Energy
Market News
September 2008
[view August 2008]
National Energy Market News
1. Landmark
Housing Bill Awaits Signature of President Bush - Culminating months of intensive advocacy efforts by the entire
NAHB federation, the Senate has approved a major housing stimulus package
that will go to the President’s desk to be signed into law shortly. H.R. 3221, the Housing and Economic Recovery
Act of 2008, includes several provisions aimed at ending the current cyclical
downturn in the housing industry and strengthening the housing finance system
so that it will provide critical support as the marketplace gains strength. The
centerpiece of the housing bill is a temporary, $7,500 first-time home buyer
tax credit for the purchase of any home. The tax credit can be used for a home
sale closing on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009. It is
expected to provide a significant financial incentive for home buyers http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/
2.
EcoPinion Survey, "Banking
the Green," Focuses on Role of Customer Incentives for Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy - EcoAlign, a strategic marketing agency
focused on energy and the environment, today released the results of the fourth
EcoPinion Survey on what type of incentives or promotions will motivate
customers to adopt clean and green offerings. Findings include:
1) Discounts are the most popular incentive
(85 percent), followed by two-for-one offerings (77 percent, extremely
likely/very likely) and coupons (75 percent).
2) The top two "most likely"
incentives to be used by consumers to save money on energy costs are discounts
(34 percent) and rebates (22 percent).
3) The "Energy Star" label is
extremely or very important to 68 percent of respondents.
4) When asked what they would do if they had
an extra $200, and could choose from a list of energy saving or renewable
offerings, 52 percent of respondents would put an extra $200 in the bank.
5) Consumers
are most interested in having their utility provide coupons to purchase energy
efficient light bulbs (74 percent).
6) Consumers were most interested in
receiving information from the utility web site (58 percent).
7) Consumers would like to receive a credit
on the utility bill (50 percent) followed by a check in the mail (34 percent).
8) Consumers would be much more satisfied
with their utility if more energy efficiency and/or pricing programs to save
energy and utility were offered. 90 percent of respondents overall would be
more satisfied than today.
A copy of the full EcoPinion report is
available at no charge by visiting EcoAlign's website at www.ecoalign.com
3.
Lighting Shipments Fall -
From NEMA: “On a year-over-year basis, the
incandescent (lamp shipment index) showed a decline of 17.5%, while CFL shipments
declined 18.7%”—as of the second quarter. CFL market share: 24.7%.
Incandescent shipments fell 5.5% vs. Q1 2008.
CFL shipments fell 1.0%. 08/21 TED
4. Economy
at a Glance by Craig DiLouie, Editor LightSearch - Posted August 25, 2008.
|
Data Series |
Back |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
|
|
4.8 |
5.1 |
5.0 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
|
|
|
-83 |
-88 |
-67 |
-47 |
-51 (P) |
-51 (P) |
|
|
|
17.81 |
17.87 |
17.89 |
17.95 |
18.00 (P) |
18.06 (P) |
|
|
|
0.0 |
0.3 |
0.2 |
0.6 |
1.1 |
0.8 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
0.9 |
0.3 (P) |
1.4 (P) |
1.8 (P) |
1. 2 (P) |
|
|
|
0.2 |
3.1 |
2.8 |
2.8 |
2.9 |
1.7 |
(P) Preliminary
(1) In percent,
seasonally adjusted.
(2) Number of jobs, in
thousands, seasonally adjusted
(3) For production and
nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls, seasonally adjusted
(4) All items, U.S. city
average, all urban consumers, 1982-84=100, 1-month percent change, seasonally
adjusted
(5) Finished goods,
1982=100, 1-month percent change, seasonally adjusted
(6) All imports, 1-month
percent change, not seasonally adjusted
5. 
