AlliancetoSaveEnergy@ase.org@crest.org on 03/26/2001 11:52:38 AM
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Subject: March e-FFICIENCY NEWS


WELCOME TO e-FFICIENCY NEWS

The monthly newsletter from the
Alliance to Save Energy

February 2001 Vol. 7 No. 3


********************************

CONTENTS

WE NEED YOUR HELP
* How Can We Better Meet Your Needs?
* CALL TO ACTION
* Alliance Activists Can Make a Difference
* EFFICIENCY NEWS
* Senator Bingaman, Democrats, Introduce Centrist Energy Bill
* Secretary Abraham Looks for Energy in Wrong Places
* Democratic Task Force Weighs in on Bush Budget
* Senate Hearing Examines Energy-Environmental Relationship
* Financial Guru to Investors: Insulate; NAIMA Debuts New Consumer Web
Site
* IPCC: Energy Efficiency is Key in Mitigating Climate Change
* Barriers to Energy Efficiency In Public, Private Organizations
* State of the World Report
* List Your Company in Two New CA Directories
* Dallas Cleans the Air with the IECC Energy Code
* Alliance Associates Honored with Awards
* ALLIANCE NEWS
* Alliance Offers Earth Day, Tax, Home Improvement Tips to Save Money
* Special Issue of e-FFICIENCY NEWS to Analyze Federal Budget
* EYE OPENERS
* Energy Efficiency Facts Even Children Can Understand
* Schools Spending on Energy
* Save the Planet, Spare Your Wallet
* EFFICIENCY EVENTS
* Change in Location for National Energy Modeling System/Annual Energy
Outlook Conference March 27
* NAESCO,s 2001 Mid-Year Conference May 22-24
* Peak Load Management Conference April 30-May 1
* Environmental Film Festival April 5-8
* Energy Efficiency Workshop, Exposition June 3-6
* Pacific Gas and Electric RFP
* EFFICIENCY PEOPLE
* Energy Job Openings


********************************

WE NEED YOUR HELP

How Can We Better Meet Your Needs?

This year, e-FFICIENCY NEWS has a new editor and a new production schedule.
First, e-FFICIENCY NEWS has upgraded from a bimonthly to a monthly
newsletter.  In order to make e-FFICIENCY NEWS more responsive, more
interactive, and more useful, we need your help.  Please fill out a brief
survey and tell us how to make e-FFICIENCY NEWS better fit your needs.

The survey can be found at:
www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/e-fnsurvey.htm
<http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/e-fnsurvey.htm>

Gadi Nevo Ben-Yehuda
e-DITOR, e-FFICIENCY NEWS
The Alliance to Save Energy

********************************

CALL TO ACTION

Alliance Activists Can Make a Difference

As the country deals with a mounting energy crisis, the Department of Energy
(DOE) may be planning an estimated 30-35 percent cut in the energy
efficiency and renewable energy research and development programs budget.
The Alliance calls on all responsible citizens to  encourage the
administration to do the right thing.  Becoming an Alliance Activist is the
first step.

Become an Alliance Activist:
<http://www.ase.org/takeaction/activist>

Read the Alliance information page and send a letter to President Bush:
<http://www.ase.org/takeaction/alert03-16.htm>

********************************

EFFICIENCY NEWS

Senator Bingaman, Democrats, Introduce Centrist Energy Bill

Senator Jeff Bingaman (NM), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Energy and
Natural Resources Committee and Chair of the Alliance to Save Energy,
introduced comprehensive legislation to shape the nation's energy policy.
``If we want to tackle [our energy] problem[s] head-on, we need a
comprehensive plan that commits to increasing domestic production and to
using energy more efficiently throughout the economy.  I believe this
legislation sets out that plan," Bingaman said.

