DOE AND DISNEY/PIXAR TEAM UP IN ENERGY SAVING CAMPAIGN
A nationwide campaign to promote energy efficiency through a television spot based on the upcoming Disney/Pixar film "Ratatouille." The 30-second animated spot features the characters Remy, Emile, and Skinner, and urges viewers to make the switch from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lights. To learn more ways to save energy, viewers are then pointed to DOE's www.energy.gov, which features links for kids and adults. The spot will air on cable networks nationwide starting June 15th and continue through the summer.
See the "Ratatouille" feature at www.eere.energy.gov
HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEES PASS EXTENSION OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDINGS TAX INCENTIVE
In separate hearings, Congressional committees passed legislation that would extend the tax incentive for energy-efficient commercial buildings. The Senate Finance Committee passed out of committee an energy tax package that included an increase in the $1.80-per-square-foot tax incentive to $2.25 and extended it to the end of 2013. The Senate provision was a part of a larger energy amendment tax package that was offered on the Senate floor during the current debate taking place on energy bill H.R. 6, but an attempt to reach cloture failed, which would have cut off debate. The amendment still has a chance to be revisited by the Senate in future proceedings. Meanwhile, the House Ways & Means Committee's Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007, H.R. 2776, also included an extension of the energy-efficient commercial buildings through 2013, but did not include an increase on the per-square-foot deduction. Any differences on this matter between the House and Senate will have to be resolved during a conference committee.
ENERGY BILL AIMS TO POWER UP IDEAS: INCENTIVES, MANDATES AND PROZES INCLUDED
If you are smart enough to invent a bright, highly energy-efficient, solid-state "light package" to replace the 60-watt bulb, you might qualify for a $10 million federal prize. A similar invention to replace halogen bulbs could carry a $5 million award. These "Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prizes" are part of a wide-ranging, ambitious Senate energy bill chock full of incentives and mandates designed to meet the nation's growing energy challenge.
LEDs EXPAND THEIR REACH INTO THE AESTHETIC-MINDED MARKET FOR HOME LIGHTING
They may be pricey now, but LEDs are being touted as eventual replacements for standard, incandescent bulbs and even compact fluorescents because of their growing efficiency and predictions of increasingly lower costs. And as LEDs expand their reach into the aesthetic-minded market for home lighting, they boast something traditional lighting sources can't: LEDs can be programmed to emit light in virtually any color without the use of filters, enabling homeowners to design their own living room light shows, or tailor the color of the light to their mood.
FERVOR TO BAN LIGHT BULBS DIM
Thomas Edison can rest in peace — his incandescent light bulb won't be banned by California lawmakers this year after all. Legislation to phase out the common bulb was shelved this month, elbowed aside by a competing bill that sends lighting makers an ultimatum: Conserve energy, or the party's over. Assembly Bill 1109 would require the state to set an energy-efficiency standard for light bulbs that Edison's nearly 130-year-old invention can't currently meet — but might in the future. Under AB 1109, the California Energy Commission would create standards that by 2018 would reduce electricity consumption by 50 percent for indoor lighting and 25 percent for commercial and outdoor lighting. The lighting industry supports the bill.
COAL: THE PLENTIFUL BUT POLLUTING FUEL
Electricity demand will grow about 40% in the U.S. by 2030. That'll be true even with widespread conservation measures. Green energy sources won't help enough. At best, solar, wind, biomass and other sources will account for 5% of total energy production. Nuclear power also has limitations, though its use will expand up to 20% by 2030. Problems include high investment costs, a need for huge plants and waste disposal issues. So coal is key to bridging supply gaps both here in the U.S. and throughout the world. But is there a practical way to burn coal with less pollution? Cleaner coal power plants are feasible with a technology, integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC). Congress will OK funding and other support to speed this along.
ENERGY DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS TO INCREASE INDUSTRIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today expanded DOE's work to maximize energy efficiency by increasing cooperation among U.S. industry and energy efficiency experts, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Specifically, this MOU includes a variety of activities, which aim to assist manufacturing facilities in implementing an energy management program; adopt clean, efficient technologies; and achieve continual energy efficiency and intensity reduction improvements.
www.energysavers.gov
NEW RULE WILL BOOST ENERGY PERFORMANCE IN LEED BUILDINGS
In a move that signals its commitment to solutions for climate change, the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) membership has overwhelmingly passed a vote requiring all LEED certified projects to achieve at least two "Optimize Energy Performance" points within LEED, which will improve the energy performance of all LEED certified green buildings by 14 percent for new construction and 7 percent for existing buildings. To help projects achieve the new energy reduction requirements, a prescriptive compliance path is currently under development as an alternative to energy modeling. The two mandatory points will count towards a project's LEED certification.
NONRESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY EXPECTED TO GROW THROUGH 2007
Construction activity in hospitality, health care and educational facilities is expected to see the most growth in 2007, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The nonresidential construction market has shown solid gains this year and spending is expected to increase by 7.2 percent in 2007.
Hotels |
Retail |
Institutional/Education |
2007: 26.4% |
2007: 3.7% |
2007: 5.9% |
2008: 26.4% |
2008: -0.9% |
2008: 4.1% |
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Office Buildings |
Health Care Facilities |
Amusement/Recreation |
2007: 11.2% |
2007: 8.5% |
2007: 4.2% |
2008: 3.5% |
2008: 5.0% |
2008: 2.7% |
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Industrial Facilities |
Public Safety |
|
2007: 6.5% |
2007: 8.6% |
|
2008: 5.2% |
2008: 3.3% |
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HEALTH CARE CONSTRUCTION PROGNOSIS: INDUSTRY APPEARS TO BE IN TOP FORM
Comprised of approximately 545,000 establishments, today's $41 billion health care industry is one of the country's fastest-expanding institutional sectors — second only to education. By the decade's end, yearly health care construction put in place could reach as much as $60.1 billion, says FMI Corp., a management consulting and investment banking firm headquartered in Raleigh, N.C. Helping to spur this growth are aging medical facilities, advances in technology, shifting environmental requirements, and the increasingly older population.
VOICES FOR SSL EFFICIENCY: OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER AND PARTICIPATE
In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) is hosting a workshop on July 16-17, 2007 in Boston, MA to address how federal, state and private sector organizations can work together to shape the market for high performance solid state lighting (SSL) products.
Registration information is available at www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/BostonWorkshop.html
EPSI RECOGNIZED
The Association of Oregon Recyclers has awarded the Recycler of the Year Award to Earth Protection Services, Inc in the Collector or Processor category. The company was recognized for innovation and commitment in the field of recycling. EPSI offers recycling services nationwide with locations in Oregon, California, Arizona, Texas, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
www.earthpro.com
HONEYWELL HELPS MAKE GARDEN STATE GREENER THROUGH NEW JERSEY'S CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM
Honeywell announced a $42-million, 27-month contract to implement and help manage portions of the New Jersey Clean Energy Program™, one of the largest energy conservation programs in the United States. Under the contract, Honeywell Utility Solutions will handle marketing, customer service, training, quality assurance, rebate and incentive processing, and reporting for the Renewable Energy and Residential portions of the program. The Clean Energy Program provides financial and other incentives to NJ homeowners, businesses and schools that install high-efficiency or renewable energy technologies.
NEW ENERGY-SAVING REGULATIONS FOR ELECTRONICS WILL HELP SAVE CONSUMERS MONEY AND ENERGY
Beginning July 1st, new regulations in CA make consumer electronics, such as laptops and cell phones, more energy efficient. The regulations, approved by the California Energy Commission in December 2004, will limit the amount of electricity used while electronic devices are on "standby power," and are a significant step toward meeting the state's 20 percent renewable energy goal by 2010. The conservation standards, known as Title 20, target "standby power" and reduce the ever-increasing consumption of residential electricity.
www.consumerenergycenter.org
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About Summit Energy News
Today, energy, management, EPAct and similar topics are being widely discussed in many different venues, including the electrical industry. The energy market is changing very quickly and it is can be difficult to keep up.
Your ability to keep up with the latest changes and respond appropriately can have a substantial positive or negative impact on your business.
Summit recognizes the importance of energy management and the impact it can have on your business. In response, we have partnered with Bill Attardi, a nationally recognized expert in energy management, to provide you with timely information about the activities and changes taking place in the energy conservation market.
Bill is widely respected in the field of energy management. He has been in the lighting business for more than 40 years and has held executive positions with Westinghouse, Philips and USI Lighting. Visit Bill's web site at www.attardimarketing.com.
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