Energy
Market News
May 2008
NATIONAL ENERGY MARKET NEWS…
1. Companies Defer on Energy Saving: Other Goals Take Priority,
Poll Finds - Concerns about energy security, rising energy
costs and climate change are mounting, generating more buzz about energy
efficiency. But that buzz isn't yet translating into increased investment in
energy efficiency, says the survey released by Johnson Controls Inc., the
state's largest company and a key player in energy efficiency technology. Four out of five executives and
facility managers responsible for energy decisions forecast energy prices to
rise in the coming year, with a consensus that prices will escalate by nearly
14%, the survey found. The
second annual Energy Efficiency Indicator survey polled 1,150 energy
decision-makers online with the help of the International Facility Management
Association. The
survey found 72% of organizations are paying more attention to energy
efficiency than they were just a year ago. But the survey found 56% of companies expect
to make energy-efficiency improvements to their buildings, little changed from
last year's 57%. Hurdles include cost pressures
from other areas within a company; the payback period for savings on energy
costs; and the disconnect between that payback and the desire for commercial
real estate landlords to sell their buildings within a few years. 04/15 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
2. 
Improving Presentation Skills by Bill Attardi - Wednesday May 28 at 4:30 to 6:00 pm at Lightfair. This seminar is specific to learning the principles and
disciplines of today's presentation skills. A working manual is provided
for personal self-study and improvement using the learning tools at home or in
the office. Learning Objectives:
1. Learn how to prepare an effective presentation: preparation strategy,
organizing a sales presentation; techniques in presenting
2. Improve your personal delivery: mechanics of presenting effectively;
professional opening - first impression; the close - lasting impression
3. Effective use of PowerPoint to create the visuals and content to support
your presentation: fundamentals of effective visuals; the power of PowerPoint
3. Wow! What a Web Site - http://www.allmyfaves.com Open
this web site and try this out on your computer. The screen will fill with the
logos of most every store or info site that you will probably ever use. When
you click on a logo it takes you directly to the store or web site you have
selected. It's a great time saver and you don't have to hunt and type addresses
on the Internet.
4. FEMP’s Energy Efficiency Requirements - Below are links to FEMP's Purchasing Specifications for
Energy-Efficient Products for lighting products commonly purchased by federal
agencies. Each PEER provides a 1-2 page summary with buyer tips,
cost-effectiveness examples, and additional product resources. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/procurement/eep_requirements.html
5. Building Opportunities in the
Commercial Lighting Arena – by
Marc Hoffman and Ed Winsniewski of CEE.
See the complete article in EC&M April 2008:
6. DOE Releases Report from Lighting Designer
Roundtable - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued the report
from the Lighting Designer Roundtable on Solid-State Lighting (SSL), held in
Chicago on March 19, 2008. The Roundtable was hosted by DOE, the International
Association of Lighting Designers, and the Illuminating Engineering Society of
North America. Sixteen lighting designers, along with DOE representatives,
attended the one-day meeting to examine SSL market and technology issues and to
encourage an exchange of the designers' experiences, ideas, and recommendations
regarding SSL and the SSL industry. http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/PDFs/Designer%20Roundtable%20Report_final_Apr08.pdf
7. Consumers
Warming to LEDs as an Energy-Efficient Solution for Lighting, Finds Arrow
Electronics Study - With consumer interest in
energy-efficient lighting growing rapidly, the next wave of mass-market
residential and business lighting could be coming from LEDs. That's the key
finding of a new consumer survey commissioned by Arrow Electronics, Inc., a
leading global provider of products, services and solutions to users of
electronic components and enterprise computing solutions. http://www.ledjournal.com
8. Advance Products Join New NEMA Premium®
Ballast Program - Consistent with Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) specifications
and tested in accordance with ANSI standards, products eligible to participate
in the new NEMA Premium® Ballast Program include either instant-start or
programmed start fixed output, electronic ballasts designed for use with
four-foot 32-watt T8 fluorescent lamps. Qualifying products will bear a special
designation which will help lighting professionals and OEMs recognize the industry's
highest-performing ballast products available and optimally support the
market's green, energy-efficient, or sustainable lighting objectives. Advance's
Optanium® high-efficiency T8 ballasts are currently participating in the
NEMA Premium® Ballast Program. www.advancetransformer.com/nemapremium
9. U.S. Department of Energy Launches Website with Energy Saving
Tips for Consumers - The DOE today launched a new internet feature
which provides tips to consumers on how to make everyday Earth Day by making
smart energy choices to save money while protecting the environment. The
interactive web page, www.energy.gov shows consumers steps to use
less energy with household electronics, lighting, and appliances to save on
monthly bills and how to avoid wasting energy by improving the energy
efficiency of their homes and cars.