LEDs
Help to Bring Color and Light to the Beijing Olympics - U.S. Olympian Michael Phelps displayed
amazing athleticism over the past week at the Water Cube, but outside the
building, U.S. technology is providing an amazing display of an entirely
different sort. Colored light-emitting diodes (LEDs) from Cree, Inc. allow the
building to change color, display words, and generate moving images to create a
unique architectural presence on the Olympic Green in Beijing. Nearly a half
million red, green, and blue LEDs allow the 3,000 "bubbles" on the
exterior of the building to display millions of different colors. Officially
known as the National Aquatic Center, the building displays a different
computer-controlled pattern each evening. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSR_8o6OotM
6. DOE Secretary Bodman Endorses NEMA Initiative to Make Buildings Energy
Efficient Through Lighting Renovation - Responding to Secretary Bodman's previous challenge to NEMA to commit
to a national building energy efficiency campaign, NEMA recently announced the
"enLIGHTen AMERICA" initiative, a campaign which will promote the
advantages of lighting system renovation. According to NEMA, building owners
and operators can realize a 50 percent return on investment, reduced operating
expenses, improved productivity, and increased asset value. To assist building
owners and operators in establishing a lighting renovation project, NEMA has
established a website with information and savings-calculation tools: www.nemasavesenergy.org A copy of the "enLIGHTen AMERICA"
brochure, Your Buildings Are Wasting Bushels of Money, and a copy of Secretary
Bodman's letter, are also available at the site.
7. Report Available on Best Practices for Metal
Halide Lighting Systems - A new report on metal halide lighting systems is available from the
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). Best Practices for Metal
Halide Lighting Systems, Plus Questions and Answers about Lamp Ruptures in
Metal Halide Lighting Systems provides educational information for the
selection, operation, and maintenance of metal halide lighting systems with
specific emphasis on those items pertinent to the risks associated with lamp
rupture. The implications of the 2005 NEC provisions on these risks are
addressed. http://www.nema.org/stds/LSD25.cfm
8. Green Bulb Subsidy May Switch Off - Consumers could be in for a shock when the Government eventually lifts
its subsidy on energy efficient light bulbs. The Electricity Commission is
subsidizing three brands of compact fluorescent lamps -- Energy Mad, Philips
and Osram -- to the tune of about $3 million this half-year with the aim of
selling two million by November. A commission spokesman said the flat
subsidization rate till June was about $1 per ordinary CFL bulb, but that had
now been broadened to include halogens and CFLs with various fittings. At
present the bulbs were about the same price as incandescent bulbs but once the
subsidies were lifted consumers would be paying more for CFLs. 09/10 Dominion Post
9. What is EDF's Climate Corps? -
MBA students from the country's top business schools spent the summer
working with companies to help them reduce their environmental footprint, save
energy and save money. The Environmental
Defense Fund’s (EDF) Corporate Partnerships team launched Climate Corps—a Peace
Corps-like program designed to help companies reduce their environmental
footprints and save energy. Here's how
it worked: EDF trained MBA students from the country's top business schools to
work in the office with leading companies and show them how to save money
through energy efficiency. http://edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=28123
10. 
Philips
Advance Style Guide - The new Philips Advance style guide is
designed to help Philips
Lighting Electronics employees, partners and agents maintain a
consistent brand image and use the proper corporate identity when making
presentations, sending correspondence or creating material. http://www.advancetransformer.com/styleguide/
11.
Platts.Com
Provides Status of Hurricanes Impact on Energy Online -http://www.platts.com/Oil/Resources/Methodology%20&%20Specifications/hurricane.pdf?S=n
12.
GE Energy Buys Kelman
of Ireland - The acquired company provides “advanced monitoring and
diagnostics technologies for transformers,” which reportedly will “enhance GE’s
smart grid product portfolio. 08/21 TED
13. HAIER to Buy GE Unit? - Had enough of China lately? Well, here’s more. An Aug. 5
item on the site of Home Channel News noted that The Haier Group, “one
of China’s largest appliance manufacturers,” has been reported (in Chinese and
Hong Kong newspapers) as mulling over the purchase of GE’s appliance division
(which may include GE Consumer & Industrial). Haier appliances can be
bought at Home Depot, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart. Zhang Tieyan, CEO of Haier Asia,
reportedly told the newspapers that his company “will make an assessment on the
possibility” of taking some piece off of GE’s hands. 08/21 TED
14.
