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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.
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Google to Discontinue PowerMeter Energy Use Display Utility

Date: Jun 30, 2011

As of September 2011, Google will discontinue PowerMeter, a tool that allowed users to track their energy consumption online. Though not the first of its kind, the PowerMeter platform provides a simple means for energy data monitoring devices to display consumption.

As of September 2011, Google will discontinue PowerMeter. Though not the first of its kind, the PowerMeter platform provides a simple means for energy data monitoring devices to display consumption online.

Acknowledging that the tool was a trailblazer in the energy monitoring market, Google nonetheless said PowerMeter did not get enough users to warrant continuing it.  Google also is terminating its Google Health project, which helped people organize and access their medical information.

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Sens. Shaheen, Portman’s Energy Efficiency Bill: How it Would Affect Industry

Date: Jun 29, 2011

The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011 (ESICA) would increase the use of energy efficiency technologies in the industrial sector of our economy.

By Rachel Damery

On May 12, 2011, Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced a new energy efficiency bill to Congress. The new bill, called the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011 (ESICA), would increase the use of energy efficiency technologies in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors of our economy, while fostering job creation.

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Federal Sustainability Scorecards: An Overview of a Program ‘Leading by Example’

Date: Jun 29, 2011

Author(s): 
Allyson Schmutter

For the first time ever, the federal government publicly released agencies’ OMB scorecards on energy and sustainability performance. These scorecards established agency benchmarks for targeting and tracking the best opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce pollution and eliminate waste.

  • Photo: State Department scorecard; see full card here.

For the first time ever, the federal government publicly released agencies’ OMB scorecards on energy and sustainability performance. These scorecards – released on April 19, 2011 – established agency benchmarks for targeting and tracking the best opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce pollution and eliminate waste.

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Mayors Put Energy Efficiency First, Says Siemens Survey

Date: Jun 24, 2011

Despite economic hardships, cities throughout the United States are planning to invest in energy-efficient technology, according to a survey by Alliance Associate Siemens Industry Inc. 
 
Despite economic hardships, cities throughout the United States are planning to invest in energy-efficient technology, according to a survey by Alliance Associate Siemens Industry Inc. 
 
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Letter from the President’s Desk: Energy Efficiency Award Winners and Appliance Standards Get an A+

Date: Jun 15, 2011

As students around the country are receiving honors and accolades in this graduation season, it is fitting that we’ve chosen this month to announce the Alliance to Save Energy’s “shining star” award winners for 2011! 

Dear Friends,

As students around the country are receiving honors and accolades in this graduation season, it is fitting that we’ve chosen this month to announce the Alliance to Save Energy’s “shining star” award winners for 2011! 

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British Government Announces New Carbon Budget Proposal and Other News from the UK

Date: Jun 14, 2011

In May 2011, the British government released a proposal to cut national carbon emissions in half for the period 2023 to 2027 as part of longer-term targets which requires the U.K. to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% (relative to 1990 levels) by 2050.

On May 17, 2011, the British government released a proposal to cut national carbon emissions in half by 2027. Parliament will soon vote on the proposal, which was accompanied by an extensive policy statement.

Obama Remarks at Alliance Associate Cree Emphasize Power of Energy Efficiency to Create Jobs, Keep America Competitive

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Date: 
June 13, 2011

Washington, D.C., June 13, 2011 – “By choosing Alliance to Save Energy Associate Cree – a prominent manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting – as the venue for his jobs speech today, President Obama once again emphasized the importance of energy efficiency in fueling our nation’s economic recovery and training U.S. workers for high-skilled jobs,” commented Alliance President Kateri Callahan.

Washington, D.C., June 13, 2011 – “By choosing Alliance to Save Energy Associate Cree – a prominent manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting – as the venue for his jobs speech today, President Obama once again emphasized the importance of energy efficiency in fueling our nation’s economic recovery and training U.S. workers for high-skilled jobs,” commented Alliance President Kateri Callahan.

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Alliance Urges Congress to Pass Legislation to Lower Energy Costs

Date: Jun 10, 2011

Alliance President Kateri Callahan testified on June 9, 2011, before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in support of two bills that address the United States’ energy challenges with increased energy efficiency.

Alliance President Kateri Callahan testified on June 9, 2011, before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in support of two bills that address the United States’ energy challenges with increased energy efficiency: S.1000, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness (ESIC) Act of 2011,  and S. 963, the Reducing Federal Energy Dollars Act of 2011.

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Blueprint for DOE Features Energy Efficiency

Date: Jun 09, 2011

On May 10, 2011, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu released the Department of Energy’s Strategic Plan, a comprehensive blueprint to achieve the agency's core mission of providing energy solutions to the United States’ energy and environmental challenges.

On May 10, 2011, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu released the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Strategic Plan, a comprehensive blueprint to achieve the agency's core mission of providing energy solutions to the United States’ energy and environmental challenges.

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Letter from the President’s Desk: Calling on Senate Committee to Support Energy Efficiency Bill

Date: Jun 06, 2011

The Alliance policy team has been working  to line up support for the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee hearing.

 Dear Friends,

Our policy work is really heating up here in Washington, along with the weather! After last month’s introduction of the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (S. 1000), the Alliance policy team has been working doggedly on the Hill to line up support in advance of the June 9 Senate Energy & Natural Resources (ENR) Committee hearing.

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