EPA Honors Efficiency Programs for Climate Protection

Washington, DC—Marc Hoffman, representing the members of the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), accepted the U.S. EPA Climate Protection Award at a ceremony on April 21, 2009 in Washington, DC. Elizabeth Craig, acting assistant administrator at EPA Office of Air and Radiation, commented in her opening remarks that awardees "have changed the course of history for the better." Kathleen Hogan, EPA director of Climate Protection Partnerships, explained, "The Consortium for Energy Efficiency has proven that when people unite for a common cause, great achievements are possible. In the case of CEE, these achievements are critical for climate protection."

"It's a thrill for me to accept this award on behalf of our members in both the U.S. and Canada. Effective efficiency programs don't just happen," stated Hoffman, executive director of CEE. "Our members have been developing consensus on high efficiency for their programs, leveraging each other's work to transform whole markets." From seven founding utilities in 1991, CEE now has over a hundred members, all of whom work to advance efficiency in the public interest. Together, these utilities and nonutilities, public and private, gas and electric, make an impact. In 2008, members directed over $4 billion of ratepayer funding. In 2007, CEE member efficiency programs in both countries saved 69,000 GWh of electricity, 235 million therms of gas, and abated more than 41 million metric tons of CO2. Their efforts rang up over $6 billion USD in savings for participating customers in 2007.

CEE members work together to reach decisions that advance efficiency in areas such as industry, residences, and commercial buildings. All these sectors require close attention to product detail and service standards. The following accomplishments made in 2008 contributed to the EPA decision to grant the award.

• CEE members recognized consumer electronics as a growing area of energy use and energy efficiency opportunity, resulting in a program guide addressing marketing issues along the supply chain and for consumers. In addition, CEE specified a tier above ENERGY STARŪ for televisions.
• CEE members piloted the Save More with ENERGY STAR concept as a differentiator of CEE tier 2 products in appropriate markets.
• Advanced ENERGY STAR Quality Installation program of HVAC equipment by making sure it meets member needs, encouraging member commitment, and planning outreach to other members in 2009. CEE expanded its partnership with AHRI to include Quality Installation in the CEE-AHRI directory, www.ceedirectory.org.
• Organized and ran the Lighting for Tomorrow fixture design contest for the fifth year, again expanding submissions and event categories, to create a supply of attractive, energy efficient lighting options.
• Members identified systemic commercial HVAC savings and worked closely with ACCA to address Quality Installation for these systems. CEE also resolved performance specifications for residential and commercial HVAC.
• CEE members are addressing whole building efficiency through both residential and commercial initiatives.
• Produced a summary paper of data centers and servers program opportunities that includes market players and motivations, data center energy intensity, and IT hardware and software option to reduce consumption.
• Commercial kitchens produced two new specifications in the past year while coordinating closely with ENERGY STAR. Forty-three members in 22 states and provinces are now running commercial kitchen programs.
• CEE continues its work with NEMA on Motor Decisions Matter^SM to continue to improve motor efficiency across the industrial sector. NEMA expands its labeling program, NEMA PremiumŪ to include our efficiency tiers for lighting ballasts.
• CEE is focusing on water and wastewater treatment facilities as a relatively new efficiency opportunity with good results.
• CEE members coalesce around hot water heating with the new Coalition for ENERGY STAR Water Heaters campaign.

The members of the Consortium for Energy Efficiency are proud to receive this award and have their work recognized. Energy efficiency saves the environment by reducing electric generation and creating the most efficient use of natural gas.