Efficiency First

Check out this recent CNN report on the proposed HOME STAR program, featuring Virginia-based Efficiency First member EDGE Energy:

On April 20, the Wall Street Journal published an editorial criticizing the proposed HOME STAR efficiency retrofit program, which the newspaper dismissed as “Essentially … a federally sponsored sale at the local Home Depot or Lowe’s.” Two prominent supporters of the legislation, Rep. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Rep. Peter Welch of Vermont, responded to [...]

Last week the Department of Energy announced a competitive funding opportunity for “new projects that will deliver measureable improvements in the cost, scope, and energy savings of low-income weatherization programs across the country.” The DOE’s new Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program will provide up to $30 million to fund collaborative partnerships that involve private businesses, colleges or [...]

You close the sale and Efficiency First wants to close on HOME STAR. We need you in DC. Join Efficiency First members and contractors in Washington, DC. We are on the verge of making this happen. Our goal 150 contractors, trainers, etc. in DC Click here to register today.

With momentum growing behind HOME STAR legislation in the House and Senate, Efficiency First is organizing a visit to Washington, D.C., next month that will give members an opportunity to speak directly with Senators, Congressional Representatives and legislative staff about the future of the Home Performance industry. Meetings will be scheduled from noon on Wednesday, [...]

At its first annual meeting today in Austin, Texas, Efficiency First installed a new slate of board members and elected officers, with Mike Rogers of California-based GreenHomes America assuming the role of board chair. Greg Thomas of Performance Systems Development is the new vice-chair, and outgoing board chair Matt Golden of Recurve Inc. is the [...]

Washington Post environmental reporter Juliet Eilperin interviewed Matt Golden of Efficiency First this week for an article about the federal Retrofit Ramp-Up funding announced yesterday (see our previous post about the announcement). Here’s an excerpt: Matt Golden, a northern California contractor and member of the contractor coalition Efficiency First, said the federal funding could help [...]

Vice President Joe Biden kicked off five days of White House events marking the 40th anniversary of Earth Day by announcing the selection of 25 communities to receive up to $452 million in Recovery Act funding for energy efficiency retrofit programs. The funding will support public- and private-sector partnerships targeting large-scale retrofit initiatives, and make [...]

In a ceremony at the Opening Plenary of the ACI National Conference in Austin, Texas, this week, the Building Performance Institute (BPI) honored Congressman Peter Welch of Vermont with the 2010 Tony Woods Award for Excellence in Advancing the Home Performance Industry. Welch has been a tireless advocate for national energy efficiency and climate change [...]

In a markup session on Thursday, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved the bipartisan Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 (H.R. 5019) by a vote of 30 to 17. “Today’s legislation presents an opportunity for us all to work together,” chairman Henry A. Waxman said in a statement to the committee. “I [...]