Columbia
Lighting to Close - “Hubbell Inc....told
213 workers at the Spokane Valley company (Columbia Lighting) they will lose
their jobs by Dec. 31. All Spokane-area workers will receive severance packages
plus assistance in some cases to help find new jobs...most of the jobs will end
in September and October.” The newspaper noted that Columbia is one of
Spokane’s oldest companies, having been founded (as Doerr-Mitchell) in 1898.
Why close the company? Three reasons given: Hubbell leases the building in
which Columbia was housed, making operations more expensive; “most of Hubbell’s
lighting customers are on the East Coast;” and the Columbia facility “is older
than recent plants Hubbell has built or bought for the same purpose.” 08/21 TED
15.
Schneider Goes Solar - Schneider Electric has agreed to acquire Xantrex
Technology, said to be the largest supplier in North America of solar
inverters. According to the July 29 issue of Daily Deal, Schneider
agreed to pay a 58% premium (to the July 21 closing price) for shares of
Xantrex, which is based in British Columbia (and has shares traded on a
Canadian exchange). Total purchase price is roughly $488 million. The purchase,
according to Jean-Pascal Tricoire, CEO of Schneider, will give us a unique
opportunity to capture growth in the dynamic renewable energy market. 08/21 TED
16.
Lighting Science Group Acquires Assets of
Lamina Lighting - Lighting Science Group Corporation (LSG), a developer
and integrator of intelligent and energy-efficient LED lighting solutions, has
announced that, through one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, it has acquired
all of the assets of Lamina Lighting, Inc., a manufacturer of high-power LED
light engines and modules. “Today’s acquisition further strengthens our product
portfolio and gives us access to an integrated platform of products with an
established global supply chain,” said Govi Rao, chairman and chief executive
officer of Lighting Science Group. http://www.lsgc.com
17. NECA Convention and Trade Show -
The 2008 National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Convention and
Trade Show will take place October 4-7 in Chicago at the McCormick Place
Lakeside Center. Topics for sessions at this year's event include NFPA 70E
compliance, reducing project risk, and increasing profits with new technology. www.necaconvention.org/show/
18. Who’s Who in the Buildings Market 2008 - The
editors of Buildings (September 2008 issue) have handpicked 44
organizations and departments that are getting things done—slashing energy
costs, improving customer service, building with the end-user in mind,
investing heavily in employee training and development, etc.—in truly
remarkable ways. Here are the Top 10:
·
CB
Richard Ellis [Los Angeles, CA]
·
First
Industrial Realty Trust Inc. [Chicago, IL]
·
University
of California, San Diego [San Diego, CA]
·
Raytheon
[Tewksbury, MA]
·
City
of Chicago [Chicago, IL]
·
Cushman
& Wakefield [New York, NY]
·
Los
Angeles Community College District [Los Angeles, CA]
·
U.S.
Coast Guard [Washington, D.C.]
·
USAA Real Estate Co. [San Antonio, TX]
·
The
University of Iowa [Iowa City, IA]
http://www.buildings.com/articles/detail.aspx?contentID=6451
19. Survey to Assess Energy Savings in Commercial Real
Estate - The largest-ever survey to assess energy-savings measures used in
commercial real estate has been launched by Washington, D.C.-based BOMA Intl.,
Potomac, MD-based FMLink, the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building
Council, and the Reston, VA-based Association for Facilities Engineering
(AFE). The survey will close Sept. 22, and the estimated time needed to
complete the survey is 30 minutes. Respondents will be asked to address energy
savings practices and products within a single building. For participating,
respondents will receive complimentary issues of BOMA's checklist, "30
Ways to Save Energy," and USGBC's "Energy Performance for LEED for
New Construction Buildings" report. Take the survey by going to: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2cp8tkifkg32rm8/a01rhfkya562w/greeting
20. 