Read more:
www.senate.gov/~bingaman/ <http://www.senate.gov/~bingaman/>

Read Alliance President David Nemtzow,s response:
www.ase.org/media/newsrel/bingdaschnrg.htm
<http://206.112.76.171/media/newsrel/bingdaschnrg.htm>


--------------------------------

Secretary Abraham Looks for Energy in Wrong Places

Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, addressing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,
noted:  &America faces a major energy supply crisis over the next two
decades.8  But Abraham, like President Bush, is looking mainly to increase
our supply of oil, coal, and natural gas, rather than approach both the
supply and demand sides of the issue.  Secretary Abraham mentioned energy
efficiency only once in his entire speech, even though a reduction in demand
is the quickest, cleanest, cheapest (and most reliable!) energy source at
our disposal.

Read Secretary Abraham,s remarks:
www.energy.gov/HQDocs/speeches/2001/marss/energy_speech.html
<http://www.energy.gov/HQDocs/speeches/2001/marss/energy_speech.html>

--------------------------------

Democratic Task Force Weighs in on Bush Budget

Last week, House Democrats threw their hat into the ring as the Democratic
Caucus Energy Task Force held a news conference decrying Bush Administration
intentions to cut energy research significantly in their FY 2002 budget.
The Alliance is quoted in their report, which emphasizes the role of
research and development in providing long-term energy solutions.

Read the report:
www.house.gov/house/orgs_pub_hse_ldr_www.html
<http://www.house.gov/house/orgs_pub_hse_ldr_www.html>
Click on Democratic Leadership.

--------------------------------

Senate Hearing Examines Energy-Environmental Relationship

Alliance president David Nemtzow testified at a March 21 Senate Environment
Committee Subcommittee hearing on the relationship of energy policies and
environmental policies.  Nemtzow pointed out that energy efficiency is now
our nation,s second largest energy source.  He also offered a series of
recommendations for the Senators simultaneously to promote energy and
environmental goals.

For a copy of the oral version of his testimony and charts:
www.ase.org/policy/testimony/march2101.htm
<http://www.ase.org/policy/testimony/march2101.htm>

--------------------------------

Financial Guru to Investors: Insulate; NAIMA Debuts New Consumer Web Site

Parade Magazine February 18 personal finance writer  Andrew Tobias advises
readers &How to Invest in Uncertain Times.8  His great home improvement
invest tip: &Earn 50 percent or more [on your investment] installing
insulation and weather-stripping to cut your heating and air-conditioning
costs8

To educate consumers,  the North American Insulation Manufacturer,s
Association (NAIMA) has launched a radio campaign and a new consumer web
site with a quiz to determine what your "IQ" is - your Insulation Quotient.
Also on their new consumer site is a &savings calculator.8

Take the quiz and see the consumer information at:
<http://www.simplyinsulate.com/>

--------------------------------

IPCC: Energy Efficiency is Key in Mitigating Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the third and
final volume of its Third Assessment Report on climate change, which
examines climate change mitigation strategies and places a heavy emphasis on
using energy wisely. The report finds that energy efficiency for buildings,
transportation, and industry could account for more than half of the
potential greenhouse gas reductions achievable by 2020. Natural gas
technologies, more efficient power plant technologies, and combined heat and
power play an important role in reducing fossil energy power plant
emissions. And "low-carbon energy systems," such as renewable energy, can
also make an important contribution. Perhaps equally important is the
finding that there is "no single path to a low emission future."

Read more:
www.unep.ch/ipcc/ <http://www.unep.ch/ipcc/>

--------------------------------

Barriers to Energy Efficiency In Public, Private Organizations

There is a gap between the opportunities for cost-effective energy-
efficiency investment identified in energy models and the levels actually
seen in practice, according to SPRU, a science and technology policy
research group in England. The origins of the gap are claimed to lie in a
series of barriers, such as lack of capital, lack of information or hidden
costs, which prevent markets for energy and energy-using technologies from
operating efficiently.  SPRU says that understanding the size and nature of
this gap is essential if policies to mitigate climate change through
improved energy efficiency are to be successful. These policies must succeed
in the context of liberalizing energy markets and increasing interest in the
development of a broadly based energy service industry.

