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December 2008

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Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah Everybody

 

             

 

 

 

National Energy Market News

 

1.      President-Elect Barack Obama Commits to Reduce America's Global Warming Pollution and Unleash a Clean Energy Revolution - The President-elect told the Bi-Partisan Governors Global Climate Summit in Los Angeles on Nov. 18: “I promise you this: When I am president, any governor who's willing to promote clean energy will have a partner in the White House. Any company that's willing to invest in clean energy will have an ally in Washington. And any nation that's willing to join the cause of combating climate change will have an ally in the United States of America.” www.environmentaldefense.org

 

2.      Obama Outlines Initiative to Create 2.5 Million Jobs - President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday outlined some of his plan to create 2.5 million jobs by 2011, and said he will push for immediate action by Congress when he takes office in January.  Obama wants to make public buildings more energy-efficient, repair roads and bridges, modernize schools, increase broadband access and ensure that health care professionals have access to the latest technology.  "Our government now pays the highest energy bill in the world," he said in the weekly Democratic radio address.  “We need to upgrade our federal buildings by replacing old heating systems and installing efficient light bulbs. That won't just save you, the American taxpayer, billions of dollars each year. It will put people back to work…………..We’ll measure progress by the reforms we make,” Mr. Obama said, “and the results we achieve by the jobs we create, by the energy we save, by whether America is more competitive in the world.”   12/07 CNN

 

3.      Obama, Aides Consider Appointing Energy 'Czar' - President-elect Barack Obama and his aides are close to naming a slate of appointees to run the departments of Interior and Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency amid debate on whether to establish a White House-level post to coordinate policies on climate change and dependence on Middle East oil. The wrangle over the creation of a high-level energy council or climate "czar" could determine which appointees will run the three agencies, which have the biggest impact on energy and climate policy.  12/06 WSJ

4.      Stimulus Push Gets Greener Tint - President-elect Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are intensifying work on a stimulus plan that would dole out roughly half-trillion dollars over two years on tax-rebate checks and an array of "green" projects from home weatherization to renewable energy. Complex green infrastructure initiatives -- such as building renewable energy plants, improving the electrical grid and installing "smart" meters that allow consumers to reap benefits from using electricity at off-peak hours -- would take effect well into the second year. 12/06 WSJ

 

5.      Why the Energy Crisis Will Outlast the Credit Crisis - The looming global energy crisis is unlikely to be on the agenda when the leaders of the world's major economic powers gather in Washington on Saturday for the Group of 20 summit: After all, they're scrambling to fix the world's financial system and soften the landing of the slowing world economy, and energy may seem a lot less urgent than the credit crisis — indeed, one silver lining of the global financial crisis has been a falloff in energy consumption and therefore, lower oil prices. About 97% of the world's new carbon emissions will come from outside the United States and Europe, largely from China, India and the Middle East, who will consume about half the world's energy by the year 2030. Before global habits begin to change permanently, greenhouse gas output will keep rising, probably at least until 2020. By which time the financial crisis of 2008 might seem like ancient history. 11/15 Time Magazine

 

6.      U.S. Green Building Council Revises its LEED Rating System - The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) will introduce a new version of its LEED green building certification program in 2009. The USGBC announced last week that the new version, called LEED 2009, has been approved via a ballot of USGBC members. The new rating system reflects that ideal, giving more weight to factors that influence energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. 11/26 EERE http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/News/Press%20Release_LEED%202009.pdf

 

7.      LEED for Retail Now Open for Public Comment - USGBC recently opened the public comment period for its LEED for Retail rating system, both for new construction and commercial interiors projects. LEED for Retail recognizes the unique nature of the retail environment and offers a certification system that addresses the various types of retail spaces available — from grocery stores to big box retailers and restaurants and banks. Since the pilot’s launch in April 2007, USGBC has collaborated with more than 80 retail pilot project teams to develop and refine the innovative program. Once balloted, LEED for Retail will become a part of LEED 2009, the next evolution of the LEED green building certification system.  To view LEED for Retail and submit comments, visit www.usgbc.org/LEED/LEEDDrafts/RatingSystemVersions.aspx?CMSPageID=1458. 11/26 EC&M

