|
|
Enron Mail |
WELCOME TO e-FFICIENCY NEWS
The bimonthly newsletter from the Alliance to Save Energy October 2000 Vol. 2 No. 5 ******************************** CONTENTS EFFICIENCY NEWS - New Proposed Air Conditioner, Heat Pump Standards Fall Short - Winter Fuel Outlook Bleak, EIA Reveals in New Report - Gains Expected in Federal Budget for Energy Efficiency Programs - Avoid Home Energy $ticker $hock - Energy Heats Up Election - California, New York Make Dramatic Boosts for Energy-Efficiency Funding - EPA, DOE Release Fuel Economy Guide for Energy Awareness Month - Light Up Your Life with ENERGY STAR - Living Efficiently and Affordably - ACEEE Publishes Two New Reports - Chandler Urges Energy Efficiency in Former Communist Countries ALLIANCE NEWS - 'Wha-a-a-s-s-s Up' With Energy Efficiency on TV? - Nemtzow Named Environmental Professional of the Year - 'BestPractices' Steams Ahead HOT LINKS - Department of Energy Launches Internet Gateway - Other Web Sites Worth Visiting EYE OPENERS - Hypercars - a New Design for the New Century EFFICIENCY EVENTS - E-Vision 2000 - Earth Technologies Forum - International Union of Electricity Applications 2000 International Conference - Canada's Energy Efficiency Conference EFFICIENCY PEOPLE - Two Major Energy Players Move Onward - Energy Job Openings ******************************** EFFICIENCY NEWS New Proposed Air Conditioner, Heat Pump Standards Fall Short The new air conditioner energy efficiency standards proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy fall short of what's justified and what's needed to lighten the load on electricity demand, says the Alliance to Save Energy. In a humorous ad campaign developed by the Appliance Standards Awareness project and featuring Energy Secretary Bill Richardson in digitally-inserted sunglasses, energy efficiency advocates, urge strong air conditioner standards. Air conditioners are the largest single contributors to peak electricity demand - an issue the past two summers as peak demands created and threatened blackouts and brownouts in various locations. This proposed legislation is currently in a 60-day public comment period, allowing for input from interested parties, after which the DOE will issue the final rule. http://www.ase.org/media/newsrel/press.htm To see four flaws in the DOE analysis: http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/doeflaws.htm To send an email to Secretary of Energy Richardson urging strong air conditioner standards: http://www.standardsasap.org/accac.htm To view the ad, visit the Appliance Standard Awareness Project at: http://www.standardsasap.org/wpad.pdf -------------------------------- Winter Fuel Outlook Bleak, EIA Reveals in New Report The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts that natural gas prices will increase by as much as 40 to 50 percent for consumers this winter over last winter, or an average of $240 per consumer home, in its Winter Fuels Outlook, released on October 6. Home heating oil prices are expected to rise by $190 per home from last year's already high prices in the Northeast, while electricity prices could increase by as much as 12 percent. Predictions are based on normal winter weather, and prices could escalate even further should the weather prove to be colder than normal. Get the complete EIA report at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/contents.html Check out the Alliance to Save Energy's new white paper web section on energy prices: http://www.ase.org/energyprices -------------------------------- Gains Expected in Federal Budget for Energy Efficiency Programs Holding a strong hand due to concerns over sharply rising energy prices and low winter natural gas and heating oil inventories, and backed by a strong lobbying effort from the Alliance to Save Energy and others, the Clinton administration is expected to win substantial gains for energy efficiency programs in recently concluded negotiations with Congressional appropriators over the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency budget. A total of $814 million is being appropriated for energy efficiency research, development and deployment programs, run by the DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, in increase of $94 million, or 13 percent over the previous budget. For more information: http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/fedbudget.htm Check this link regularly over the next few weeks as we update this information based on Congressional and Presidential action. -------------------------------- Avoid Home Energy $ticker $hock If you thought it was expensive to pay up to $2 a gallon for gas this summer, you'll have continued "$ticker $hock" when your home energy bills arrive this winter with predicted increases. How to avoid it -- check out the Alliance to Save Energy tips to cut home heating oil and natural gas bills. http://www.ase.org/media/newsrel/stickershock.htm Or, check out the Alliance's popular consumer booklet, Power$mart, Easy Tips to Save Money and the Planet. View an animated version online or order your own hard copy. Organizations and companies may also order in bulk, customized for distribution to their members or to the public. To view online: http://www.ase.org/powersmart To order bulk copies: