|
|
April 2009
|
National Energy Market News
1. DOE to Award $3.2 Billion in Energy Efficiency Block Grants DOE announced last week that it plans to invest $3.2 billion in energy efficiency and conservation projects in U.S. cities, counties, states, territories, and tribal lands. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, http://www.eecbg.energy.gov funded by the ARRA, will provide formula grants for energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, energy-efficient traffic signals and street lights, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. Cities and counties will receive nearly $1.9 billion under the block grant program, while states and territories will receive nearly $770 million, and more than $54 million will flow directly to tribal governments. States will receive and administer funds for those counties and cities that are not large enough to qualify for direct DOE funding. In addition, up to $456 million will be made available for local energy efficiency projects under a separate competitive solicitation to be released at a later date. Vendors and others interested in applying for the grants must register for access to https://www.fedconnect.net an online marketplace for federal grants. 04/02 EERE
2. Administration Announces Nearly $8 Billion in Weatherization Funding and Energy Efficiency Grants - VP Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Chu today detailed an investment of nearly $8 billion in state and local weatherization and energy efficiency efforts as part of the ARRA. With an investment of about $5 billion through the Weatherization Assistance Program and about $3 billion for the State Energy Program, the DOE will partner with state and local governments to put 87,000 Americans to work and save families hundreds of dollars per year on their energy bills. The State Energy Program funding will be available for rebates to consumers for home energy audits or other energy saving improvements; development of renewable energy projects for clean electricity generation and alternative fuels; promotion of Energy Star products; efficiency upgrades for state and local government buildings; and other innovative state efforts to help save families money on their energy bills. 03/12 WHITE HOUSE RELEASE
3. Energy Could Get a Positive Charge From Stimulus Plan - The future could be bright - at least for cities and businesses locally and across the country vying for billions in federal stimulus money to upgrade aging and costly street light bulbs. Within the $787-billion stimulus package Congress approved in Feb., $50 billion is available for energy programs. Cities are seeking billions in the package's energy efficiency and clean energy funds to revamp everything from street lights to restoring historic districts. They want to use some of that money to replace so-called high- pressure sodium bulbs, with longer-lasting, more energy efficient street lighting systems called light-emitting diode bulbs. 03/10 Pasadena Star-News
4. Electricity Grid Gets Boost from Congress - A complex web of 300,000 miles of transmission lines powers the country every day, providing energy for heating, lighting and every other power-based activity. The stimulus bill includes $11 billion for improvements to the grid — an investment many policymakers label as an essential component of increasing green energy and efficiency. This includes everything from installing transmission lines to employing new technologies to streamline the flow of energy. But although most experts agree the grid desperately needs to be updated, there's dispute about what role the federal government should play. Some groups want to see states lead the transformation; others say an integrated, timely renovation must be coordinated from Washington. 03/16 Washington Times
5. 
Do New Bulbs Save Energy if They Don’t Work?
- It sounds like such a simple thing to do: buy some new light bulbs,
screw them in, save the planet. But a lot of people these days are finding the
new CFL anything but simple. Consumers who are trying them say they sometimes
fail to work, or wear out early. At best, people discover that using the bulbs
requires learning a long list of do’s and don’ts. Irritation seems to be
rising as more consumers try CFLs, which now occupy 11 percent of the nation’s
eligible sockets, with 330 million bulbs sold every year. Consumers are posting
vociferous complaints on the Internet after trying the bulbs and finding them
lacking. “In the pursuit of the holy grail, we stepped on the consumer,” said
Michael Siminovitch, director of a lighting center at the University of
California, Davis. Energy Star standards are weak, permitting low-quality bulbs
with too high a level of mercury, a toxic metal contained in all compact
fluorescents. “The standard essentially establishes a floor, which sorts out
the junk, with the expectation that the rest is good,” Mr. Siminovitch said.