The DSIRE Web site is updated each week with the addition of new
programs and the verification of or changes to existing programs. On average,
about 60 programs each month are verified or updated through contact with
program administrators and other stakeholders throughout the U.S.A. in alpha
order by State:
http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentiveupdated.cfm?&CurrentPageID=3&EE=1&RE=1
21. Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs in the October 2008 Consumer’s
Report - Don't fall for the
common myths about these long-lasting, energy-saving lights. Swapping
regular bulbs for compact fluorescents can save you at least $30 per bulb over
a CFL’s life. The latest bulbs are better than earlier ones. Yet the myths burn
on. See the October issue of Consumer’s
Report: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/home-improvement/hardware-building-supplies/lightbulbs/cfls/overview/cfl-ov-.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=7&searchTerm=cfl
22. 
What's
the deal with compact fluorescents and mercury? - The first fact to know is
that mercury levels in a CFL are miniscule.
According to the National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association an old-style
fluorescent light tube, as typically used in an office or home setting, can
contain up to 10 times more mercury than a CFL. Not to mention the amount of
mercury sealed within the glass tubing of a CFL is on average 4 milligrams,
about enough to lightly coat the tip of a ballpoint pen. Much of the current
alarm centers around the fact that Congress has mandated a switch away from
incandescent light bulbs to CFLs, phasing out Thomas Edison’s famous version,
by 2014. For what you need to know about CFLs and mercury, check this web site:
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf
23. 802.11n
Transmits to the New Wireless Standard - http://ieee802.org/11/ The wireless trend continues to flourish, and another era of new
standards looms on the not-so-distant horizon. The most compelling and
progressive is the emerging standard for 802.11n. Many contractors have had
great success on the installation side of the current wireless standards.
802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g have all shown their worth in the real world,
which explains why many have high hopes for 802.11n. 08/’08 Electrical
Contractor
24. DALI XP Draft Standard Promises Major
Breakthrough for Digital Lighting - While
DALI has promised the advantage of multi-vendor interoperability and associated
benefits of competition among vendors, the protocol only covers the ballast and
not ballast control devices such as occupancy sensors, switches and
photosensors. To solve the problem, NEMA’s Joint Sections Committee on DALI
partnered with the California Energy Commission to author an expanded DALI
protocol to incorporate standard DALI control devices. The new draft standard,
called DALI XP, is expected to receive NEMA approval by the end of 2008. See Craig DiLouie’s report at: http://www.aboutlightingcontrols.org/education/papers/2008_dalixp.shtml
25. IKEA to Explore Selling Solar Panels - Swedish home decor giant IKEA has announced plans to
spend $77 million on research and development for retail solar panels, as well
as other energy-efficient items. In
addition to solar panels, the company plans to use the funds to research and
develop energy-efficient products such as energy meters and energy-efficient
lighting. The company currently sells a number of eco-friendly items, most
notably a CFL light bulb “bar” with a wide variety of energy-efficient lighting
options. IKEA plans to invest funds into green product companies that already
offer commercial prospects, according to CleanTech Group, a sustainable
business financing group that is working with IKEA on the research initiative.
In all, the program, dubbed IKEA GreenTech, will focus on five product areas in
all – solar panels, alternative light sources, product materials, energy
efficiency and water saving and purification. 8/15 HCN
26.
Dallas
Cowboys Highest Value in Sports - The
National Football League is the first professional sports league to have its
franchises average over $1 billion in value. The Giants and Jets franchises for
the first time are each valued at more than $1 billion, according to the annual
Forbes magazine National Football League team valuations announced today. With
a lucrative new Meadowlands football stadium under construction, the Giants
climbed from eighth place to fourth place at $1.18 billion. The Jets, at $1.17
billion, climbed from 10th place to fifth.
Top three are:
R
Dallas
Cowboys: $1.61 billion
R
Washington
Redskins: $1.54 billion
R
New
England Patriots: $1.32 billion
State Energy
Market News
1. Utilities
to Push Energy Efficiency - The state's
major utility providers have promised to increase their budgets for
energy-efficient programs by 34 percent. The additional cash will be used to
help make energy-efficient modifications more affordable to property owners as
they prepare for what is expected to be an expensive winter. Heating a home this winter could cost twice
what it did in the winter of 2006-2007. Armed with those alarming statistics, state leaders called on utilities
to expand their energy-efficiency programs, which help defray the costs of
window insulation, new appliances and lighting with rebates and low- or
no-interest loans. 08/20 Boston Herald
2.
