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Sound policy can break down barriers to energy efficiency at the local, state, regional and national levels. The Alliance promotes energy efficiency policies that are meaningful, politically viable and implementable.

Critical to the Solution

Barriers to energy efficiency — including the need for upfront capital investment, lack of consumer awareness and highly-subsidized prices for fossil fuels — often prevent even the "low-hanging fruit" from being picked. Fortunately, sound energy policy can break through these barriers and transform market conditions to create an energy-efficient nation.

Realizing energy efficiency's greatest potential is key component of the Alliance's mission and effective policy is a critical part of the solution. To achieve this goal, the Alliance Policy Team, which includes a research group and a government relations group, focuses on three main tasks:

  • Policy formulation and analysis;
  • Policy advocacy; and
  • Education of policymakers, consumers and the media.

2011 Wrap Up

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Alliance 2011 Wrap Up.pdf
2011 Wrap-Up
February 24, 2012

2011 marked year two in the Alliance to Save Energy's self-proclaimed "Decade of Energy Efficiency." This four-page PDF highlights the Alliance's biggest accomplishments in 2011 and includes a personal letter from Alliance President Kateri Callahan.

2011 marked year two in the Alliance to Save Energy's self-proclaimed "Decade of Energy Efficiency." This four-page PDF (see above) features the Alliance's biggest accomplishments in 2011 and includes a personal letter from Alliance President Kateri Callahan. Highlights from the PDF include:

FY 2013 Federal Energy Efficiency Programs Funding – President’s Budget Request

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EE_funding_chart_FY13-President2-13-12b.pdf
The White House
February 21, 2012
Lowell Ungar

See how President Barack Obama prioritizes energy efficiency with this chart, which summarizes the president's FY 2013 budget request. The chart also compares the FY 2013 request with past requests and appropriations.

On Feb. 13, 2012, the Obama Administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 budget proposal. The president's budget proposal doubles down on key energy efficiency programs, despite the budget ax taking aim at many programs in both the domestic and defense arenas. The budget proposal also seeks to leverage the economic gains created by energy efficiency programs to create jobs, enhance U.S.

Topics: Policy
Programs: Policy and Research Program
Resource Type: Policy Summary

Smart Energy Act: Section-by-Section Summary

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HR4017_Section_by_Section.pdf
US Capitol
February 15, 2012

A summary of the Smart Energy Act (H.R. 4017), which was  introduced on February 14, 2012  by Reps.  Bass (R-N.H.), Matheson (D-Utah), Dold (R-Ill.), Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Welch (D-Vt.)  and Barrow (D-Ga.), to promote efficient energy use in the federal and private  sectors.

The following is a summary of the Smart Energy Act (H.R. 4017), which was introduced on February 14, 2012  by Reps. Bass (R-N.H.), Matheson (D-Utah), Dold (R-Ill.), Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Welch (D-Vt.) and Barrow (D-Ga.), to promote efficient energy use in the federal and private sectors.

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Rulemaking for PACE: Comment Period Open for Residential Efficiency Financing Model

Date: Feb 15, 2012

In response to a lawsuit challenging efforts to block residential property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing, a court ordered an official rulemaking process for PACE that includes a public comment period until March 26.

A court-ordered rulemaking process for residential, property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing began in late January 2012 in response to a lawsuit challenging the Federal Housing Finance Administration (FHFA)’s decision to effectively block residential PACE. The process begins with a 60-day comment period.

Bipartisan Bass-Matheson Bill Advances Energy Efficiency Agenda

Bipartisan Bass-Matheson Bill
Author: 
Ronnie Kweller
Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
February 15, 2012

The bipartisan energy efficiency bill introduced Feb. 15 by House Energy and Commerce Committee members Reps. Charles Bass (R-N.H.) and Jim Matheson (D-Utah) would help create private sector jobs, improve economic competitiveness and reduce our nation’s energy use, according to the Alliance to Save Energy.

March 5, 2012 Update: Since introducing the Smart Energy Act, Reps. Charles Bass (R-N.H.) and Jim Matheson (D-Utah) have been actively pursuing prospects for advancing the legislation through the House Energy and Commerce Committee and onto the House floor for a vote. As a first step, both congressmen advocated that the House Energy and Power Subcommittee schedule the measure for a hearing.

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Discussing Prospects for Energy Efficiency in 2012 with Sen. Mark Warner

Date: Feb 14, 2012

At a recent Policy Perspectives breakfast event, newly elected Alliance Honorary Chair Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told Alliance Associates that they should not get into the mindset that "nothing is going to get done" this election year.

“The challenge this year is to not get into the conventional mindset that this is an election year so nothing is going to get done,” said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), newly elected Alliance Honorary Chair, at a recent breakfast event with Alliance Associates. At the Feb. 8 event – part of the Alliance’s Policy Perspectives series – Warner explained the critical impetus for moving the energy efficiency agenda forward in the upcoming year. 

Alliance Hails President’s Robust Energy Efficiency Budget

Alliance Hails President’s Robust Energy Efficiency Budget
Date: 
February 12, 2012

President Obama’s 2013 budget gives financial muscle to his State of the Union energy efficiency message, the Alliance to Save Energy said today. If Congress approves the president’s allocations, the United States will be able to better achieve the triple promise of energy efficiency – a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and energy security.

Washington, D.C., February 13, 2012 – President Obama’s 2013 budget gives financial muscle to his State of the Union energy efficiency message, the Alliance to Save Energy said today. If Congress approves the president’s allocations, the United States will be able to better achieve the triple promise of energy efficiency – a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and energy security.

Topics: Policy
Blog Type: Policy News
Programs: Communications Program
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EE Global: Admission Now Includes Exclusive Pre-Conference Workshops

Date: Feb 13, 2012

Author(s): 
Peggy Littleton

EE Global 2012 will offer attendees six free workshops that will be held just before the conference begins. Across two sessions on Tuesday, March 27, the pre-conference workshops will cover topics ranging from electricity access in the developing world to industrial energy efficiency. 

EE Global 2012 will offer free workshops that will be held just before the conference begins on Tuesday, March 27. EE Global attendees can choose two of the six exclusive pre-conference workshops, which will cover topics ranging from electricity access in the developing world to industrial energy efficiency.  

Energy Efficiency: A Tool for Climate Change Adaptation, an Alliance White Paper

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ASE-EE_A_Tool_For_Climate_Change_Adaptation.pdf
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February 6, 2012
Lowell Ungar

The Alliance has just released a report highlighting how energy efficiency and related demand management measures – which have long been used as tools for avoiding climate change – can also help the energy sector adapt to the impacts of climate change. This white paper examines how integrating energy efficiency and demand management into adaptation planning can provide greater reliability and resiliency to the grid.

Abstract

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President Obama Embraces Energy Efficiency in 2012 State of the Union

Date: Jan 27, 2012

In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama described his vision for “an America built to last” that makes efficiency a solid cornerstone of the equation. Throughout his speech, the president touched upon ways the U.S. economy could improve through energy efficiency.

In his State of the Union address on Jan. 24, 2012, President Barack Obama described his vision for “an America built to last” that makes efficiency a solid cornerstone of the equation. Throughout his speech, the president touched upon ways the U.S. economy could improve through energy efficiency.

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