WELCOME TO e-FFICIENCY NEWS

The bimonthly newsletter from the
Alliance to Save Energy

October 2000 Vol. 2  No. 5


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CONTENTS

EFFICIENCY NEWS
- New Proposed Air Conditioner, Heat Pump Standards Fall Short
- Winter Fuel Outlook Bleak, EIA Reveals in New Report
- Gains Expected in Federal Budget for Energy Efficiency Programs
- Avoid Home Energy $ticker $hock
- Energy Heats Up Election
- California, New York Make Dramatic Boosts for Energy-Efficiency
Funding
- EPA, DOE Release Fuel Economy Guide for Energy Awareness Month
- Light Up Your Life with ENERGY STAR
- Living Efficiently and Affordably
- ACEEE Publishes Two New Reports
- Chandler Urges Energy Efficiency in Former Communist Countries

ALLIANCE NEWS
- 'Wha-a-a-s-s-s Up' With Energy Efficiency on TV?
- Nemtzow Named Environmental Professional of the Year
- 'BestPractices' Steams Ahead

HOT LINKS
- Department of Energy Launches Internet Gateway
- Other Web Sites Worth Visiting

EYE OPENERS
- Hypercars - a New Design for the New Century

EFFICIENCY EVENTS
- E-Vision 2000
- Earth Technologies Forum
- International Union of Electricity Applications 2000 International
Conference
- Canada's Energy Efficiency Conference

EFFICIENCY PEOPLE
- Two Major Energy Players Move Onward
- Energy Job Openings
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EFFICIENCY NEWS

New Proposed Air Conditioner, Heat Pump Standards Fall Short

The new air conditioner energy efficiency standards proposed by the U.S.
Department of Energy fall short of what's justified and what's needed to
lighten the load on electricity demand, says the Alliance to Save Energy. In
a humorous ad campaign developed by the Appliance Standards Awareness
project and featuring Energy Secretary Bill Richardson in digitally-inserted
sunglasses, energy efficiency advocates, urge strong air conditioner
standards. Air conditioners are the largest single contributors to peak
electricity demand - an issue the past two summers as peak demands created
and threatened blackouts and brownouts in various locations. This proposed
legislation is currently in a 60-day public comment period, allowing for
input from interested parties, after which the DOE will issue the final
rule.

http://www.ase.org/media/newsrel/press.htm

To see four flaws in the DOE analysis:
http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/doeflaws.htm

To send an email to Secretary of Energy Richardson urging strong air
conditioner standards:
http://www.standardsasap.org/accac.htm

To view the ad, visit the Appliance Standard Awareness Project at:
http://www.standardsasap.org/wpad.pdf

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Winter Fuel Outlook Bleak, EIA Reveals in New Report

The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts that natural gas prices
will increase by as much as 40 to 50 percent for consumers this winter over
last winter, or an average of $240 per consumer home, in its Winter Fuels
Outlook, released on October 6. Home heating oil prices are expected to rise
by $190 per home from last year's already high prices in the Northeast,
while electricity prices could increase by as much as 12 percent.
Predictions are based on normal winter weather, and prices could escalate
even further should the weather prove to be colder than normal.

Get the complete EIA report at:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/contents.html

Check out the Alliance to Save Energy's new white paper web section on
energy prices:
http://www.ase.org/energyprices

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Gains Expected in Federal Budget for Energy Efficiency Programs

Holding a strong hand due to concerns over sharply rising energy prices and
low winter natural gas and heating oil inventories, and backed by a strong
lobbying effort from the Alliance to Save Energy  and others, the Clinton
administration is expected to win substantial gains for energy efficiency
programs in recently concluded negotiations with Congressional appropriators
over the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection
Agency budget. A total of $814 million is being appropriated for energy
efficiency research, development and deployment programs, run by the DOE's
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, in increase of $94
million, or 13 percent over the previous budget.

For more information:
http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/fedbudget.htm

Check this link regularly over the next few weeks as we update this
information based on Congressional and Presidential action.