 

8.      DOE Releases New CALiPER Benchmark Reports - The DOE has published its first two CALiPER Benchmark Reports, to allow easier comparison of light-emitting diode (LED) products with conventional lighting technologies. The benchmark reports offer detailed analysis of test results for both traditional and LED products for a given application, comparing a range of standard lighting measures (e.g., power usage, light output and distribution, efficacy, correlated color temperature, color rendering index). The first two benchmark reports address:

R     Performance of Incandescent A-Type and Decorative Lamps and LED Replacements

R     Performance of Halogen Incandescent MR16 Lamps and LED Replacements

Both reports are available for download at www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/comm_testing.htm

 

9.      Reed Sees Bad Things A-Rising - In its November 2008 “construction industry update,” Reed Construction data shows Construction Start values, Jan.-Oct. 2008 vs. Jan.-Oct. 2007:

R     Residential: Down 34.4%

R     Non-residential: Down 3.6%

R     Heavy engineering: Up 0.1%

R     Total: Down 15.8%

http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/pdf/ExecInsights.pdf

 

10.  Energy Savings Estimates of Light Emitting Diodes in Niche Lighting Applications - Just think about the energy saving potential of LED downlights, referenced in a recent Posting www.lighting-facts.com and detailed in this DOE report, The report analyzed the energy saving potential of twelve product types, including LED downlights. Estimates for residential downlights indicate that over 500 million are currently installed. If all of them switched overnight to LEDs, the electricity savings potential would be $8.4 billion in electricity costs, or the equivalent of replacing twelve 1000-megawatt power plants.  http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/PDFs/nichefinalreport_october2008.pdf

 

11.  DOE Reports High Marks for Philips LED-based Undercabinet Light - Highlighting the progress and viability of LED sources for residential use, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released the results of its latest GATEWAY Demonstration - finding that Philips eW Profile Powercore generates significant energy savings, improved illuminance uniformity and positive user feedback. The independent test was conducted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as part of the DOE's GATEWAY Demonstration program, which provides real-world data on the performance and cost-effectiveness of LED products in various commercial and residential applications. The GATEWAY Demonstration report is available for download from the DOE's website here: http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/PDFs/gateway_eugene.pdf

 

12.  A Great Day for Renewable Energy by Tam Hunt - President-elect Obama has long called for action to mitigate climate change and to decrease foreign energy dependence.  Here's the summary of Obama's stated energy policy:

R     Help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future

R     Within 10 years save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined

R     Put one million Plug-In Hybrid cars -- cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon -- on the road by 2015, cars that we will work to make sure are built here in America

R     Ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025

R     Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050

R     100% auction requirement for pollution allowances under a national cap and trade system

R     Proposed windfall profits tax on oil companies  11/13 EnergyPulse

 

 

13.  Architecture Billings Index Falls More than Six Points - Following three consecutive months of greater stability in design activity, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell precipitously, dropping more than six points. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine- to twelve-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Washington, D.C., reported the September ABI rating was 41.4, down sharply from the 47.6 mark in August (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The inquiries for new projects score was 51.0. This is also the first time in 2008 that the institutional sector has fallen below the 50 mark.  11/26 EC&M

 

14.  Acuity, Renaissance & LEDs - Acuity Brands has formed a “strategic partnership” with Renaissance Lighting (Herndon, Va.), said to specialize in LEDs in architectural lighting. The deal sees Acuity license Renaissance’s products.   11/20 TedMag

 

15.  China CFL Recycling - TCP is working on China’s first CFL recycling program for consumers with the JUCCCE (Joint U.S.-China Cooperation on Clean Energy). The program will roll out next year and offer recycling free of charge to “millions of consumers.” 11/20 TedMag

 

16.  GE Claims LED Gains - Five lighting fixture manufacturers are marketing and selling commercial and residential fixtures that incorporate the Vio high-power white LED introduced less than 12 months ago, according to a release from the LED business of GE Consumer & Industrial. 11/20 TedMag

 