“It’s not.” The government, which will begin enforcing tighter
specifications this year, says it must seek a balance between quality and
affordability to achieve its goal of getting millions of additional consumers
to install the bulbs. 03/28 NY Times
6. Consumers Could Subvert Energy Conservation - As President Obama and Congress pump billions into energy conservation, experts warn that the promised energy savings could be undermined by consumer behavior. A marketing survey by the Shelton Group showed that one-third of respondents who made energy-efficiency efforts at home saw no decrease in their energy bills, and a 2008 study by University of Michigan economist Lucas Davis found that people given energy-efficient washing machines washed more clothes. People who install efficient lights lose 5%-12% of the expected energy savings by leaving them on longer and those who buy an efficient furnace lose 10%-30% of their savings, probably from raising the thermostat. One solution: Devices that tell people how much electricity they use hour-by-hour, so they know the power consumed by a particular appliance. 03/23 USA Today
7. Congressman Offers Energy Efficiency Bill - A Vermont congressman Rep. Peter Welch, a Democrat, has introduced a bill, the Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP), aimed at giving homeowners and businesses more reasons than ever to invest in energy efficiency. Specifically, the bill would direct the DOE and EPA to develop guidelines for a national energy efficiency program. The plan would also provide financial incentives of up to $3,000 for homeowners who can achieve a 10-20 percent increase in energy efficiency, while businesses could get up to 15 cents per square foot by improving their own efficiency as much as thirty percent, with added incentives for exceeding that level. 03/17 Washington Energy Services
8. Department of Energy Names ASHRAE 90.1-2004 as New National Energy Standard - The DOE has named the ASHRAE 90.1-2004 energy standard as the new national energy standard effective December 30, 2010. A special report by Craig DiLouie describes the relationship between ASHRAE 90.1 and LEED, Commercial Buildings Deduction, Federal building upgrades and the 2009 Congressional stimulus package, then details the major lighting differences between the 1999 version of 90.1, the current national energy standard, and the 2004 version, which will become the national standard in 2010. After 2001, the intention is to update the Standard every three years. http://www.aboutlightingcontrols.org/education/papers/2009/2009_ashrae_04.shtml For a list of states which residential and commercial building energy codes are in effect, go to: http://www.energycodes.gov/implement/state_codes/state_status_full.php
9. Stimulus Package Encourages Adoption of 90.1-2007 - Under the stimulus package enacted into law in February, DOE is offering $16.8 billion to the states for a variety of measures related to production of renewable energy, energy and conservation research, and other programs. For a state to qualify for the money, its governor is required to work towards implementation of a commercial energy code that is at least as stringent as 90.1-2007 and to develop a plan for achieving 90% compliance with the code, including provisions for training and enforcement. Meanwhile, the state must implement and enforce a residential energy code at least as stringent as IECC 2009. Interestingly, 2007 offers several significant refinements and improvements over 2004, but otherwise does not change the lighting power density limits. Visit Craig DiLouie white paper: http://www.aboutlightingcontrols.org/education/papers/2008_ashrae2007.shtml
10. So Where Is This Elusive Tipping Point for SSL by Jim Brodrick - If you look at performance trends over the last five years, you'll see a steady upward progression from 20 to 100 lm/W lamp efficacy. At the same time, retail prices show a steady downward progression from $500 per kilolumen a few years ago to $200 per kilolumen in 2008, based on purchases associated with CALiPER testing: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl/caliper.html Looking at the "better" products, while some are still over $500, some are down around $200-$250 per kilolumen. The rate of decline in dollars per kilolumen is around 25% per year. The future of lighting will be here sooner than you think.
11. U.S. Housing Starts See Unexpected Surge - U.S. housing starts unexpectedly surged 22.2% in February -- the biggest percentage rise since January 1990, the Commerce Department reported. This was a rare piece of good news after months of housing start declines in this recessionary economy. The Commerce Department said the jump in housing starts from a record low of 477,000 units in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 583,000 units in February was the first increase since April 2008, when they rose 1.6%. Still, February starts are 47.3% below the year-ago level. The surge was attributed to a rebound in multi-family units, which climbed 82% to 226,000 units. Construction of single-family homes climbed 1.1% to a 357,000 rate. Regionally, the Northeast led the surge with an 88.6% jump, followed by the Midwest (58.5%); the South (30.2%) and the West (-24.6%). 03/17 HCN
12. 
NEMA’s Website Includes Summary of ARRA Provisions Relevant
to the Electroindustry - http://www.nema.org/gov/economic-stimulus/
Congress passed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and it
contains significant tax, investment, and spending provisions impacting energy
efficiency, Smart Grid, health information technology, and infrastructure
projects, all of which were endorsed by NEMA.
