The State of Power Consumption

Where does this leave us?

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, by the end of this year, power consumption in the U.S. is expected to be half of what it was in 1970, as measured per dollar of economic output.

The Washington, D.C.-based non-profit group said that energy efficiency may be one of the fastest-growing energy success stories of the last 50 years, but it's influence is mostly invisible.

PG&E Seeks Approval

Pacific Gas and Electric Company today asked the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to approve a six-year initiative -- the Cornerstone Improvement Program -- to significantly improve the reliability of PG&E's electric distribution system. At the same time, the utility requested enhancements to its Low Income Energy Efficiency program.

The Cornerstone Improvement Program comprises a set of initiatives proposed by PG&E to decrease both the number and duration of electric outages by increasing the flexibility of the electrical grid. Major initiatives include increasing the capacity and interconnectivity of distribution lines and substations, implementing distribution automation on 1,200 circuits in urban and suburban areas, and installing 5,000 switching devices on rural circuits to reduce the number of customers affected by outages.

AT&T Joins Energy Star Program

AT&T Inc. has joined the government's Energy Star program, which means that the company's Internet Protocol television set-top boxes have now been rated energy efficient.

As a Energy Star program participant, AT&T U-verse TV will furnish customers with Motorola and Cisco Systems Inc. receivers that meet the new Energy Star energy efficiency criteria.

The new criteria for the voluntary program for digital set-top boxes isn't actually set to go into effect until Jan. 1, 2009. By delivering its boxes as part of the installation equipment, AT&T U-verse TV equipment is working meet this standard early.

Eastman Receives Energy Efficiency Award

For the 15th consecutive year, every year since the program began, Eastman Chemical Company has earned energy efficiency awards from the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

As part of the Responsible Care® program, the ACC honors specific projects that have achieved distinction in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Eastman received three awards, two of which received an ‘exceptional merit’ designation.

N. C. electric co-ops launch energy efficiency initiatives

North Carolina's electric cooperatives have created a nonprofit company to focus on energy-efficiency initiatives.

The operation, named GreenCo Solutions Inc., will focus on developing energy-efficiency programs and pilot projects involving renewable energy.