17.  GE Suspends Development of “High-Efficiency Incandescent” - Back in February 2007 General Electric announced that it had made key advancements in the development of a high-efficiency incandescent (HEI) light bulb that would be as efficient as a compact fluorescent bulb (CFLs) but without the mercury and with better light quality. Early versions would hit the market by 2010, the company said.  Canada’s Clean Break asked for an update and here’s the reply from GE spokesman David Schuellerman: GE Consumers & Industrial and GE Global Research have suspended the development of the high-efficiency incandescent lamp (HEI) to place greater focus and investment on what we believe will be the ultimate in energy efficient lighting — light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Research and development of these technologies is moving at an impressive pace and will be ready for general lighting in the near future. LEDs and OLEDs used in general lighting are now poised to surpass the projected efficiency levels of HEI, along with other energy-efficient technologies like fluorescent, and have the additional benefits of long life and durability.

http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2008/11/26/ge-suspends-development-of-high-efficiency-incandescent/

 

18.  Women Willing to Spend More on Eco-Products - Women are more interested in green products than men are (by 57 percent versus 47 percent), according to the latest research results from the NPD Group. And women are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products. But while the gender differences are significant, general interest in green products -- across demographic boundaries -- is high. More than half of those surveyed think of themselves as extremely or very interested in green products. Recycled product use is high, at 65 percent, and about the same portion of those surveyed say they use CFL bulbs.  11/21 HCN

 

 

19.  Automatic Lighting Shutoff - Most energy codes require that interior lighting be shut off when it’s not in use, with load-scheduling controls being one way to comply. The Lighting Controls Associations EE102 course, Switching Control, now includes a new and improved section on load-scheduling control strategies, technology and design. Registered/Accredited with NCQLP, AEE and NALMCO. www.aboutlightingcontrols.org

 

20.  Greenspace: LEDs: A Bright (and Cheap) Idea - It's time to deck the halls with LEDs. The pros have embraced holiday LEDs. Last year, the national Christmas tree in Washington, the tree in New York's Rockefeller Center, and the Times Square New Year's ball all went LED. This year, Philips Lighting is upping the ball's glitter quotient with more than 32,000 LEDs, digitally controlled to create 16 million colors -- must be pretty subtle -- and "billions" of effects. GE Consumer and Industrial touts the Washington tree's 45,000 LEDs as "the most energy-efficient holiday display in our national history." Closer to home, Longwood Gardens, Pa., whose annual display attracts 220,000 gawkers, has been gradually converting and now is 80 percent LED. The King of Prussia mall just converted 300,000 of its half-million holiday lights. 12/04 The Philadelphia Inquirer

 

21.  Energy-Saving LED Lights Keep Holiday Displays' Bills in Check - In El Paso and elsewhere around the country, more homeowners are looking into energy-saving lighting as they look for ways to cut costs during this difficult economic season. Retailers such as Home Depot report that they are doubling their selections of LED string lights, LED yard decor items and artificial trees with LED lighting. Web users can find an array of solar-powered Christmas lights that are LED, under various sites including www.noveltylights.com   Last year, Home Depot sold more than 40,000 miles of light sets, and the demand continues to rise. The El Paso light show can be seen on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZJfWMva8Sk   12/04 El Paso Times

 

22.  DOE to Offer $25 Billion in Loans for Advanced Vehicles - DOE issued an Interim Final Rule last week for the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, which will distribute up to $25 billion in direct loans to automakers and component manufacturers. The loans will help those manufacturers establish new U.S. manufacturing facilities or reequip or expand existing ones within the United States for the production of advanced technology vehicles and the components for such vehicles.  The loan program was authorized by section 136 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.  11/12 EERE (not to be confused with the $34 billion bailout they are seeking)

 

