We are really excited to be announcing this year’s Business Leaders for Energy Efficiency. We have a great line up of fantastic examples of leadership from around the region. Together, these 12 organizations have achieved a cumulative annual cost savings of over $3 million by investing in energy efficiency measures. Continue reading
This year’s Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit in Stamford, CT saw a great number of new faces along with those industry veterans sharing perspectives on the central theme, The Business Case for Energy Efficiency. Our recognized Business Leaders this year are a great example of the impact strong efficiency policies and programs can have on the wider community. A brief look at the variety of industries these businesses represent and one thing is immediately clear – there is no one business case for efficiency. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Part two of our continuing series highlighting Massachusetts’ business leaders capitalizing on energy efficiency investments.
Many individuals who think they are against the Green Communities Act say the biggest reason why is that the landmark legislation hurts businesses and individuals in the Commonwealth. “Put consumers first!” was the cry in an opinion piece in the Worcester Business Journal recently. But by listening to local business leaders, you’ll hear the very opposite of these cries. To them energy efficiency does matter to our regional economic strength and in building strong vibrant communities, especially in these uncertain economic times.
Through energy efficiency investments, businesses are not just saving money on their utility bills, but emerging with stronger workforces with higher productivity. This is happening across all industries – including financial services.
Posted in Uncategorized
Part one in a new series of Business Leaders for Energy Efficiency Spotlights
Recently, there have been attacks on Massachusetts’ landmark energy efficiency law, Green Communities Act as for increasing business costs and driving away Massachusetts jobs. These charges miss the mark, however. Far from being anti-business, the Green Communities Act is helping businesses throughout the Commonwealth save energy and money.
Posted in Best Practices
While Northeast efficiency programs have been continuously achieving robust energy savings goals, the landscape around them continues to change. When various incentive programs began in lighting, it was very easy to make significant efficiency gains. That’s because a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL or spiral bulb) uses 75% less energy than an incandescent bulb. Clearly, efficient lighting for residential homes was the low hanging fruit that provided quick and cost effective savings for utilities and other efficiency programs.
Today there still exists a great deal of savings through residential lighting, though the challenges are greater than at its inception. Because of limiting constraints like free ridership (meaning a consumer would have purchased this efficient bulb without program’s incentive dollars that lower the price and reduce the cost barrier), it has been harder to count the savings achieved through programs. Responding to this and a host of other issues, NEEP launched the “Northeast Residential Lighting Strategy (RLS)” project to address many of the challenges in attaining the remaining significant lighting savings still available in homes through 2020.
NEEP is working with Energy Futures Group to research and produce the RLS which will be a guiding document or roadmap that illustrates both lighting barriers and solutions. We convened a high level advisory panel comprised of industry experts to weigh in on the document’s development, ensuring that the needs of myriad stakeholders involved in bringing the highest energy efficiency lighting solutions to homes would be addressed. 2011’s Residential Lighting Workshop in Warwick, RI informed attendees of the current situation analysis and gave them the opportunity to ask questions of panelists, work in small groups, and offer feedback on the RLS.
Stay tuned for the final RLS due out in September 2011. This comprehensive document will highlight the value of collaboration amongst stakeholders in order to achieve these essential efficiency gains by outlining both short and long term actions, along with associated milestones through 2020. And since there are always changes that cannot be predicted, this will be a living document that will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis as the residential lighting market continues to evolve. To be sure, consumers will have to learn new ways to think about and buy lighting. But the good news is they now have many MORE options of high quality efficient and SUPER efficient lighting products for all their lighting needs!
Ed White, VP of Energy Products at National Grid and NEEP Board Member
As consumers, we are faced with multiple choices in our decision making. Sometimes, personal preference can influence our choices, as in Dunkin’ Donuts vs. Starbucks coffee. Other times, technological improvements have an equally strong impact, as in the choice between an Android vs. an iPhone. Regardless of the breakfast beverage we opt to drink or the latest gadget we use, the bottom line is we have the ability to choose. As individuals, when faced with a decision, the choices we make matter. Energy efficiency is no different.
Posted in Guest Contributors
Tagged Energy Efficiency, National Grid, NEEP Summit, Northeast
It’s not apples and oranges so why are Northeast states treating energy efficiency savings so differently?
Earlier this year, NEEP’s Evaluation, Measurement & Verification Forum agreed to adopt a common set of statewide guidelines for reporting energy efficiency savings and associated costs, emissions and job impacts.
Posted in Best Practices
Tagged EMV Forum, energy efficiency programs, evaluation, measurement, verification
Josh Craft, Public Policy Associate
In today’s NJ Spotlight, “ Does Energy Efficiency Make It Tough for Utilities to Afford Upgrades?“, Mr. Johnson is correct that “it’s not your father’s utility company anymore.”
He is wrong, however, to suggest that energy efficiency is undermining efforts to reduce energy costs and make new investments in energy infrastructure. Forward-thinking utilities and policymakers have recognized that energy efficiency is New Jersey’s cheapest and most reliable source of energy. A few simple facts will help clarify the need for more, not less, investment in energy efficiency Continue reading
We’re so excited to introduce our Business Leaders for Energy Efficiency for 2011. Nominated by NEEP Sponsoring organizations, these companies are being honored for their commitment to sustainable innovation and for their contribution in keeping the Northeast a national leader in accelerating energy efficiency.
Leaders across the region agree to common reporting guidelines for efficiency savings.
Energy utility commissioners and energy efficiency leaders in the Northeast and Mid- Atlantic regions have agreed to implement a common set of statewide guidelines for reporting energy efficiency savings and associated costs, emissions and job impacts. This agreement by the Regional Evaluation, Measurement, & Verification Forum’s (EM&V Forum) Steering Committee marks a significant milestone in laying the groundwork for building greater transparency and credibility of energy efficiency as a reliable, plentiful energy resource in the region and further drives the energy efficiency agenda nationally. Continue reading
University of Vermont is one of 12 higher education institutions in the state investing millions in energy efficiency.
How far will $16 million dollars go to create green college campuses in the Green Mountain State? A lot further than you think. Recently, twelve of Vermont’s most prominent institutions of higher education pledged more than $16 million to green revolving funds, and they are using this money to make major improvements in energy efficiency – with an impact far greater than their initial investment. [More]
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