Read more:
www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/environment/research/barriers.html
<http://www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/environment/research/barriers.html>

--------------------------------

State of the World Report

From the thinning of the Arctic sea ice to the invasion of the
mosquito-borne West Nile virus, the Worldwatch Institute's State of the
World 2001 shows how the economic boom of the last decade has damaged
natural systems.   The report takes a fresh look at the most difficult
challenge the world faces: how to build an environmentally sustainable
economy before we do permanent damage to the natural systems that support
our global civilization.

Read more:
secure.worldwatch.org/cgi-bin/wwinst/SOW01P
<http://secure.worldwatch.org/cgi-bin/wwinst/SOW01P>

--------------------------------

List Your Company in Two New CA Directories

The California Energy Commission is currently putting together The  2001
Energy Technology Export Directory of California Companies
and the U.S. Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy Technology Export Directory
2001.  Listing your company in either directory is free of charge. In
addition, Spanish language versions of the paperback, compact disc, and an
online interactive directory will be produced later in 2001.

Read more:
www.energy.ca.gov/export/notices/2001-02-01_notice.html
<http://www.energy.ca.gov/export/notices/2001-02-01_notice.html>

--------------------------------

Dallas Cleans the Air with the IECC Energy Code

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) voted this month to
adopt the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for the Dallas
region.  This area accounts for almost 50,000 housing starts a year, more
than are built in 42 states.  One of the main reasons for adopting the code
is the area's commitment to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions as part of the
Texas state plan for controlling smog.  Since the IECC contains a new
standard for reducing window solar heat gain, which reduces air conditioning
energy use substantially, it cuts NOx emissions from the power plants that
serve the air conditioning load.  The Alliance supported Public Citizen, the
Texas Building Energy Institute, the Sustainable Living Alliance, NCTCOG
staff, and others in this effort, working with the Building Codes Assistance
Project and Alliance Associates.

--------------------------------

Alliance Associates Honored with Awards

Many Alliance Associates were honored at the 2001 Energy Star Awards
Ceremony, hosted by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the
Department of Energy.  Additionally, the Industrial Energy Technology
Conference (IETC) has selected Alliance Associate Owens Corning for a
prestigious award for outstanding contributions to industrial energy
efficiency and environmental stewardship.

For a complete list of Energy Star award winners:
www.epa.gov/nrgystar/pdf/winners_2001.pdf
<http://www.epa.gov/nrgystar/pdf/winners_2001.pdf>
Read more about the IETC award:
www-esl.tamu.edu/ietc/ <http://www-esl.tamu.edu/ietc/>

For more information, email Malcolm Verdict at
mverdict@ase.org <mailto:mverdict@ase.org.>.

********************************

ALLIANCE NEWS


Alliance Offers Earth Day, Tax, Home Improvement Tips to Save Money

Amidst a backdrop of soaring energy prices and electricity reliability
problems as Earth Day 2001 dawns April 22, consumers are also dealing with
income tax returns and home improvements to get ready for summer. The
Alliance to Save Energy offers consumers tips on how to "earn" money by
investing in energy-efficiency improvements in their homes and
simultaneously reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions with little
effort.

Read more:
www.ase.org/media/newsrel/earthdaytips.htm
<http://www.ase.org/media/newsrel/earthdaytips.htm>

--------------------------------

Special Issue of e-FFICIENCY NEWS to Analyze Federal Budget

The first federal budget proposed by the Bush Administration is due on or
about April 3.  Shortly after, the Alliance to Save Energy,s Policy Team
will post a detailed analysis on the Alliance web site and will be covered
in a special issue e-FFICIENCY NEWS.

For Alliance policy news:
www.ase.org/policy <http://www.ase.org/policy>

********************************

EYE OPENERS

Energy Efficiency Facts Even Children Can Understand

A vacant house at 55 Fahrenheit uses more energy for heating than an
occupied one at 68 Fahrenheit, according to GPU Energy.  The activity in an
occupied house radiates a certain amount of heat and some of the energy
users in your home are still operating while you areaway. Designed
specifically for teachers and students, the GPU website features
energy-related games, activities, experiments, downloadable teaching
modules, and lesson plans on a variety of energy, electrical safety, energy
conservation, and environment-related topics.

