Efficiency First

Several senators are attempting to revive the Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Deployment Administration (CEDA), which would enable the DOE to finance more clean energy technologies and projects. However, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee faces difficulties over securing sources of funding for the upfront costs. Debates over spending cuts and the federal deficit have hindered the effort to bolster CEDA, and clean energy legislation on the whole has faced opposition from the Republican-dominated House.

In recent years, the U.S. has made significant progress towards energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy rather than fossil fuels, but the energy efficiency industry has not completely penetrated the commercial market. If Congress backed CEDA, private funding of clean energy ventures would receive more secure long-term financing options, rather than one-time government loans. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R–Alaska), a member of the SENR Committee, noted that CEDA is a “smarter, more efficient way for the federal government to promote clean energy technologies.”

CEDA would make capital investments for clean energy more transparent and government funding through the administration would allow for more energy efficiency projects that would otherwise be too risky for private investors. The Department of Energy is scheduled to receive a 12% budget increase for 2012 compared to the fiscal year 2010, but partisan debate over the nation’s energy priorities within Congress continues to obstruct energy efficiency efforts.

Recent quarterly reports provide promising news for the clean efficiency industry. Many major providers of renewable energy services, including Johnson Controls and Ameresco, have reported significant increases in net sales and revenue. Other energy efficiency businesses have also experienced tremendous growth and the expansion of production in recent years.

Several factors have enabled the increased market activity of energy efficiency companies. High energy prices have prompted companies to search for most cost-effective ways to generate energy. Additionally, federal incentive programs encourage sustainable renovation of industries and the implementation of energy efficient practices. Read the rest of this entry »

Thank you to all who attended the Webinar on July 13th. We had over 250 people attend live and some great feedback from many of our viewers.If you were unable to make it not to worry as we record all of our webinars so they may be viewed at your own leisure!

You can now watch a recording and download a PDF of the Webinar, Home Performance Standards & Certifications: The Latest from BPI & RESNET.

Efficiency First Members, Click here to access the video and the PDF.

Non-Members can access the recording for 30 days, click here to view the video and the PDF.

CEUs Information
We have submitted the official attendee report to BPI and they will award CEUs accordingly. Please contact them directly if you have any questions: CEUs@BPI.org

Last week, Efficiency First members across the country called Congress in support of energy efficiency standards for light bulbs that were passed in 2007. The bill failed  in the House — a victory for energy efficiency advocates:

The standards in question do not specifically ban the old bulbs but require a higher level of efficiency than the classics can produce, essentially nudging them off store shelves over the next few years. Four of Edison’s descendants said the great inventor would be mortified to see politicians trying to get the nation to hang on to an outdated technology when better bulbs are available.

The standards have not been particularly contentious before now. They were crafted in 2007 with Republican participation and signed into law by President George W. Bush. People seem to like the new choices and the energy savings they bring, polling finds.

But now they have become a symbol of a much larger divide in Washington…

We’ll be keeping on top of this issue in the coming weeks and months.

According to a report by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the United States is losing its competitive advantage in clean energy technology to many European and Asian countries. As a result, several foreign companies have moved to the U.S. to penetrate the American clean energy market and to expand their market opportunities in the energy efficiency industry. Companies which now have offices in the U.S., such as Iderdrola (Spain), Goldwind (China) and Enercon (Germany), are beginning to dominate the industry and out-compete American manufacturers. Read the rest of this entry »

As Efficiency First begins to transition from rapid initial growth into a long term trade association, Jared Asch will no longer fill the role as the National Director of the organization. Efficiency First would like to thank Jared for his numerous contributions helping in the effort that brought Efficiency First from humble beginnings to a player on the national stage in a matter of a few short years.

As the organization’s first National Director, Jared was instrumental in putting together an organizational structure and the day-to-day operations. In addition to building a team of highly skilled professionals, Jared executed on a series of initiatives that set the organization on its impressive growth trajectory.  The significant membership growth and chapter development during Jared’s tenure was due in large part to his hard-charging efforts.

Kara Saul-Rinaldi has been appointed by the board as interim Managing Consultant, providing executive support during the organization’s previously announced search process for an Executive Director (click here to see the ED announcement).  Kara and her firm, AnnDyl Policy Group, have been and continue to support Efficiency First in its governmental affairs activities.

With respect and thanks, Efficiency First wishes Jared all the best in all his future pursuits.

Greg Thomas
Efficiency First Board of Directors

Please join us  for Efficiency First’s upcoming Webinar:

Home Performance Standards: The Latest from RESNET & BPI
July 13th, 2011 from 12:30pm-2:00pm EASTERN
Qualifies for 1.5 BPI CEUs

Click here to sign into your member account & register

RESNET and BPI (Building Performance Institute) have made some recent updates to standards and certifications and this webinar presents you with an opportunity to learn how these will impact your business. Specifically, you will learn about the changes to BPI’s Standardized Qualification of Whole House Energy Savings Estimate (BPI-2400-S-2011, formerly BPI-107) and updates on RESNETS’s EnergySmart Certifications.