N.J. Homeowners Brace for Higher Winter Heating Oil Bills - Even with the recent fall in crude oil prices, the federal government
projects homeowners will pay an average of $4.34 per gallon for heating oil
this winter, up more than $1 from what they paid a year ago. In the Northeast,
it will cost the typical family $2,725 to heat their home with heating oil this
year, a 37 percent jump from the prior year, according to the Energy
Information Administration. Meanwhile, natural gas customers will hardly fare
any better this winter, with the four New Jersey gas utilities seeking price
increases of 20 percent or more. 08/26 Star Ledger
3.
PECO Partners with
ENERGY STAR to Provide Customers with More Energy Saving Tools - PECO has formed
a partnership with ENERGY STAR to provide its customers with more money saving resources
through the company's website at www.peco.com/save A new web-based, interactive home is now
available to take visitors on a tour from attic to garage that is full of
energy saving tips and green information.
09/08 Business Wire
4. PECO Launches First Phase of Five Year Environmental Initiative
with Opening of First Green Building - PECO today unveiled the first phase of a five
year major environmental initiative aimed to make the company more
environmentally friendly through energy efficiency and other cutting edge
efforts. The comprehensive program - totaling more than $15.3 million of work -
includes the opening of PECO's first 'green building' in West Chester, the
installation of a green roof and a new Crown Lights system at the company's
Center City headquarters, work to secure Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) certification for many company work sites, and environmental and
energy efficiency community and customer support. 08/20 Business Wire
http://www.exeloncorp.com/ourcompanies/peco/pecores/environment_and_community/crown_lights.htm
5.
Electric Bills Going Up and
PECO Feels Your Pain - PECO Energy yesterday filed a comprehensive plan
with the state that could change the way the company buys power and that it
says will help consumers cope with higher electricity bills after the current
rate cap expires in December 2010. The company also called on the Legislature
to pass a comprehensive energy law this fall. The filing with the state Public
Utility Commission seeks to allow PECO to purchase its energy when
lower rates arise on the wholesale market. The utility, which does not produce
its own energy, currently is limited in how often it can buy its power. The plan also calls for a
multi-million-dollar consumer-education campaign through 2012 to raise
awareness of rate increases and tell customers how to conserve power. 09/11 Philadelphia Daily News
6.
Dominion Web Site Now
Features Energy-Savings Calculator - Dominion customers looking for
ways to increase energy efficiency in their homes and businesses have a handy new
tool at their disposal -- an energy calculator installed on the company's Web
site http://www.dom.com/ to help them find out how much
energy they are using and explore ways to save energy and money.
7.
Allegheny Power Proposes
Projects to Help Meet EmPOWER Maryland Targets - The electric
distribution business of Allegheny Energy, Inc. today announced the filing of
13 proposed energy-efficiency and conservation programs, and an Advanced
Utility Infrastructure (AUI) pilot project, with the Maryland Public Service
Commission (PSC). The programs and pilot are subject to Commission approval and
are Allegheny's response to the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act, which
targets a 15 percent reduction in energy consumption by 2015. Designed to
reach the full spectrum of Allegheny's customers, the energy-efficiency
programs target major energy-consuming systems such as heating, air
conditioning, major appliances, lighting, motors and production processes. www.alleghenyenergy.com
8.
Energy Efficiency Program
Linked to Property Tax - Annapolis officials want to offer tax-exempt, low
interest rate loans to property owners who install energy-reducing additions.
And the payments on those loans would be placed directly on property tax bills.
Property owners who want to finance energy improvements to their properties can
apply for a low-interest loan from the Chamber of Commerce Foundation through a
funding pool provided by CommerceFirst. The loan payments are added to the
property's tax bill, which the city collects. The Maryland Energy
Administration conducts the energy efficiency audits property owners need to
secure the loan and provides homeowners a list of certified contractors that
can install the energy-saving additions. 08/17 Capital
9.