23.  At Exxon, Making the Case for Oil - Six years of relentlessly rising prices have showered the oil industry with record profits even as whipsawing energy costs have left many Americans alternately furious and baffled.  Moreover, with the election of Barack Obama, a new chapter is about to open for the nation’s energy policy. Mr. Obama says he wants to move away from oil dependence, and his policies are likely to emphasize conservation, alternative energy sources and new limits on the emissions of greenhouse gases responsible for climate change.  While other oil companies try to paint themselves greener, Exxon’s executives believe their venerable model has been battle-tested. The company’s mantra is unwavering: brutal honesty about the need for oil and gas to power economies for decades to come. From a purely financial standpoint, there’s no doubt that Exxon’s business strategy has paid off. Despite the broader economic turmoil, Exxon is worth around $375 billion — more than General Electric, Bank of America and Google combined — making it the world’s largest corporation.   11/06 NY Times

 

 

 

24.  SOGBNew Report Measures the Actual Impacts of Green Buildings for the First Time - Green buildings have saved the U.S. billions of gallons of water and enough energy to avoid the equivalent of burning of 1.3 million tons of coal for electricity since the development of the LEED standards.  In the process, these high-performance buildings have produced millions of dollars in employee productivity gains, avoided thousands of tons of soil erosion, and created a multibillion dollar market for the green building materials used in their construction.  The Green Building Impact Report is the first integrated assessment of the land, water, energy, material and indoor environmental impacts of buildings built to the USGBC's LEED standard.  Free download available at http://greenbiz.com

 

25.   2009 Market Planning Guide - by Jim Lucy, Chief Editor, and Kristin Letourneau, Ph. D., Associate Director of Market Research for Penton Media. 11/’08 Electrical Wholesaling

                      Market Mix                                                                 Customer Mix

Product Mix

 

State Energy Market News

 

26.  DOE and EPA Release an Energy Efficiency Action Plan for States - DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have released an updated version of the National Action Plan Vision for 2025: A Framework for Change, which lays out a proposed energy efficiency action plan for state policy makers. If implemented by all states, the plan could lower energy demand across the country by 50%, achieve more than $500 billion in net savings over the next 20 years, and reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 90 million vehicles. An executive summary of the action plan is available at: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/documents/vision_execsumm.pdf

 

27.  MA’s NSTAR Proposes Expanded Energy Efficiency Programs - In a plan endorsed by the commonwealth's leading business, environmental and low-income consumer groups, NSTAR is proposing to expand its energy efficiency programs by nearly 50 percent in the coming year. The company is the first utility to file its expanded 2009 energy efficiency proposal in direct response to the Green Communities Act and Governor Deval Patrick's call for increased conservation in Massachusetts. If approved by the Department of Public Utilities, funding for new and existing programs available to NSTAR customers will increase to $74 million next year.12/02 Business Wire

 

28.  NYC's Great White Way is Going Green - The Great White Way is going green. Mayor Michael Bloomberg - with the help of green friends like "Wicked" witch Elphaba - launched the "Broadway Goes Green" initiative Tuesday that includes plans to use energy-saving bulbs and recycle stage sets. The aim of the campaign is to reduce Broadway's carbon footprint, a measure of greenhouse gases produced by human activity. Ten theaters already have replaced some 10,000 bulbs with more energy-efficient ones. And within the next 12 months, all of Broadway's theaters will have made the switch. The initiative is part of the mayor's PlanNYC goal www.nyc.gov/planyc2030 to reduce the city's carbon footprint 30 percent by 2030.  11/25 AP

 

29.  Gas in N.J. at Lowest Price in Three Years - Garden State motorists are paying the cheapest per-gallon price for regular gasoline since March 29, 2005, The state average gas price fell overnight from $2 yesterday to $1.97 today, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.  The current gas price is more than $2 cheaper than the $4 peak New Jersey reached on July 8 and nearly $1 less than it was one year ago, when regular gas cost $2.92 per gallon. Prices could drop further after Thanksgiving.  The national average for regular gas is currently quoted at $2.05, according to AAA. New York had the highest state average, at $2.42 a gallon, and Missouri had the lowest, at $1.75 a gallon. 11/19 NJBiz

 

