Efficiency First

On August 4th, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo signed On Bill Financing legislation into law, meaning that by this time next year many New Yorkers will be able to pay for energy efficiency improvements the same way they pay for energy–on their utility bill. Since the bill’s passage, the Efficiency First New York Chapter has been [...]

Efficiency First New York applauds the passage of on-bill financing legislation, a job creation measure in the Power NY Act (A.8510-Cahill/S.5844-Maziarz) that will allow homeowners to finance energy-efficiency improvements through payments on their utility bill. On the eve of June 22nd, 2011 the legislation passed with overwhelming majorities in both houses (117-13 in the Assembly [...]

Our friends at the American Council for Energy-Efficiency Economy (ACEEE) have released a new white paper, which examines how state governments can enable local governments to advance energy efficiency. The paper describes ways the unique connection between state and local governments can be leveraged to implement mutually beneficial energy efficiency programs and policies. States can [...]

The Federal Housing Authority has just announced a low-cost financing option for families who want energy-saving technologies in their home. Please join us this Wednesday for Efficiency First’s Webinar: FHA PowerSaver Loan Program: What your Company Needs to Know Wednesday, May 11th @ 12:30 pm EST Click here to Register! This Webinar will teach your [...]

In an opinion piece published online last week by The Atlantic, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger makes some powerful points about how energy choices we make now will impact the future of the United States. Writing in support of the development of large solar farms in the Mojave Desert, Schwarzenegger – a moderate Republican – [...]

A new study titled, “Carrots and Sticks: A Comprehensive Business Model for the Successful Achievement of Energy Efficiency Resource Standards” was recently released by the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (LBNL). Utility companies and policymakers have different opinions the issues within the energy efficiency industry and resource standards. This study looks into a comprehensive business model [...]

Do you think than a national energy efficiency evaluation, measurement and verification (EM&V) standard should be implemented? The Department of Energy is taking steps to develop a nation standard for energy efficiency and the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (LBNL) recently did a study in collaboration with the Schiller Consulting and Itron, titled:”National Energy Efficiency Evaluation, [...]

A White House fact sheet issued today in support of a speech by President Obama on the topic of energy security reiterates the administration’s support for the proposed HOME STAR incentive program. Under the heading “Innovating Our Way to a Clean Energy Future,” the fact sheet states that: Our homes, businesses and factories consume over [...]

Efficiency First Policy Chair Matt Golden was interviewed for a recent article in Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration NEWS that analyzes the past, present and future of the proposed HOME STAR energy retrofit program. After summarizing the history of HOME STAR legislation debated last year in Congress, the article explains how Capitol Hill politics and [...]

Guest Contributor – Hello fellow members of Efficiency First.  I’m Alison Haugh, BPI Certified Analyst, and owner of a consulting firm in Las Vegas, Nevada that performs energy audits and the newest member of the Efficiency First Board of Directors. This past year has been one of great personal growth for me.  Learning about the [...]