Panelists include Steve Baden, Executive Director of RESNET  & John Jones, National Technical Director of BPI.

This webinar qualifies for 1.5 BPI CEUs. For more information on CEUs, please click here.

Efficiency First memberhsip is required to access the webinar. To learn more about membership, click here

Advocates, consultants and organizations dealing with climate change and environmental services have recently prompted global companies to actively face risks from climate change and incorporate them into business models. Technology and policies invested in clean energy and efficiency programs may not be enough to mitigate the impacts of global warming, and according to many advocates, businesses have a responsibility to take proactive measures in response to future climate change.

Regardless of the political debate over climate change, businesses have an opportunity to respond to threats of global warming while realizing new potential earnings. According to a recent report jointly led by the United Nations, the World Resources Institute and Oxfam America, 83% of the business studied recognize that climate change would negatively affect their products or services and might offer new business opportunities, but very few had adjusted their business models to include adaptation of possible risks and rewards.

Whether or not energy and climate policy in the U.S. is effective, other countries will likely implement new regulations to which large firms will have to adapt. In doing so, businesses can assist communities most affected by global warming. Heather Coleman, a senior policy advisor on climate change at Oxfam, argues for active engagement from businesses by suggesting that local populations suffering from environmental damage due to climate change in turn affect global companies which depend on those people and resources.

The report argues that it is advantageous for global business to preemptively assist those communities in order to avoid the worst effects of global warming. This will enable them to harness new market growth in developing countries at the same time. However, there are several reasons why companies have been hesitant to restructure their business models based on climate change predictions. Some companies have been unsure how to incorporate scientific data on climate into operations on the ground. Others cite the uncertainty over details of future climate change as a serious security risk for long-term investment. However, the report from the United Nations suggests that including potential climate change into business models is worthwhile both for global companies and for communities likely to suffer from global warming.

To view the U.N. report click here.

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 and 59-3 in the Senate).

“On-bill financing overcomes an energy efficiency contractor’s biggest barrier to growing jobs: homeowners that can’t afford to spend money to save money,” said Efficiency First New York Co-Chair Stephen McKenna of Murtha Construction, a Long Island-based home performance contractor.  “In some areas of the state, a third of interested customers don’t sign contracts because they lack financing. This program will unleash the industry’s potential and allow New York home performance contractors to double, triple or even quadruple the size of their crews.”

Throughout the spring, Efficiency First New York member companies worked hard to support passage of on-bill financing. Contractors met with legislators in Albany and in district offices, made phone calls and wrote letters to communicate how on-bill financing will create jobs in the hard-hit construction industry and help homeowners achieve energy savings.

Damian Hodkinson, Efficiency First National Board Member and owner of True Energy Solutions in Rochester added: “On-Bill Financing will make it easier for New York homeowners to implement energy-efficiency measures by helping to reduce the challenge of upfront cost. Homeowners will be able to pay for energy efficiency measures the same way they pay for energy — on their utility bills. That means more energy savings and comfort for homeowners, and more job creation at my company and other contractors around the state.”

As on-bill financing moves forward, Efficiency First New York will push for effective implementation. Efficiency First New York will also keep member companies informed and up-to-date with the latest information about the program.

If you would like to get involved with Efficiency First New York’s efforts on on-bill financing or other issues affecting New York’s Home Performance companies, please contact newyork@efficiencyfirst.org.

Over 60 energy efficiency professionals gathered in Kansas City this past Tuesday Night to launch Efficiency First Kansas City.

Congrats -- A New Efficiency First Chapter Is Born!

This meeting was an opportunity for energy efficiency professionals of all types to meet each other and begin working together to grow the Home Performance industry in the Kansas City region. It was held at the Project Living Proof building in Kansas City, MO.

Participants heard a presentation from Jerry Schechter of the Kansas City, MO Office of Environmental Quality, about EnergyWorks KC, a new program funded by the federal Department of Energy’s Better Buildings initiative, which aims to transform the energy efficiency market across the Kansas City metropolitan area.

After the presentation, attendees engaged in a discussion about the needs of the local industry — expanding consumer awareness about home performance, working with local programs and policymakers to spark industry growth and more.

EF member & Home Performance contractor, Donna Sanders

“As owner of a new Home Performance company in Kansas City, I’m looking forward to meeting others in the industry and working with them to create local industry growth,” said Donna Sanders of 106 Greenway, who has helped spearhead efforts to get the chapter launched. “The Kansas City region has huge opportunities for growth in the energy efficiency sector. Our member companies are ready to step up to the plate and help more local homeowners improve the comfort, air quality and energy efficiency of their homes – and create good, green jobs in the process.”

The next Efficiency First Kansas City meeting is July 26. Contact kansascity@efficiencyfirst.org for more information or to get involved.