Easley: N.C. Can Be More
Energy Efficient - Gov. Mike Easley asked the N.C. Building Code
Council today to help make North Carolina one of the most energy-efficient
states in the country by requiring better construction techniques. Easley sent
his top policy advisor to tell the council to design an energy code -- part of
the state's building code -- that would require buildings to be 30 percent more
energy efficient than those built to national standards. The Building Code
Council makes the rules that govern every aspect of a building's construction,
from the materials that can be used to whether sprinklers must be installed. By
the year 2030, Hirsch said, North Carolina's population is expected to grow by
40 percent, and about half the buildings where those people will live, work,
shop, eat and play don't exist yet. 09/09 The News & Observer
10. Tennessee
Valley Authority Boosts Conservation Budget Fourfold as Public Reels Before
Rate Hike - The Tennessee
Valley Authority and its distributors are planning to expand their conservation
programs this fall for consumers facing the biggest yearly jump in electricity
prices in TVA's 75-year history. TVA Vice President Joe Hoagland said the agency will boost its budget
for energy conservation and efficiency from $22 million this year to $99
million in fiscal 2009, which starts Oct. 1. The increase comes as TVA prepares
to boost its wholesale electricity rates by 20 percent in October, following
nearly 14 percent of combined rate and fuel-cost adjustment increases this
spring and summer. 08/22 Chattanooga Times
11. Ameren Illinois
Utilities ActOnEnergy™ Business Program Enjoying Immediate Success - Since the June 23rd introduction of the Ameren Illinois Utilities
ActOnEnergy(TM) electric business customer incentive program, the initiative
has demonstrated that Illinois businesses are eager to improve the energy
efficiency of their facilities and operations. As of Sept. 1, electric business
customers have applied for 76 percent of the $3 million in standard and custom
incentive funds that are available for the first year of the program. http://www.ameren.com/http://www.actonenergy.net/ 
12. TEP
Boosting Fluorescents with Discount - Tucson Electric Power
Co. www.tep.com has
launched a program to make CFLs available from local stores at discounts of up
to 50 percent off retail prices, as low as $1 per bulb. TEP customers are funding the program through
a monthly surcharge approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission. TEP in turn
has paid manufacturers to provide discounts that will be passed along through
local retailers, available at Costco and Home Depot stores in Tucson. More
retailers will begin offering the discounted bulbs in coming weeks. TEP estimates that if all 185,000 bulbs
available through the program this year are sold and installed, they will save
more than 9.5 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy over the course of a year.
No coupons are necessary, and customers can buy up to 10 discounted bulbs per
store visit. 08/23 The Arizona
Daily Star
13. The Planet Cuts Lighting, Costs at Data Centers - Hosting company The Planet expects to save $140,000 a year with its
company-wide "lights out" program aimed at reducing energy use. The
Planet estimates by conserving lighting and HVAC consumption at its Houston and
Dallas facilities, it can save 1.4 million kilowatt hours a year. Instead of
always leaving the lights on at its two Houston data centers and four Dallas
data centers, The Planet will keep lights on only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone
working after-hours will turn lights on only in the areas they are working, and
some sections will have a few overhead lamps operating to eliminate the need
for turning on all the lights in some rooms. http://www.energyvortex.com/pages/headlinedetails.cfm?id=3691
14. EPAct Tax Deduction for Energy Efficient
Construction Set to Expire the Energy Efficient -Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction, a federal incentive that
provides a deduction of $1.80 per square foot for the design and construction
of energy efficient commercial buildings, is set to expire at end of the year.
Extending tax incentives, which are part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(EPAct), for commercial construction will provide an immediate stimulus to the
design and construction industry, according to the American Institute of
Architects (AIA). http://www.facilitiesnet.com/news/article.asp?id=9719
15. Powering Down: Palo Alto Eyes Energy Efficiency Mandate - Palo Alto is considering becoming the 13th city to enact tighter
energy-efficiency standards than required by the state of California. Here are
the other 12, with the dates their local energy codes were approved: Palo
Alto Daily News