10. Solid-State
Lighting Top of List for DOE - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is focusing most of its research
and development budget on emerging technologies in solid-state lighting (SSL).
The SSL research activities represent an essential component of the DOE's
strategy for achieving zero-energy buildings - buildings that produce as much
energy as they use. The development of highly efficient, cost-effective SSL
technologies, along with advanced windows and space heating and cooling
technologies, can help reduce total building energy use by 60 to 70 percent.
05/’08 Buildings
11. Wal-Mart
Selects 20 Capitols for Energy Audits - Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
has announced partnerships with Missouri, 18 other states (Arkansas,
Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) and
Puerto Rico to help them save on energy and electricity costs at their
capitols. Wal-Mart will pay engineering experts to perform energy
audits at the capitols and recommend ways to save energy, lower electricity
costs and reduce greenhouse emissions, company officials told state leaders
Tuesday at the National Governors Association's State Summit on Clean Power and
Efficiency. Engineers will
visit the capitols in 2008 and 2009 to examine lighting, heating, ventilation,
air-conditioning systems, refrigeration equipment and building structures. Over the past three years, Wal-Mart has
worked to cut energy usage at its stores and suppliers. Through its Greening
State Capitols partnership with the National Governors Association, Wal-Mart
now will start working with the states.
05/06 AP
12. illumiNation
Event Dispels Myths About CFLs - On Earth Day, April 22, an
interactive online education event called illumiNation was
hosted by Aurora, OH-based TCP Inc. The event dispelled misconceptions
and set the record straight on the new light bulb that's reshaping lighting for
the new century. The event began at 9:00 a.m. EDT and is streamed lived on http://www.tcpi.com/earthday/
13. Fluorescent
Lamps 101 by Jana J. Madsen
- Understanding the basics of
fluorescent lamps guarantees that you'll select the most appropriate
fluorescent lighting, maximize lamp life, and dispose of spent lamps properly. http://www.buildings.com/articles/detail.aspx?contentID=6002
14. 
Green: The Latest Fashion in Building for 2008 - An investment in green practices is returned
via the continued health of occupants and the improved productivity of workers. In the building sector, the hot
color this year is green. But, green's popularity isn't coming from flashy
interior designers or brazen Paris decorators. Green technology, green
buildings, and green products have entered the thoughts, lexicons, and
practices of business professionals worldwide. Industry leaders in
construction, manufacturing, design, etc. are turning to green practices
because they're good for business. 05/’08 Buildings
15. ICC
Committee Sets Stage for Boost in Energy Efficiency - Model energy building efficiency codes under the 2009 International
Energy Conservation Code (IECC) could be strengthened substantially if action
taken at the just-completed 2008 Codes Forum of the International Code Council
(ICC) is upheld at the ICC annual meeting in September. The IECC, which is
amended every three years, is the model energy-efficient building code
recognized by federal law. The IECC
Development Committee’s recommendations will be submitted for approval at the
Final Action Hearings this fall where they will be voted on by the ICC’s
membership, which comprises government officials that administer, adopt or
enforce U.S. building codes. 04/’08
Electrical Contractor
16. 