http://www.ase.org/powersmart/order.html To order single, free copies, call the Consumer Information Center toll-free at 1-888-878-3256. -------------------------------- Energy Heats Up Election Each presidential candidate stated his energy policy in the first presidential debate in Boston, MA, on October 3. Vice President Al Gore's plan focuses on increasing supply and decreasing demand, while Texas Governor George W. Bush's plan emphasizes developing domestic energy supplies. The vice presidential candidates faced off in Danville, KY on October 5, both echoing the positions of their presidential running mates. Source: Washington Post For a comparison of the Presidential candidates on energy issues: http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/elections/comparison_energy.htm -------------------------------- California, New York Make Dramatic Boosts for Energy-Efficiency Funding In California, bills signed by Governor Gray Davis last week re-assert California's leadership status on support for energy efficiency and other clean energy sources. Two bills extend California's system benefits charge through 2012, while adding an inflation adjustment, creating more than $5 billion of investment in clean energy from 2002-2012. This may be the largest clean energy fund ever created. A third major bill will speed the adoption of cost-effective buildings and appliance standards. These measures are expected to maximize peak energy savings for the summer of 2001, and to lessen future energy reliability problems. To see complete bill texts: http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_1151-1200/sb_1194_bill_20000831_enrol led.html http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0951-1000/ab_970_bill_20000831_enroll ed.html And in Los Angeles, the City Council approved a 10-year power plan that will meet roughly half of the 1000 megawatts of new power capacity with renewable energy sources, distributed generation, and demand side management. http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/losangeles.htm The New York State Public Service Commission has proposed increasing the state's System Benefits Charge from its current $78 million to $139 million per year, and extending it for five years. About 70 percent of the current $78 million is used for energy efficiency programs. If this formula holds, efficiency funding would increase to about $97 million - an 80 percent increase from current levels. Energy advocates are seeking SBC funding closer to the $200 million level. For more information: http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/nycalif.htm For the full report: http://www.dps.state.ny.us/SBC_Proposal.PDF -------------------------------- EPA, DOE Release Fuel Economy Guide for Energy Awareness Month Kicking off Energy Awareness Month in October, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy issued the latest version of the Fuel Economy Guide. Including the 2001 model year, this guide ranks the fuel efficiency of vehicles in various class sizes. The Toyota Prius and Honda Insight currently top the list for fuel efficiency. http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases00/octpr/pr00247.htm -------------------------------- Light Up Your Life with ENERGY STAR ENERGY STAR's Lighting Change Out program takes place this week. A first-time event involving utilities and retailers across the U.S., the program encourages consumers to trade in halogen lamps for cooler, ENERGY STAR labeled, efficient models. Each halogen torchiere that is replaced by an ENERGY STAR torchiere can save $25-$50 per year in energy costs. For more information: http://www.epa.gov/energystar/changeout/ For event sites: http://www.epa.gov/appdstar/estar/changeout/events.html -------------------------------- Living Efficiently and Affordably The U.S. Department of Energy has partnered with the housing industry through the Building American Program to build affordable, highly energy-efficient homes throughout the U.S. The Fairburn Commons complex in an Atlanta suburb opened with 33 units, each of which will cost less than $1/day to heat and cool. http://www.doe.gov/news/releases00/seppr/pr00240.htm Meanwhile, the National Affordable Housing Network released a report on new energy-efficient, affordable homes built in Texas. Built in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, these 40 homes use up to 42 percent less energy than an average new home. Reduced monthly energy bills are particularly critical for low-income residents. http://www.nahn.com/txrep.htm -------------------------------- ACEEE Publishes Two New Reports Check out the latest report and study by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). National and State Energy Use and Carbon Emissions Trends and ACEEE 2000 Summer Study highlights. http://www.aceee.org/new/index.htm -------------------------------- Chandler Urges Energy Efficiency in Former Communist Countries William Chandler, senior staff scientist and director, Advanced International Studies at Alliance Associate Pacific Northwest Laboratories, urges governments to do more to promote energy efficiency in the formerly communist countries in his new book, Energy and Environment in the Transition Economies. http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/chandler.htm ******************************** ALLIANCE NEWS 'Wha-a-a-s-s-s Up' With Energy Efficiency on TV? The advertising agency that produced the Budweiser frogs and hot and much-quoted "Wha-a-a-s-s-s Up" (What's Up) TV commercials is in the process of producing new TV and radio public service ads (PSAs) for the Alliance to Save Energy which will be completed and distributed to stations in late November. The new ad begins filming next week. http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/newpsa.htm -------------------------------- Nemtzow Named Environmental Professional of the Year David M. Nemtzow, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, was named Environmental Professional of the Year by the Association of Energy Engineers, National Capital Chapter, for his work with the Alliance and his contributions to the local energy industry throughout the past year. -------------------------------- 'BestPractices' Steams Ahead Steam system managers: Are you concerned about the anticipated increases in fuel oil and natural gas bills this winter? Find out about the BestPractices Steam workshops, produced by the Alliance to Save Energy and hosted by utility companies at various locations. http://www.oit.doe.gov/bestpractices/steam/steam.shtml ******************************** HOT LINKS Department of Energy Launches Internet Gateway The U.S. Department of Energy recently launched its Energy Information Portal designed to expand citizen access to the department's online information and services. This new, easy-to-use consumer-friendly site provides hundreds of links energy content on health, the home, transportation, schools, businesses, the community, world and future. http://www.energy.gov -------------------------------- Other Web Sites Worth Visiting Energy Central www.energycentral.com Federal Consumer Information Center http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/ ******************************** EYE OPENERS Hypercars - a New Design for the New Century Ever heard of a Hypercar? Energy efficiency expert Amory Lovins, and his Rocky Mountain Institute, have developed a design for an ultra-light hybrid car that, according to Lovins, could get as high as from 90 to 200 miles per gallon. http://hypercarcenter.org ******************************** EFFICIENCY EVENTS E-Vision 2000 The Department of Energy will host a conference on October 11-13, 2000, entitled E-Vision 2000: Key Issues That Will Shape Our Energy Future. http://www.rand.org/centers/stpi/events/index.html -------------------------------- Earth Technologies Forum Conference on Climate Change and Ozone Protection, October 30-November 1, 2000, Washington, D.C. http://www.earthforum.com -------------------------------- International Union of Electricity Applications 2000 International Conference Electricity for Sustainable Urban Development, Lisbon, Portugal November 1-4, 2000 http://www.edp.pt/uie/index.html -------------------------------- Canada's Energy Efficiency Conference Canada's Energy Efficiency Conference, Awards and Trade Show 2000, Ottawa, Canada, October 10-12, 2000 http://wwwoee.nrca.gc.ca/conference ******************************** EFFICIENCY PEOPLE Two Major Energy Players Move Onward Two key players in the energy efficiency world will be leaving their current positions at two of the top energy organizations. Scott Sklar of the Solar Energy Industries Association and Roby Roberts of Renewable Energy Policy Project and the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology move on to new ventures. Geller will head ACEEE through next spring. http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/movingon.htm -------------------------------- Energy Job Openings Looking for a position in the energy non-profit field? There are several positions available, including: Alliance to Save Energy Director of Development Transition Country Program Manager Media Relations/Publicist http://www.ase.org/about/humanr.htm American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Transportation Director http://www.aceee.org/job/trnsdir.htm Sustainable Energy Coalition Coordinator http://www.americangreen.org/index.html ******************************** CONTACT US Need to reach someone at the Alliance to Save Energy? Check out our staff listings by name and by area of expertise. http://www.ase.org/about/staff.htm -------------------------------- This e-mail newsletter is sent bimonthly to anyone interested in energy-efficiency issues. Maria Y. Lima, Editor, mailto:mlima@ase.org David Nemtzow, Publisher, nemtzow@ase.org To be removed from this list, do not reply to this message. Instead, send a message to: mailto:Majordomo@lists.ase.org In the body of the message type in "unsubscribe e-fficiencynews" (without the quote marks). Do not include any other message in the body, including your signature file. If a friend has forwarded this message to you and you'd like to get it yourself, send us a message at: subscribe@ase.org -------------------------------- Do you have news you'd like to share with us? Do you have comments about e-FFICIENCY NEWS? We'd enjoy hearing from you. Send your news and comments to mailto:mlima@ase.org. Alliance to Save Energy 1200 18th St., NW, Suite 900 Washington, DC 20036 202/857-0666 info@ase.org www.ase.org/
|