MILWAUKEE, Wis. - (october 19, 2009) - Energy Efficiency Forum co-sponsors United States Energy Association (USEA) and Johnson Controls, Inc. (NYSE: JCI) today hosted “Energy Efficiency: Policies, Priorities and Perspectives,” the first in a series of webcasts designed to promote a year-round dialogue about energy efficiency initiatives. 

Following opening remarks by USEA executive director Barry Worthington, Mark Ginsberg, member, board of directors, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE),U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), stressed the need to work together to make the world a better place. “This is a moment in history – energy efficiency and renewable energy have come into their own,” he said. “We have an opportunity to address economic problems and climate problems.”

Ginsberg discussed the international technology partnerships in which EERE is engaged, including partnerships for geothermal technology, energy development in island nations and the hydrogen economy. He also discussed the sister-city partnerships between the U.S. and China focused on energy and the environment, the Asia-Pacific Partnership (APP) on Clean Development & Climate, International Energy Agency (IEA) agreements on biomass, buildings, hydrogen, solar and wind energy, the International Partnership for Energy Efficient Cooperation (IPEEC) and the Asia Pacific Economic and Latin American Energy Cooperations.

Ginsberg stressed partnerships will be more important moving forward: “These challenges are too big to do alone. We need the geniuses from all around the world to come together to address the challenges of energy efficiency,” he said.

Ginsberg also noted that federal funding to address energy efficiency initiatives has increased dramatically, especially with $16.8 billion in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  Additionally, print and broadcast campaigns are being launched to promote energy efficiency as a national priority.

ACEEE reports states are leading energy efficiency
Following Ginsberg’s presentation, Steve Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) turned to developments in energy efficiency occurring at the state and national levels. Reporting on the recent ACEEE Energy Efficiency as a Resource Conference, Nadel said those states that are leaders in viewing energy efficiency as a resource are targeting 1.5-2.5 percent savings per year, supported by utility resource planning and programs and state policies. Vermont leads the way, having achieved energy savings of 2.5 percent in 2008, while a number of states are introducing energy efficiency resource standards.

Nadel stated financial incentives for utilities and decoupling are becoming more common and can be a key motivator for states to achieve energy savings. With increasing frequency, states are focusing on annual savings in excess of 1.5 percent require deep savings per participant. Meanwhile, compact fluorescent lamps, which Nadel calls the “bread and butter of efficiency,” continue to be a more common – and important – source of savings.

Nadel noted the impact of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) on estimated energy efficiency savings and the U.S. economy. According to Nadel, the ACES with enhanced efficiency will combine seed-funded provisions, standards, energy efficiency resource standards, utility programs and building codes to achieve estimated energy savings in 2030 of 16 quads.

Stating that “energy efficiency can be a real jobs generator,” Nadel discussed how ACES is also expected to create as many as 550,000 jobs by 2020 and more than 1 million by 2030 while producing savings approaching around $200 per household in 2020 and approximately $800 per household in 2030.

An overview of the EPA and DOE partnership
In her presentation, Maria Vargas, director, strategic partnerships, Climate Protection Division, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), examined climate change and the role of energy efficiency, and provided updates on ENERGY STAR^® and the new EPA/DOE partnership on energy efficiency in buildings and products.

According to Vargas, a suite of energy efficiency programs and policies are essential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and 73 percent below 2005 levels by 2050, goals established by the proposed Waxman-Markey energy and climate bill. Vargas contends ENERGY STAR can support these programs and policies with more than 60 categories of cost-effective proven products, assessment tools and outreach campaigns that engage customers, organizations and communities in the residential, commercial and industrial markets. In fact, according to Vargas, last year ENERGY STAR helped Americans prevent 40 million metric tons of GHG emissions – equivalent to eliminating the emissions of 29 million vehicles – and save $19 billion on energy bills.

While Americans have come a long way, Vargas said, there are still inroads to make in changing consumer behavior and enhancing ENERGY STAR as a “trustmark for consumers.” Citing the use of a programmable thermostat as an example, she said:  “It’s not just buying the technology that’s important, but how they use it that drives efficiency.”

Vargas also provided background on the recently announced EPA/DOE agreement. It is designed to enhance the National Building Rating Program for providing building retrofit advice, as well as provide an ongoing framework for partnership, coordination and collaboration between agencies and stakeholders. The agreement also defines clear lines of responsibility between the two agencies that build on their respective areas of expertise.

Energy Efficiency In Action – Lessons Learned
Clay Nesler, vice president, global energy and sustainability, Johnson Controls, Building Efficiency business, cited lessons his company learned during the renovation of the Empire State Building (www.esbsustainability.com), which will realize an annual 38 percent reduction in energy use upon completion. Nesler emphasized the importance of linking retrofits to a major building renovation cycle and including tenant spaces in improvement planning. A whole-building analysis is also important along with a detailed measurement and verification plan that includes energy performance guarantees.

Energy performance contracting was suggested as a good model to finance energy efficiency retrofits for the public sector. Nesler also called for new models for the private and commercial real estate sectors, including on-bill and tax-lien financing plans.

Nesler also discussed the value of energy and emissions management tools. These enterprise-level tools for tracking, reporting and managing energy and carbon footprints can support regulatory and voluntary programs and help predict future emissions based on energy projects and procurement policy.

Click here to view the archived webcast

For More Information
Future Energy Efficiency Forum webcasts will provide up-to-the-minute information about energy efficiency initiatives, technologies and best practices. The next webcast, slated for December during the United Nations meetings in Copenhagen, will focus on energy efficiency and climate change issues. Save the date for the 2010 Energy Efficiency Forum – June 16 in Washington, D.C.

About the Energy Efficiency Forum
The Energy Efficiency Forum, co-sponsored by Johnson Controls and the U.S. Energy Association, is the premier event that promotes an energy efficiency ethic through the presentation of national
and worldwide views on energy efficiency and the resulting impact on the environment, national security and economic growth.  The 21^st annual Energy Efficiency Forum will be held June 16, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

About United States Energy Association
The United States Energy Association is the U.S. Member Committee of the World Energy Council. USEA is an association of public and private energy-related organizations, corporation, and government agencies. It represents the broad interests of the U.S. energy sector by increasing the understanding of energy issues, both domestically and internationally. In conjunction with the U.S. Agency for Interntional Development and the U.S. Department of Energy, USEA sponsors out nation's Energy Partnership Program. Membership in USEA is open to all organizations having an interest in the energy sector of the United States. For more information, please visit http://.www.usea.org.

About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart enfironments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable workd through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

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