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Avoid Home Energy $ticker $hock

If you thought it was expensive to pay up to $2 a gallon for gas this
summer, you'll have continued "$ticker $hock" when your home energy bills
arrive this winter with predicted increases. How to avoid it -- check out
the Alliance to Save Energy tips to cut home heating oil and natural gas
bills.

http://www.ase.org/media/newsrel/stickershock.htm

Or, check out the Alliance's popular consumer booklet, Power$mart, Easy Tips
to Save Money and the Planet. View an animated version online or order your
own hard copy. Organizations and companies may also order in bulk,
customized for distribution to their members or to the public.

To view online: http://www.ase.org/powersmart
To order bulk copies: http://www.ase.org/powersmart/order.html
To order single, free copies, call the Consumer Information Center toll-free
at 1-888-878-3256.

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Energy Heats Up Election

Each presidential candidate stated his energy policy in the first
presidential debate in Boston, MA, on October 3. Vice President Al Gore's
plan focuses on increasing supply and decreasing demand, while Texas
Governor George W. Bush's plan emphasizes developing domestic energy
supplies. The vice presidential candidates faced off in Danville, KY on
October 5, both echoing the positions of their presidential running mates.

Source: Washington Post

For a comparison of the Presidential candidates on energy issues:
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/elections/comparison_energy.htm

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California, New York Make Dramatic Boosts for Energy-Efficiency Funding

In California, bills signed by Governor Gray Davis last week re-assert
California's leadership status on support for energy efficiency and other
clean energy sources. Two bills extend California's system benefits charge
through 2012, while adding an inflation adjustment, creating more than $5
billion of investment in clean energy from 2002-2012. This may be the
largest clean energy fund ever created. A third major bill will speed the
adoption of cost-effective buildings and appliance standards. These measures
are expected to maximize peak energy savings for the summer of 2001, and to
lessen future energy reliability problems.

To see complete bill texts:
http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_1151-1200/sb_1194_bill_20000831_enrol
led.html


http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0951-1000/ab_970_bill_20000831_enroll
ed.html

And in Los Angeles, the City Council approved a 10-year power plan that will
meet roughly half of the 1000 megawatts of new power capacity with renewable
energy sources, distributed generation, and demand side management.

http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/losangeles.htm

The New York State Public Service Commission has proposed increasing the
state's System Benefits Charge from its current $78 million to $139 million
per year, and extending it for five years. About 70 percent of the current
$78 million is used for energy efficiency programs. If this formula holds,
efficiency funding would increase to about $97 million - an 80 percent
increase from current levels. Energy advocates are seeking SBC funding
closer to the $200 million level.

For more information:
http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/nycalif.htm

For the full report:
http://www.dps.state.ny.us/SBC_Proposal.PDF

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EPA, DOE Release Fuel Economy Guide for Energy Awareness Month

Kicking off Energy Awareness Month in October, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy issued the latest
version of the Fuel Economy Guide. Including the 2001 model year, this guide
ranks the fuel efficiency of vehicles in various class sizes. The Toyota
Prius and Honda Insight currently top the list for fuel efficiency.

http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases00/octpr/pr00247.htm

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Light Up Your Life with ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR's Lighting Change Out program takes place this week. A
first-time event involving utilities and retailers across the U.S., the
program encourages consumers to trade in halogen lamps for cooler, ENERGY
STAR labeled, efficient models. Each halogen torchiere that is replaced by
an ENERGY STAR torchiere can save $25-$50 per year in energy costs.

For more information:
http://www.epa.gov/energystar/changeout/

For event sites:
http://www.epa.gov/appdstar/estar/changeout/events.html

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Living Efficiently and Affordably

The U.S. Department of Energy has partnered with the housing industry
through the Building American Program to build affordable, highly
energy-efficient homes throughout the U.S. The Fairburn Commons complex in
an Atlanta suburb opened with 33 units, each of which will cost less than
$1/day to heat and cool.

http://www.doe.gov/news/releases00/seppr/pr00240.htm


Meanwhile, the National Affordable Housing Network released a report on new
energy-efficient, affordable homes built in Texas. Built in partnership with
Habitat for Humanity International, these 40 homes use up to 42 percent less
energy than an average new home. Reduced monthly energy bills are
particularly critical for low-income residents.

http://www.nahn.com/txrep.htm

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ACEEE Publishes Two New Reports

Check out the latest report and study by the American Council for an Energy
Efficient Economy (ACEEE). National and State Energy Use and Carbon
Emissions Trends and ACEEE 2000 Summer Study highlights.

http://www.aceee.org/new/index.htm

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Chandler Urges Energy Efficiency in Former Communist Countries

William Chandler, senior staff scientist and director, Advanced
International Studies at Alliance Associate Pacific Northwest Laboratories,
urges governments to do more to promote energy efficiency in the formerly
communist countries in his new book, Energy and Environment in the
Transition Economies.

http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/chandler.htm

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ALLIANCE NEWS

'Wha-a-a-s-s-s Up' With Energy Efficiency on TV?

