ComEd offers Energy Efficiency Incentives

Commonwealth Edison and Ameren will announce an $84-million, three-year effort to encourage the wise use of electricity among commercial and industrial consumers of electricity in the Chicago-area, the Chicago Tribune reports.

The program includes rebates for commercial and industrial customers who install electricity-saving equipment or lighting, and is expected to help retrofit some older, less-efficient buildings.

San Diego's Carbon Footprint Rating

The San Diego metropolitan area fared well in a national ranking of urban regions based on “carbon footprints” generated by their residential buildings and highway traffic. The region placed 10th behind well-known environmental leaders such as Seattle, San Francisco and Portland, Ore.

The analysis was published by the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit think tank based in Washington, D.C. The group assessed the nation's 100 largest urban areas based on their per capita carbon emissions in the two categories. It did not include emissions from commercial buildings or industry.

Oil Prices & Energy Efficiency

What should we do?

Countries must resist the temptation to limit the price of gas. And countries such as China, which already caps gasoline prices, should relax those controls and let prices rise. This will encourage conservation and spur the search for alternatives.

Energy efficiency is only part of the reason we're better off than in the 1970s. Our economies are more knowledge-based than industrial-based. The service sector has taken over from manufacturing as the primary economic driver.

As a result, the consumption of oil - and energy in general - is less of a burden on the economy. In the United States, for example, oil consumption sucks up 5.75 per cent of GDP, compared with 7.5 per cent in 1980.

Jacksonville Doing It Green

Jacksonville knows how to build green for energy efficiency:

Jacksonville's construction industry is laying a foundation of proof that anyone can build green. Developers, contractors, architects and engineers increasingly see that it makes economic sense to reduce their carbon footprints.

Builders are finding out about money-saving opportunities that can offset additional costs of green construction," said Doueck, whose office will sponsor such upcoming classes as "Florida Water Star 101" and "Green Development 101.

Atlas Copco Launches Energy Efficient Roadshow

Atlas Copco announced today that it will run a worldwide 'roadshow' for its most energy-efficient oil-injected compressors ever produced, the new GA 90-160 kW range. Its Specific Energy Requirement (SER) is best-in-class, using up to 11% less electricity than the previous GA models.

The Atlas Copco GA 160 VSD compressor has broken no less than eight performance records in the industry: in terms of overall energy requirements, energy consumption of individual elements and lifetime of replacement parts. The roadshow will start in Antwerp, Belgium on June 4th and will be followed by events in North America, South America and Asia.

City of Stamford becomes leader of Energy Efficiency

Mayor Dannel P. Malloy announced today that the City of Stamford has been recognized by Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) as The Municipal Leader for Energy Efficiency.

Stamford was nominated by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF) and The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) and was selected for recognition based upon its commitment to achieving energy savings through cost effective investments; addressing comprehensive changes in major energy systems; improving energy performance through operational practices and management level support; and demonstrating leadership to advance energy efficiency.

Additionally, Stamford has implemented energy conservation measures throughout its public school system - most significantly, the installation of a centralized energy management system and lighting improvements with occupancy sensor controls.

Other examples of the City's energy efficiency and environmental leadership include the approval in 2005 of a resolution to join the "20 by 2010" campaign. This commits the City to have 20 percent of its energy supply come from clean, renewable energy sources by 2010 and to create a Clean Energy Task Force to define a strategy to meet the goal.

As a result of Stamford's dedication to efficiency over the years, the City has achieved an overall 15 percent reduction in energy use, for an annual cost savings of over $1.2 million.

Tennessee Bill Seeks To Improve Energy Efficiency

Legislation that would use lottery reserve funds to help make Tennessee schools more energy efficient is headed to the governor for his consideration.

The measure would use $100 million of the state's nearly $460 million in lottery reserves to make the state's K-12 schools more energy efficient. It also would establish a council to award grants or loans for improvements such as better lighting or insulation.

TVA Board Approves Energy Efficiency Proposal

The TVA Board on Monday approved staff recommendations on "how TVA can help meet the Tennessee Valley’s growing demand for power and reduce the agency’s environmental footprint through cleaner, more energy-efficient opportunities."

An Energy Efficiency and Demand Response Plan, a Renewable and Clean Energy Assessment and an Environmental Policy were approved at the board meeting in Muscle Shoals, Ala.

These approved proposals reflect public comment TVA has received since the recommendations were first presented at the April Board meeting in Knoxville, officials said.

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.

Going Green At Hotel-Motel Show

The 2008 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (May 17-20 at McCormick Place in Chicago) will provide restaurateurs with the resources and tools they need to explore and increase environmental efforts, including products and services from many of the 2,000+ exhibiting companies and a specialized track of education sessions presented by leading experts.

Among the thousands of products and services throughout the exhibit floor, there are many "green" options at this year's NRA Show. Several of the 25 Kitchen Innovations Award recipients have eco-conscious features, and the Organics & Natural Pavilion will feature sustainable food and beverage options.

Other environmentally conscious products include energy management system technologies; packaging, tableware and cups made of recycled and renewable materials; eco-friendly uniforms; bio-degradable drinking straws; energy-efficient ambient lighting; sustainable seafood products; eco-conscious signage; and much more.