Green Lighting - It wasn't too long ago that being green in
sports was synonymous with being a rookie. Recently, “green” has taken a
180-degree turn toward visionary. Today, it is the universal definition of
sustainable high-performance products that use energy--efficient materials to
support measurable results. Organizations—from Little League to the National
League of Cities and NASCAR to the NFL—are identifying sports lighting as a key
part of their budgets with a significant impact on sustainable operations.
The Detroit Lions headquarters and training facility was one of the first three
sports facilities to earn LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building
Council. Sustainable lighting played a key role. 04/’08 Electrical Contractor
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17. The Who’s Who of the Industry Will Turn Out
for this Historic Event – May 17-21 –
http://www.naed.org/meetings/national/index.html
18. 
Fuel Cell 2008, May
21-22, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
- Fuel Cell 2008 is the fifth annual conference designed for
organizations interested in learning more about and applying fuel cell
technology. The conference provides an interactive forum for OEMs, designers,
engineers and integrators to discuss the latest advancements in the industry.
This event will feature presentations from technology-leading companies
discussing the innovations behind portable, stationary and automotive fuel
cells. http://www.fuelcellmagazine.com/FC_2008/2008.htm
19. Acuity Brands
Announces New Businesses to Focus on Relighting and Energy Management - Acuity Brands, Inc. today announced it has
established two new businesses within its wholly-owned subsidiary Acuity Brands
Technology Services, Inc. (“ABTS”) to capitalize on the emerging opportunities
in both the turn-key renovation and the lighting, energy and maintenance
management markets. ABTS is currently comprised of two new businesses. SAERIS™
provides lighting renovation and energy services, with special focus on
turn-key lighting projects for major corporations, building owners,
municipalities and schools. SAERIS’ services will support Acuity Brands
Lighting’s existing sales channels to enhance pursuits of renovation and
relighting business opportunities. Another new business, ROAM®, provides
monitoring and control of indoor and outdoor lighting infrastructures utilizing
a combination of intelligent photocontrols, machine-to-machine communications,
wireless communications, and network management services. 04/17 BW
20. Gas Engines: Here to Stay - Despite its limitations and all the hype for electric cars and hydrogen fuel cells, experts say we'd better get used to pumping gas, but we can look forward to much better fuel economy down the road. That's because, despite it's imperfections, the internal combustion engine has a lot of inherent advantages but plenty of room for improvement. As those improvements are made, future gasoline engines will be more and more fuel efficient, making it tougher for competing technologies to show a big benefit. (...sounds a lot like the incandescent light bulb). 05/02 CNNMoney.com
21. 
CFLs and Swordfish? The National Lighting Bureau (NLB), Silver Spring, Md.,
isn't happy about what it calls "misinformation" regarding mercury in
compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and wants consumers to hear both sides of the story. In a recently released NLB P.R. statement, John
Bachner said the amount of mercury in the typical CFL is not enough to coat the
head of a pin and that, "The average swordfish contains 20 times as much
mercury." "When a CFL is broken, most of the mercury adheres to the
glass and does not disperse into the air," he said. "Reasonable
caution is all that's needed to deal with the situation." Good resources on the topic are:
· EPA’s: http://www.nlb.org/nlb/File/EPA_clean-up_guidance.doc
· NEMA’s: http://www.nlb.org/nlb/File/NEMA_WP_Recycling_Household_CFLs_09_07.doc
·
NLB’s: www.nlb.org
22. 
Green Power - While many distributors, reps and manufacturers are
still getting their arms around the new sales opportunities now available with
energy-efficient electrical products, just over the next hill is a world of
alternative energy sources that will change how we power the world. Part 1 of a multi-part series by Jim Lucy, Chief Editor of Electrical Wholesaling, April
2008 issue. Even if you aren't all that interested in the
green scene, you can't escape it anymore. When you
shell out $60 to fill up your SUV, you start wondering if you should buy a
hybrid. When you go to your office, you can't escape it, either. Turn the pages
of any electrical magazine these days and you see articles about LEED building
standards, bans on incandescent bulbs, utility rebates and LED lighting
systems.