Read more:
www.gpukids.com <http://www.gpukids.com/>

--------------------------------

Schools Spending on Energy

Did you know that schools spend more on energy than on computers and
textbooks combined?  For more facts about energy and energy efficiency,
visit:
www.ase.org/consumer/didyouknow/ <http://www.ase.org/consumer/didyouknow/>

For more on schools and energy efficiency, visit:
www.ase.org/greenschools <http://www.ase.org/greenschools>

--------------------------------

Save the Planet, Spare Your Wallet

How much do you know about reducing water and energy consumption in the
home? Take Environmental News Network,s (ENN) home energy and water
efficiency quiz and learn new ways to save money and the planet:
www.enn.com/news/enn-stories/2001/03/03162001/homequiz_42465.asp?site=email
<http://www.enn.com/news/enn-stories/2001/03/03162001/homequiz_42465.asp?sit
e=email>


********************************

EFFICIENCY EVENTS

Change in Location for National Energy Modeling System/Annual Energy Outlook
Conference March 27

J.W. Marriott, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC.

For information about the conference, visit:
www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/conf <http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/conf>
If you have questions about registration or other conference information,
please contact one of:
Susan Holte at 202/586-4838 or susan.holte@eia.doe.gov
<mailto:susan.holte@eia.doe.gov>
Peggy Wells at 202/586-0109 or peggy.wells@eia.doe.gov
<mailto:peggy.wells@eia.doe.gov>

--------------------------------

NAESCO,s 2001 Mid-Year Conference May 22-24

Register online or view agenda at
www.naesco.org/ <http://www.naesco.org/>

--------------------------------

Peak Load Management Conference April 30-May 1

The Role of Demand Response Programs: Keeping the Grid Operating will focus
on the future of demand response programs.

Read more:
www.peaklma.com/spring2001.html <http://www.peaklma.com/spring2001.html>

--------------------------------

Environmental Film Festival April 5-8

Join environmental activists, media makers, educators, scientists, public
officials, and funders for the third annual Hazel Wolf Environmental Film
Festival.

Read more:
<http://www.hazelfilm.org/>

--------------------------------

Energy Efficiency Workshop, Exposition June 3-6

8New Horizons - Solutions for the 21st Century,8 sponsored by Federal Energy
Management Program, meets in Kansas City, MO, June 3-6. to help government
and private sector energy managers do their jobs better by showing the
latest strategies, products, and resources available.

For more information:
www.energy2001.ee.doe.gov/ <http://www.energy2001.ee.doe.gov/>

To register, call
800/395-8574 or
321/638-1014

--------------------------------

Pacific Gas and Electric RFP

Pacific Gas & Electric Company is seeking third-party proposals that target
Underserved and Hard-to-Reach market sectors

Please contact Sharon Stone at 415-973-4388 for bid package.
Bids must be returned by 2pm Wednesday, April 11, 2001.
More Information:
www.pge.com/purchasing <http://www.pge.com/purchasing>
Click on Bid Opportunities,
or more directly,
www.pge.com/009_about/009b1_bid_oppt.shtml
<http://www.pge.com/009_about/009b1_bid_oppt.shtml>

********************************

EFFICIENCY PEOPLE


Energy Job Openings

Looking for a position in the energy nonprofit field? There are several
positions available, including:

Alliance to Save Energy
Development Associate

<http://www.ase.org/about/humanr.htm>

The American Council for an
Energy-Efficient Economy
Energy Policy Director

<http://www.aceee.org/>

********************************

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.

Gadi Nevo Ben-Yehuda, Editor, webmaster@ase.org <mailto:webmaster@ase.org>
David Nemtzow, Publisher, nemtzow@ase.org <mailto:nemtzow@ase.org>

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--------------------------------

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Alliance to Save Energy
1200 18th St., NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
202/857-0666
info@ase.org
<http://www.ase.org/>