State Energy Market News
13. Smart Grid's Growth Now Depends on States - Now that Congress has directed $4.6 billion in stimulus spending toward developing a "smart" electric grid, it will be up to the states to get consumers on board and adjust rates to pay for the technology. The improvements, backers say, will change nearly every part of the nation's aging power transmission system -- from how power plants distribute power to how consumers use it at home. The idea behind a smart grid is to install devices that, working together, can save energy by increasing efficiency, reduce blackouts and cut customers' bills. Smart meters, for example, could instantly report to customers the cost of electricity at any moment. But the technology is most effective when combined with other improvements. A utility has to be able to communicate fluctuating electric rates instantly, for example, for customers to save money by buying cheaper power. Regulators likely also will be asked to approve rate hikes to pay for improvements to the grid. 03/18 Stateline.org
14. New Jersey Poised to Grow Green Jobs - Most of the new green jobs that will be created in the years ahead will be energy efficiency jobs, such as conducting energy audits and weatherizing buildings, while a smaller number of jobs will be created to produce renewable energy, according to a report from the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes $50 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy, and forecasts the creation of 500,000 green jobs by the end of 2010. No one can be sure if the stimulus will create that many green jobs, but it is certain that there will be enormous opportunities for workers with a wide variety of education and skills. Most green jobs won’t require a four-year college degree, but instead will require an apprenticeship, professional certificate, or one or two years of education past high school, the report said. New Jersey is a leading solar energy state, the report noted — with 3,500 residential, commercial and industrial solar energy installations. The state ranks second behind California. 0312 NJBIZ
15. State Reports Strong Response to Energy Grants - A New Jersey state program to provide matching grants to companies that create energy-saving products to lower New Jersey’s greenhouse gas emissions is off to a good start. A joint program between EDA and the Board of Public Utilities that will provide $60 million in grants over the next five years just closed its first request for proposals; 13 proposals were submitted and another 50 have inquired about the programs. The matching grants will average $3.3 million, so the program will invest in four companies this year. The proposals are for ventures that will create products that reduce energy waste — such as LED lighting, solar panels and smart meters. 03/13 NJBIZ
16. Federal Government to Invest Additional $75.5M in N.J. Energy-Efficiency Projects - The Garden State will receive approximately $75.5 million in additional funding from the federal stimulus package for local energy-efficiency improvements as part of a $3.2 billion federal investment in such projects nationwide, the White House announced Friday. The new funds will go into the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which will provide grants for projects that reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. The additional money comes on top of $192 million in funding the administration announced earlier this month for New Jersey’s Weatherization and State Energy programs. Nearly $268 million from the ARRA has been committed to the state’s energy programs, according to the DOE.The block grants will support energy audits and energy efficient retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and the creation of incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. Of the $75.5 million in new funding, $14.4 million will go to the state’s energy office, while the remainder will be allocated to 65 municipalities and 10 counties. 03/27 NJBIZ
17. Chu, Solis Bring 'Green Jobs' Money to PA - Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis have announced $102.5 million in green jobs funding while visiting a community college near Pittsburgh. The cabinet secretaries are making the visit Thursday as the Obama administration touts $102.5 million for energy efficiency and conservation projects in Pennsylvania as part of $3.2 billion earmarked for such projects nationwide. Chu and Solis are visiting a training facility at the Community College of Allegheny County in Oakdale. Allegheny County is getting a little over $8 million, second only to Philadelphia which received $14.1 million, the most of any city or county in the state. The Pennsylvania Office of Energy and Technology Deployment is getting more than $23.5 million. 03/26 AP
18. Stimulus May Aid NC Energy Projects - Federal stimulus funding targeted to energy efficiency and conservation initiatives may help town efforts to improve lighting, fund residential energy audits or aid nonprofit organizations. Funding amounts are determined based on population and energy use. North Carolina will receive as much as $58 million, with larger cities such as Charlotte ($6.8 million) and Durham ($2.2 million) getting the biggest shares. Chapel Hill is eligible for $554,900. Last week, the town and Duke Energy of the Carolinas installed LED lighting on the 100 block of downtown, marking the launch of a pilot program to measure whether there are energy and financial benefits compared with standard high-pressure sodium lighting. 04/01 The Herald-Sun
19. UM Gets Funds for Renovations - The Board of Public Works has approved a $20 million contract to improve energy efficient in campus buildings at the University of Maryland in College Park. The contract, approved Wednesday, will be used to buy and install efficient electrical, mechanical and plumbing equipment in some of the campus' oldest buildings. 04/01 AP
20. $31.5 Million to Help SC Save Energy - Another $31.5 million in federal stimulus money is on its way to South Carolina, this time in the form of grants for energy efficiency and conservation projects that will be selected by cities, towns and counties. Local governments in South Carolina that don't receive money directly from the federal government can compete for roughly $5.7 million that will be distributed through the State Energy Office. All local governments can compete for an additional $400 million that will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. 03/31 The Post and Courier