The advertising agency that produced the Budweiser frogs and hot and
much-quoted "Wha-a-a-s-s-s Up" (What's Up) TV commercials is in the process
of producing new TV and radio public service ads (PSAs) for the Alliance to
Save Energy which will be completed and distributed to stations in late
November. The new ad begins filming next week.

http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/newpsa.htm

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Nemtzow Named Environmental Professional of the Year

David M. Nemtzow, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, was named
Environmental Professional of the Year by the Association of Energy
Engineers, National Capital Chapter, for his work with the Alliance and his
contributions to the local energy industry throughout the past year.

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'BestPractices' Steams Ahead

Steam system managers: Are you concerned about the anticipated increases in
fuel oil and natural gas bills this winter? Find out about the BestPractices
Steam workshops, produced by the Alliance to Save Energy and hosted by
utility companies at various locations.

http://www.oit.doe.gov/bestpractices/steam/steam.shtml

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HOT LINKS

Department of Energy Launches Internet Gateway

The U.S. Department of Energy recently launched its Energy Information
Portal designed to expand citizen access to the department's online
information and services. This new, easy-to-use consumer-friendly site
provides hundreds of links energy content on health, the home,
transportation, schools, businesses, the community, world and future.

http://www.energy.gov

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Other Web Sites Worth Visiting

Energy Central
www.energycentral.com

Federal Consumer Information Center
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/

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EYE OPENERS

Hypercars - a New Design for the New Century

Ever heard of a Hypercar? Energy efficiency expert Amory Lovins,  and his
Rocky Mountain Institute, have developed a design for an ultra-light hybrid
car that, according to Lovins, could get as high as from 90 to 200 miles per
gallon.

http://hypercarcenter.org

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EFFICIENCY EVENTS

E-Vision 2000

The Department of Energy will host a conference on
October 11-13, 2000, entitled E-Vision 2000:  Key Issues That Will Shape Our
Energy Future.

http://www.rand.org/centers/stpi/events/index.html

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Earth Technologies Forum

Conference on Climate Change and Ozone Protection, October 30-November 1,
2000, Washington, D.C.

http://www.earthforum.com

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International Union of Electricity Applications 2000 International
Conference

Electricity for Sustainable Urban Development, Lisbon, Portugal November
1-4, 2000

http://www.edp.pt/uie/index.html

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Canada's Energy Efficiency Conference

Canada's Energy Efficiency Conference, Awards and Trade Show 2000, Ottawa,
Canada, October 10-12, 2000

http://wwwoee.nrca.gc.ca/conference

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EFFICIENCY PEOPLE

Two Major Energy Players Move Onward

Two key players in the energy efficiency world will be leaving their current
positions at two of the top energy organizations. Scott Sklar of the Solar
Energy Industries Association and Roby Roberts of Renewable Energy Policy
Project and the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology move
on to new ventures. Geller will head ACEEE through next spring.

http://www.ase.org/e-FFICIENCY/movingon.htm

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Energy Job Openings

Looking for a position in the energy non-profit field? There are several
positions available, including:

Alliance to Save Energy
Director of Development
Transition Country Program Manager
Media Relations/Publicist

http://www.ase.org/about/humanr.htm

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Transportation Director

http://www.aceee.org/job/trnsdir.htm

Sustainable Energy Coalition
Coordinator

http://www.americangreen.org/index.html

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CONTACT US

Need to reach someone at the Alliance to Save Energy? Check out our staff
listings by name and by area of expertise.

http://www.ase.org/about/staff.htm

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This e-mail newsletter is sent bimonthly to anyone interested in
energy-efficiency issues.

Maria Y. Lima, Editor, mailto:mlima@ase.org
David Nemtzow, Publisher, nemtzow@ase.org

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Alliance to Save Energy
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