March Newsletter
As ACEEE celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, I am excited to share our new Call to Action. We’re asking everyone to join us as we accelerate our energy-savings efforts to combat climate change. We need to act quickly. To deliver massive energy savings by 2030, we’ve identified six critical pathways.
I also want to highlight our new 2020 Utility Scorecard, revamped website, and recent Rural Energy Conference. We look ahead this month to potential energy legislation in the U.S. Senate and to our Hot Water Forum.
Please keep us posted on your own endeavors.
Best,
Steven Nadel
Executive Director
We must aggressively scale up energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. We need to put efficiency at the forefront of our efforts to build a vibrant and equitable economy that reduces energy waste, saves money, creates jobs, and helps those struggling most to pay their bills. And we need to do so quickly.
View our 40th anniversary handout
ACEEE at 40: Looking Back, Thinking Ahead
Penni McLean-Conner – ACEEE 40th Anniversary Presentation |
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Utility Scorecard
The 52 largest U.S. electric utilities have dramatically increased their overall energy savings as they adopt innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to the 2020 Utility Energy Efficiency Scorecard. Eversource MA and National Grid MA tie for first place. Read: E&E News, Utility Dive, Politico, Birmingham News, Orlando Sentinel, and Bergen Record. |
| Rural Energy Conference
Thanks to all who joined us in Chicago to explore how clean energy is increasing energy affordability and quality of life for rural residents. “Awesome conference,” said Lisa Thomas of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Elizabeth Palchak of VEIC added: “This is an important underserved market. The day offered program models, important insights and opportunities to connect with professionals in this area. High Impact!” |
| Energy Legislation
ACEEE senior policy advisor Lowell Ungar testified before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee about pending bipartisan legislation to promote energy efficiency. Sens. Rob Portman, R-OH, and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., touted Ungar’s analysis, which shows the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act could save consumers $51 billion in lower utility bills through 2050, mostly by making homes and buildings more energy efficient. A sweeping bill is pending in the Senate that may or may not include the provision — stronger building codes —that delivers most of these savings. Read more: Smart Cities Dive, Utility Dive, Energy Mix, and the Washington Post. |
Better together: Energy efficiency, solar, and battery storage
Programs that integrate energy efficiency with solar and battery storage (solar+) are rare but hold enormous potential to save energy, reduce carbon emissions, and boost grid reliability. Our report finds 17 integrated programs and offers recommendations.