30.  PSE&G to Implement Energy Efficiency Programs - An innovative program developed by Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) to help its customers curb energy consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions was approved today by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU). The action paves the way for PSE&G to begin offering energy saving measures directly to families, businesses and hospitals in the state. The $46 million project will help address climate change and assist New Jersey in achieving its aggressive carbon reduction goals. The program specifically targets residential and small commercial customers in underserved urban markets, hospitals, and large commercial warehouses in port areas with high energy demand growth.  http://www.pseg.com

 

 

31.  VA, WVA Embracing Energy Efficient Light Bulbs - Virginia and West Virginia residents appear to be embracing energy efficient light bulbs, according to a survey conducted by Appalachian Power.  The survey of 4,500 customers shows that more than 62 percent of them have made the switch from incandescent bulbs that can use up to 75 percent more energy, the utility reported Friday.  The findings represent a "huge swing" in customer lighting preference.

 

32.  Bulb Exchange Nets $44,389 in Savings for KUA Customers - Hundreds of Florida’s Kissimmee Utility Authority customers will enjoy an estimated $44,389 in energy savings during the next year, thanks to a free light bulb exchange hosted by the utility on Nov. 8. The bulb exchange – where utility customers could swap up to five of their incandescent light bulbs for energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) -- was part of Great Outdoor Days, an annual outdoor festival featuring a variety of conservation and environmental exhibits. KUA employees distributed 2,488 CFL bulbs during the seven-hour event. www.kua.com/resources

 

33.  Ace Co-Hosting Energy Workshops in Colorado - Ace Hardware stores across Colorado have teamed with Xcel Energy and Lightly Treading Energy & Design to host a series of free informational workshops to help consumers save money on energy bills this winter.  With Colorado residents facing a 12 percent increase in natural gas costs this winter, the workshops will educate consumers about how to conserve energy and lower utility bills. They will provide tips on everything from energy-efficient appliances and lighting to DIY energy efficiency projects such as installing and setting programmable thermostats, changing furnace filters and sealing leaks around doors and windows.   11/18 HCN

 

34.  Wal-Mart Likes Wind - Along with beating its goal last year of selling 100 million compact fluorescent lamps and taking a lead role in sustainable building practices, on Nov. 20 Wal-Mart announced its first substantial purchase of wind energy in the United States. Wind power will supply up to 15 percent of the retailer’s total energy load in approximately 360 Texas stores and other facilities. The renewable energy will come from a Duke Energy wind farm under construction in Notrees, Texas, and is expected to begin producing electricity for Wal-Mart by April of 2009. http://walmartstores.com/FactsNews/NewsRoom/8806.aspx

 

35.  California Approves $1 Billion for Low-Income Energy Efficiency - The California Public Utilities Commission has approved a budget of $1 billion over the next three years for the state's Low Income Energy Efficiency program. The program provides energy efficient appliances and weatherization measures at no cost to California households with low incomes. The CPUC ruling calls for utilities to identify the poorer neighborhoods in their customer base and then identify energy efficiency opportunities by examining the energy use of each household in the targeted neighborhoods. The ruling also calls for comprehensive energy audits in each participating home, followed by a "whole house" approach to identifying energy efficiency improvements. http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/AGENDA_DECISION/93393.htm  11/12 EERE

36.  PSE Launches Innovative Home Energy Reports - Home Energy Reports, a first-of-its-kind program for the Pacific Northwest, now allows 40,000 Puget Sound Energy customers to compare their electricity and natural gas use with that of similar-sized homes in their neighborhood. The free pilot program, currently being tested by PSE in King County, gives single family homeowners detailed reports that offer greater insight into their personal energy consumption, as well as specific, personalized suggestions for how they can save energy and money. Additional rebates of $2 to $20 are available for CFL bulbs and lighting fixtures.  www.PSE.com 11/10 BUSINESS WIRE


Special Feature…   http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/publications-factsheets.htm

The LED lighting revolution is bringing advantages like energy efficiency, durability, directionality, compact size, cold temperature operation, instant on, rapid cycling, controllability. As more and more LED products come to market, the need for "just the facts" will increase. The only way to evaluate the options, costs, and benefits is to do your homework—and the DOE fact sheets provide helpful tools to assist you:

LED Basics

LED Application Series

LED Measurement Series