STATE ENERGY
MARKET NEWS…
23. 
NEEP
will host the 2008
Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at the Marriott Hotel in Hartford, Connecticut - The 2008 Summit theme is "Clean, Lean and Green Growth." This full day conference will
demonstrate the success and value of energy efficiency to support economic
growth in the Northeast, while meeting important regional environmental goals.
It will feature speakers and panel presentations, a day long exhibit area
showcasing energy efficiency technologies and solutions and an evening dinner
event to celebrate business leadership in energy efficiency. The Summit proceedings
will encourage policymakers, business leaders, and
community members to adopt policies that will significantly increase energy
efficiency in homes, buildings and commercial industry. http://www.neep.org/conference/2008/
24.
National Grid Launches New
Brand Campaign - 'The Power of Action' - It's the beginning of a new era, as National Grid launches a new brand
campaign featuring the tagline, 'The power of action.' The campaign is designed
to encourage customers to partner with National Grid and take action in making
a difference by saving energy, managing their energy costs and protecting the
environment. The brand strategy includes an advertising campaign beginning
today in all major markets in which the company does business. The
advertisements focus on smart energy choices that we all can make from
conserving power to converting to natural gas to weather-proofing our homes -
taking action. National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million
customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and
manages the electricity network on Long Island. http://www.nationalgridus.com/ 05/05 BUSINESS
WIRE
25. Con Edison Proposes New Energy Efficiency Programs for a
Cleaner, Greener New York -
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) has filed a
plan with the New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC) asking that a
package of new energy efficiency programs be approved for implementation this
summer. The 11 residential and commercial programs proposed in the filing are
designed to achieve 378 MW of demand reduction and reduce energy use overall by
4.4 billion kilowatt hours (KWh). Total estimated cost of the programs is $306
million through 2015, varying from approximately $10 million this year to $75
million in 2015. www.coned.com
26.
New LIPA Energy Conservation
Program Unveiled - The Long Island Power Authority plans to
unveil today its most ambitious energy conservation program to date, levying a
new $3 monthly "assessment" on the average homeowner's bill in an
effort to cut demand enough to eliminate the need for another power plant.
Under the program starting in January, LIPA will spend nearly $1 billion over
10 years to encourage homeowners and businesses to adopt energy-efficient
measures and buy greener appliances. Two-thirds
of the program, which has a total budget of $924 million over 10 years, will go
to achieving energy savings at businesses, where greater reductions are
possible. Average businesses will pay between $10 and $25 a month, LIPA said,
depending on usage. 04/30
McClatchy-Tribune Regional News
27.
Progress Energy Carolinas Adds
to Proposed Energy-Efficiency and DSM Portfolio - Progress Energy Carolinas today proposed to the N.C. Utilities
Commission three additional programs to promote energy efficiency and
demand-side management. The filings are part of the utility's commitment to
creating a comprehensive portfolio of programs to appeal to customers of all
sizes, budgets and needs. Today's filings include programs that aim to increase
the level of energy efficiency built into new homes, and commercial, industrial
and government buildings, as well as a program to supplement energy-efficiency
retrofits for existing commercial, industrial and government facilities. http://www.progress-energy.com/http://www.savethewatts.com/ 
28.
Bredesen Sets Goals for Energy Task Force - With Tennesseans using
more electricity per capita than in any other state, Gov. Phil Bredesen hopes
an advisory panel can find solutions to curbing the state's energy appetite. Tennessee's
per capita electric use is about 7,000 kilowatt hours per household annually,
compared with a national average of less than 4,750 kilowatt hours. Energy Task
Force: http://www.tn.gov/energy 05/06 AP
29. Austin
Energy Maintains U.S. Lead in Green Power Sales - The municipal utility for Austin, Texas, sold more than
577 million kilowatt-hours of electricity from renewable sources in 2007,
holding onto its top spot in the United States for utility sales of green
power, according to DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). More than
800 utilities across the United States offer voluntary green programs to their
customers, according to NREL, which released its annual ranking of the leading
utility green power programs on April 22. Total utility green power sales
exceeded 4.5 billion kilowatt-hours in 2007, about a 20% increase over 2006.
