric infrastructure,” Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan noted upon release of the Senate Finance Committee energy tax package.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005

US Capitol Building
July 5, 2005

Following more than four years of debate, 2005's Energy Policy Act was the first new comprehensive energy bill since 1992. The House of Representatives passed the conference report to The Energy Policy Act of 2005 on July 28 by a vote of 275-156; the Senate followed suit the next day, voting 74-26 in favor of the bill; and President Bush signed the bill into law on August 8, 2005.

Following more than four years of debate, 2005's Energy Policy Act was the first new comprehensive energy bill since 1992. The House of Representatives passed the conference report to The Energy Policy Act of 2005 on July 28 by a vote of 275-156; the Senate followed suit the next day, voting 74-26 in favor of the bill; and President Bush signed the bill into law on August 8, 2005. Several important energy-efficiency provisions were included to help Americans save money and energy while reducing pollution.

32 Business and Environmental Groups Urge Congress to Restore Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Funding Proposed for Cuts by White House

Author: 
Ronnie Kweller
Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
April 22, 2005

In a letter delivered today, thirty-two member groups of the Sustainable Energy Coalition urged Congress to restore funding the White House is proposing to cut in the U.S. Department of Energy's Fiscal Year 2006 energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE) programs. The letter was sent to the Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives serving on the respective Energy & Water Subcommittees of the congressional Appropriations Committees.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In a letter delivered today, thirty-two member groups of the Sustainable Energy Coalition urged Congress to restore funding the White House is proposing to cut in the U.S. Department of Energy's Fiscal Year 2006 energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE) programs. The letter was sent to the Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives serving on the respective Energy & Water Subcommittees of the congressional Appropriations Committees.

Natural Gas Price Reduction Act of 2005

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April 15, 2005

On April 6, 2005, Senators Lamar Alexander (D-TN) and Tim Johnson (D-SD) introduced two bills to address natural gas prices: the Natural Gas Price Reduction Act of 2005, S. 726, which was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; and, the Tax Incentives for the Natural Gas Price Reduction Act of 2005, S. 727, which was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

On April 6, 2005, Senators Lamar Alexander (D-TN) and Tim Johnson (D-SD) introduced two bills:  the Natural Gas Price Reduction Act of 2005, S. 726, which was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; and, the Tax Incentives for the Natural Gas Price Reduction Act of 2005, S. 727, which was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  The 300-page legislation attempts to address four issues impacting natural gas prices: energy efficiency, fuel diversity, natural gas supply, and, natural gas infrastructure.

Alliance to Save Energy Seeks ‘Global Blueprint’ to Catalyze Energy Efficiency in Buildings Worldwide

The “Global Blueprint for Energy Efficiency in Buildings” workshop focuses on the pressing worldwide need for greater energy efficiency and sustainable development in the buildings sector, which consumes 40 percent of the world’s raw materials, 40 percent of the world’s energy, and 16 percent of the world’s fresh water supply.  The unique two-day workshop, convened by the Alliance to Save Energy, will highlight and study policies and programs that have speeded market development of energy-efficient building practices around the world.

The “Global Blueprint for Energy Efficiency in Buildings” workshop focuses on the pressing worldwide need for greater energy efficiency and sustainable development in the buildings sector, which consumes 40 percent of the world’s raw materials, 40 percent of the world’s energy, and 16 percent of the world’s fresh water supply. The unique two-day workshop, convened by the Alliance to Save Energy, will highlight and study policies and programs that have speeded market development of energy-efficient building practices around the world.

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