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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.

Testimony Regarding the Energy Policy Act of 2005

February 8, 2005
Kateri Callahan

Testimony of Alliance President Kateri Callahan before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality regarding the Energy Policy Act of 2005, February 10, 2005.

Introduction

Successful Negotiations on Commercial AC Energy Efficiency Particularly Welcome at Time of Record-High Energy Prices, Says Alliance to Save Energy

Author: 
Ronnie Kweller
Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
November 12, 2004

Statement by Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan

Washington, D.C., November 12, 2004 – “The agreement between energy efficiency advocates and air conditioner manufacturers for a 26 percent increase in commercial air conditioner energy efficiency is especially welcome at a time of record-high energy costs that are squeezing all sectors of our economy,” Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan said today.

Alliance Seeks Strong Energy-Efficiency Standards in Upcoming Regulations

Author: 
Ronnie Kweller
Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
July 29, 2004

“After delays of up to 12 years, the Alliance to Save Energy is pleased that the U.S. Department of Energy has begun the formal process for issuing energy- efficiency standards for major residential and commercial appliances and equipment,” said Alliance President Kateri Callahan about today's Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

Washington, DC, July 29, 2004 – “After delays of up to 12 years, the Alliance to Save Energy is pleased that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has begun the formal process for issuing energy efficiency standards for major residential and commercial appliances and equipment,” said Alliance President Kateri Callahan about today's Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANOPR).

Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives in the Senate "FSC/ETI" bill

Efficient Buisness
July 7, 2004

Summary of energy efficiency provisions in the Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) bill of 2004, S. 1637

Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) bill, S. 1637

Senate Action: S. 1637 passed the Senate on 5/11/04 by a vote of 92 to 5. The energy tax package had been included in this corporate tax bill in a substitute amendment, S. Amdt. 3011, adopted by unanimous consent on the floor. An attempt to strike the energy tax package failed by a vote of 13 to 85.

House Action: The House bill, H.R. 4520, does not contain the energy tax package. It passed the House on 6/17/04.

Improving Federal Energy Management

The White House
June 24, 2004

The federal government is the nation’s single largest energy consumer. In 2006, the federal government consumed about 1.5 quadrillion Btu’s of energy (1.5% of US energy consumption) at a cost of $17.7 billion. American taxpayers paid $6.5 billion annually just to heat, cool, and power the federal government’s more than 500,000 buildings and facilities.

The federal government is the nation’s single largest energy consumer. In 2006, the federal government consumed about 1.5 quadrillion Btu’s of energy (1.5% of US energy consumption) at a cost of $17.7 billion. American taxpayers paid $6.5 billion annually just to heat, cool, and power the federal government’s more than 500,000 buildings and facilities.1

Energy Efficiency Impact on Industrial Steam Operations

Efficiency in industry can benifit steam operators
June 3, 2004

Low cost measures that lessen the impact of the natural gas shortage by cutting energy use by at least 10 percent.

U.S. industries that use steam systems can easily lessen the impact of the natural gas shortage and escalating prices with simple, low-cost measures that will cut their energy use by at least 10 percent. Even better, virtually all of the efficiency gain comes from techniques with a financial payback of two years or less. Each year, U.S. industry consumes approximately 17.9 quadrillion Btu (quads) of fuel, including 4.03 quads of natural gas for powerhouses that generate steam and electricity.

Efficient Energy Through Certified Technologies and Electricity Reliability (EFFECTER) Act of 2004

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Efficient Energy Through Certified Technologies and Electricity Reliability Act of 2004.pdf
1040 Tax Form
May 27, 2004

Efficient Energy Through Certified Technologies and Electricity
Reliability (EFFECTER) Act of 2004
S. 23ll / H.R. 4206
The bill includes energy efficiency tax incentives based on provisions included in an
earlier bill by the same sponsors (S. 507); in the Senate energy tax bill (S. 1149), and in the
“comprehensive” energy bill (H.R. 6) conference report. It also includes some energy efficiency
policy provisions and electric reliability standards from H.R. 6.

Efficient Energy Through Certified Technologies and Electricity
Reliability (EFFECTER) Act of 2004
S. 23ll / H.R. 4206

Senate Introduction: S. 2311 introduced 4/8/04.

Energy Star Fact Sheet

Energy Star helps consumers identify energy efficient appliances
May 24, 2004

 Read about a successful, cost-effective and popular program to save energy, and why it deserves more government support.

Increase Funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Program

FY09 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations EPA and Energy Star

What is Energy Star?

Senate-Passed Energy-Efficiency Tax Incentives Benefit Consumers, Environment, National Security, Says Alliance to Save Energy

Author: 
Ronnie Kweller
Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
May 12, 2004

“The Senate’s passage of energy-efficiency tax incentives is a huge step forward for U.S. consumers, the environment, and national security,” said Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan. “With consumers now planning summer vacations and powering up their air conditioners, we urge the House to follow suit and provide relief from record gasoline prices and high electricity bills.”

“The Senate’s passage of energy-efficiency tax incentives is a huge step forward for U.S. consumers, the environment, and national security,” said Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan. “With consumers now planning summer vacations and powering up their air conditioners, we urge the House to follow suit and provide relief from record gasoline prices and high electricity bills.”

Energy Conservation vs. Energy Efficiency: What's the Difference?

Energy Efficiency means building smarter homes
May 4, 2004

Energy efficiency is a far cry from the energy conservation images and practices of old - of doing with less or doing without, of being uncomfortable or less comfortable.

The OPEC oil embargo and related energy shortages and gas lines in the 1970s…

The President of the United States sitting in a cardigan asking all Americans to turn down their thermostats and industries to run factories at partial capacity…being somewhat less comfortable…

Sacrificing…

These are such graphic images of energy and national security in the American consciousness that they often are the first thoughts that come to mind when the words "energy conservation" are heard.

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