For the sixth time in a row, Austin Energy leads the pack for total sales.
Austin Energy also comes in second for its percentage of total electricity
sales that are green power sales, at 5%, beat out only by the Edmond Electric,
the municipal utility for Edmond, Oklahoma, which is at 5.7% of total sales. 4/30 EERE
30. 
The Alamo Captivates Audience with Philips
LED Lighting Technology - Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, the new entity formed by
Philips' acquisition of Color Kinetics, recently added the Alamo to a growing
number of landmarks to be transformed by its intelligent LED lighting systems.
Located in San Antonio, Texas, the Alamo is an important symbol of Texas
liberty and American history. Photo by Bill FitzGibbons, Blue Star
Contemporary Art Center http://www.ledjournal.com/
31.
Los Angeles Approves an
Aggressive Green Building Ordinance -Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed a law on Earth Day that
requires all new large building projects in the city to meet green building
standards. Touted as the most aggressive green building plan of any big city in
the United States, the new law requires any new building with more than 50,000
square feet of floor space or consisting of more than 50 units to meet the LEED
green building standard of the U.S. Green Building Council. Builders who go the
extra step to pursue LEED Silver certification will benefit from expedited
processing of their building applications. 04/30 EERE
MONTHLY
FEATURE… Sustainable
Design & Operations
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/sustainable/sustainable_basics.html
A sustainable approach "meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs". Sustainable building
design and operation strategies demonstrate commitment to energy efficiency,
environmental stewardship, and conservation. These approaches result in an
optimal balance of energy, cost, environmental, and societal benefits, while
still meeting the mission of the agency and the function of the facility or
infrastructure. Two common synonyms for sustainable buildings include
"green buildings" and "high-performance buildings."
Benefits
Benefits of sustainable design include the
following:
(Links are provided to additional reference information in the Business
Case for Sustainable Design in Federal Facilities. The following documents
are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs.)
R Lower energy costs. Sustainable design can reduce
annual energy costs by 30-50%, with paybacks of 5-10 years. (PDF 865 KB,
34 pp)
R Reduced operating and maintenance
costs.
Water savings and sustainable landscaping measures, as well as building
commissioning and use of longer-lasting materials, save much more over their
lifetimes than their incremental first costs. (PDF 865 KB,
34 pp)
R Lower 'churn' costs. Some features, such as raised
flooring, result in a more flexible space that can be easily reconfigured, thus
reducing the cost of modifying space over the life of the building. (PDF 865 KB,
34 pp)
R Same or reduced first costs. When sustainable design
integrates natural heating, cooling, lighting, recycled materials, efficient
space planning, elimination of non-critical finishes and fixtures, and new
technologies, it can in some cases reduce both environmental impacts and
construction costs. (PDF 865 KB,
34 pp)
R Productivity. Studies show that organizations
may lower absenteeism and increase productivity when buildings are healthier,
more pleasant places to work. (PDF 865 KB,
34 pp)
R Better health and well-being. Scientific studies link health,
psychological well-being, and task performance to sustainable features
including good ventilation, personal controls, daylighting, low-emitting
interior materials, etc. Liability associated with sick building syndrome may
be reduced. (PDF 354 KB,
13 pp)
R Less Pollution. Lowering energy use will result
in decreases in sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide emissions,
making our cities cleaner, reducing the threat of climate change, and reducing
costs to society. (PDF 507 KB,
11 pp)
R Reduced impacts on natural
ecosystems.
Sustainable design decreases the impact on wildlife, ecosystems, and other
natural resources. (PDF 507 KB,
11 pp)
R Better image. Environmental stewardship in
facilities fosters community acceptance, political support, better ability to
attract and retain desirable employees, fewer complaints from surrounding
communities, less time and cost to deal with negative issues, and easier siting
of future facilities.