21. Energy-Efficiency Upgrades in Michigan - Consumers Energy, Lansing, Mich., is inviting companies to submit bids to participate in the start of a $500-million program to help Michigan residents and businesses use energy more efficiently and save on their energy bills. Expected to start in July, these positions will be in energy auditing, equipment installation and pickup, engineering, education, and administration. In addition, contractors will install additional high-efficiency electrical and mechanical upgrades, including items such as furnaces, air conditioning, lighting, and hot water heaters. The Consumers Energy’s Request for Proposal (RFP) includes bid opportunities to implement programs in the following areas: business solutions; residential efficient products; residential comprehensive homes; residential appliance recycling; and grade 4-6 energy education. Contractors may choose to respond to one, several, or all of the RFP areas. For more information, visit http://client.summitblue.com/ConsumersEnergy/ 03/17 EC&M
22. Stimulus Bill to Boost Colorado's New Energy Economy - Business and political leaders are banking on Colorado's new energy leadership to give it a big edge in the competition for billions of federal stimulus dollars promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency. Colorado expects $130 million for weatherization of homes and the state energy program. Communities are in line for block grants. And businesses and researchers will compete for undetermined grants and loan guarantees. Another $50 million is set aside for state energy programs, including training people for energy jobs and projects that are ready to go and just need financing. 03/24 AP
23. Cities Following Battle Creek MI's Lead in Installing LED Lights, Signs - During an 18-month period ending in October, Battle Creek, MI installed low-energy LEDs in streetlights and signs throughout the city. Now, dozens more cities are planning conversions. At least 30 cities have asked for more than $104 million in federal stimulus funds to help them make the change. Some are:
R Ann Arbor, MI began converting its downtown lights to LEDs in 2007
R Anchorage, AK announced last year it was spending $2.2 million to upgrade streetlights
R San Jose, CA will convert 100 lights this spring and is seeking $20 million in stimulus for up to 25,000 more
R If Milwaukee, WI gets the $14 million in stimulus funds it's seeking, it will replace 6,700 of its 67,709 streetlights with LEDs
R Missouri City, TX wants to convert 75 percent of its 31,000 streetlights to LEDs
R Urbana, IL is testing LED streetlights
R Los Angeles, CA is looking to replace 140,000 streetlight fixtures with LED units over the next five years
R Battle Creek's LED installation was part of a $4.1 million energy conservation http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com
24. Black Hills to Offer Energy-Saving Incentives - Anyone planning to put in a new air conditioning system or even stocking up on light bulbs might want to put off any big purchases until after June. Black Hills Energy officials said they want to start offering incentives by July 1 for customers who cut their energy use. The plan needs to be approved by the Colorado Utilities Commission. A state law requires Black Hills to reduce demand by customers to a level equal to 95 percent of what it provided in 2006 by 2018, regardless of growth in the number of customers. The programs will be offered to both residential and commercial customers and Black Hills has budgeted $7.4 million over the next three years to cover the costs. That money, in turn, will come from a 1.22 percent rate increase on all customers. Commercial customers and school districts can get rebates for installing new lighting, air conditioning and other systems or putting in monitoring equipment that will allow them to reduce energy use. 03/12 The Pueblo Chieftain
25. PSE Backs Youth Fundraising Efforts With CFL Bulbs - With budget cuts threatening youth programming in WA statewide, Puget Sound Energy and the organizers of ITSCOOL, a service-learning fundraising initiative, announced today that PSE will provide thousands of compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to support the program's local youth fundraising efforts in 2009. PSE is backing ITSCOOL to support the program's unique use of energy conservation activities to educate and train youth as leaders, while also helping customers save money on their energy bills. Youth groups that sell the CFL bulbs will be able to keep up to 63 percent of the money they raise. Groups interested in participating in ITSCOOL fundraisers and bringing their community together to encourage energy efficiency can visit the Community page at www.PSE.com
MONTHLY FEATURE… http://www.tedmag.com/common/articlelink.asp?currentpage=7632
2009 Recovery Act Economic Stimulus Funds—Key Contacts and Resources
More information is available through the NEMA Economic Stimulus webpage, www.nema.org/gov/economic-stimulus
The Federal Government’s Portal Site for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is www.recovery.gov
Smart Grid and Energy Efficiency
- Demonstration
Projects: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has noticed its intent to offer funding
Investment Matching Fund
- Monitor
DOE
Recovery Act page
- Monitor
DOE Smart
Grid page
Transmission Upgrades for Federal Power Authorities:
Advanced Battery Manufacturing Grants:
- Watch
the DOE Industrial Technologies page
Industrial Energy Efficiency:
- DOE
has noticed its intent to fund industrial energy efficiency projects as
well as district energy and combined heat and power (CHP). More here.
- DOE
has awarded funding to 12 states for industrial energy efficiency programs.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants:
Building Infrastructure
- Federal
Building Upgrades—GSA’s Public Buildings Service has responsibility for the
$750 million to renovate and construct federal buildings and courthouses,
$300 million to renovate and construct land ports of entry and $4.5
billion to convert federal buildings to high-performance green buildings.
- Department
of Defense—leadership contacts
- Public
Housing—The Department of Housing and Urban Development has responsibility here
Health Information Technology
- The
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible here
Transportation Infrastructure
- See
the Federal Highway Administration Recovery
site
- See
the Federal Transit Administration Recovery
site
State and Local Governments
- NEMA’s
stimulus
page for links to state and local resources
- Go here for
information on how the stimulus package will affect each state
Additional Stimulus Stuff
Green Economic Recovery Resources (from the USGBC)
Broadband Stimulus Plan (from the FOA)
Note: This item follows the March 5 TedMag Special Report, which included 30 links for information on “Your Piece of the Stimulus.” 03/26 TedMag.com