Johnson Controls releases efficiency report

On May 17, Johnson Controls released its Energy Efficiency Indicator. The report, which consists of surveys distributed to 1,250 business leaders, indicates that businesses foresee energy prices to continue to rise, and plan to invest in energy efficiency measures in response. Additionally, the report concludes that the tendency to implement energy efficiency measures is based on the desire to reduce costs rather than due to a sense of environmental responsibility. The entire report can be read on the Johnson Controls Web site.

Supreme Court delivers ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA

On April 2, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a ruling in the case of Massachusetts v. the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In a 5-4 decision, the justices verified that greenhouse gases are pollutants and ordered federal environmental officials to reconsider their refusal to limit emissions from new cars and trucks. The decision does not require the EPA to regulate the emission of greenhouse gases from motor vehicles, only that they reassess the effects of emissions. If EPA officials determine the gases contribute to global warming, and  therefore harm human health, the agency will need to regulate them under the federal Clean Air Act, or else provide a reasonable explanation for why it will not regulate the emissions. The full decision is available at the Supreme Court Web site.

New efficiency bill pushes green capital

On May 21, Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor introduced the Federal Building Renewal and Energy Savings Act. The bill would require regularly updated, comprehensive evaluations of energy and water savings for all large federal facilities. The bill would also require agencies to implement all energy and water-saving measures and create a Web-based process for each agency and facility to self-certify its compliance with the energy and water-efficiency goals. More information is available here.

Clinton unveils green makeover for cities

On May 16, Former President Bill Clinton announced the creation of a $5 billion energy efficiency building retrofit program. The program aims to fight global warming by retrofitting existing buildings with energy efficiency measures. This is the first large scale, global program to address the issue of energy use in existing buildings. An initial group of 15 cities have agreed to participate in the retrofit program, including: Bangkok, Berlin, Chicago, Houston, Johannesburg, Karachi, London, Melbourne, Mexico City, New York, Rome, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo, and Toronto. More information is available on the Clinton Foundation Web site.

ACEEE releases energy efficiency scorecard for states

On June 5, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released its State Energy Efficiency Scorecard for 2006, which provides a comprehensive ranking of states according to their level of implementation of energy efficiency policies, programs, and technologies. This year’s scorecard is different than past versions in that it ranks states on a broad array of policy initiatives, rather than simply by utility energy efficiency spending. According to the report, Vermont, Connecticut, and California lead the nation in energy efficiency policy. Also in the top 10 are Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Minnesota. The report is available for download at the ACEEE Web site.

ACORE and ACEEE release report on energy Efficiency and renewable energy

In a new report co-written by the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) and the American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy (ACEEE), research demonstrates that in order for the United States to dramatically reduce global warming and improve energy security, it will be necessary to combine aggressive implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Through seven case studies, The Twin Pillars of Sustainable Energy: Synergies Between Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technology and Policy, documents ways in which integrating energy efficiency and renewable energy policies could result in an energy demand reduction of 44 percent. For more information, view the full report here.

Climate registry tracks greenhouse gas emissions

More than thirty states have become charter members of the Climate Registry, marking the largest national effort to track greenhouse gas emissions. The registry is a tool to measure, track, verify, and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions in a concise and transparent way. Members include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, as well as the Campo Kumeyaay Nation and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba. You can read more about the Climate Registry on their Web site.   

Legislators push bills to prohibit sale of incandescent light bulbs

Six states - South Carolina, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Rhode Island - have introduced legislation that, if enacted would prohibit the sale of incandescent light bulbs. 

Connecticut: On March 14, as part of a bill intended to encourage energy efficiency and curtail greenhouse gas emissions, the General Assembly's environment committee proposed a ban on the sale of incandescent light bulbs. Senate Bill 1432 would require the phasing out of incandescents to begin April 1, 2008. For more information, read the full bill.

New Jersey: On February 22, New Jersey Assemblyman Larry Chatzidakis introduced a bill that calls for the state to switch to fluorescent lighting in government buildings over the next three years. Learn more about the bill here.

Rhode Island: On March 1, Sen. Blais proposed an amendment to Rhode Island’s Energy and Consumer Savings Act of 2005 which would prohibit the sale of incandescent bulbs in the state by 2012. The amendment is available here.  

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

Connecticut releases draft regulations

On April 25, Connecticut released its draft state RGGI regulations, which include an auction for 100 percent of carbon allowances to generators for the consumer benefit.  More information is available on the Connecticut RGGI Working group Web site.

Rhode Island recommends bills be held for further study

On June 23, the House Bill 5577, “Implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Act,” was passed by the Senate. The bill, which as also been passed by the House, will give legislative approval for the state to enter into and comply with the regional greenhouse gas initiative (RGGI). The bill additionally states that 100 percent of the carbon allowances will be auctioned off to generators. For more information, read the Senate bill.  

Governor signs efficiency legislation

On June 4, Gov. Rell signed House Bill 7432, “An Act Concerning Electricity and Energy Efficiency.” The signing included the veto of two line items. The bill is a composite of a variety of energy bills that has been adjusted and revised over the past two years. The comprehensive bill includes energy efficiency standards for residential heaters and boilers, the development of a comprehensive residential conservation program, and the development of a comprehensive plan for energy procurement, among many other provisions. For more information, read the entire bill.

Bill moved to end of calendar

On May 2, Senate Bill 1377 was moved to the foot of the Senate Calendar. If enacted the bill would require the Department of Public Utility Control to initiate a docket to determine how the state can improve on energy efficiency in low-income housing. With the adjournment of the legislature on June 6, the bill will either have to be resurrected in a special session or re-introduced in February in order to be passed. The bill can be read and tracked here.

ENERGY STAR bill referred to committee

On May 15, Assembly Bill 354 (identical to Senate Bill 341), “Requires State to Purchase Energy Star Products in Public Contracts,” was referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. If enacted, the bill would require the state to purchase only products bearing the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Label. ENERGY STAR products would not need to be purchased if the product proved inconsistent with the public interest or if the cost was unreasonable. For more information, the bill can be tracked here.

Energy efficiency loan bill referred to committee

On May 14, Assembly Bill 4067 (identical to Senate Bill 2147), “Expands Demand Side Management Programs in BPU to Include Low-Interest Loans and Grants to Municipalities for Energy Efficient Programs and Innovative Energy Technologies,” was referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The proposed bill expands the Board of Public Utilities’ programs to include low-interest loans and grants to municipalities for energy efficient programs and innovative energy technologies.  Track the bill at the New Jersey legislature’s Web site.

High performance green building bill passes Senate

On June 21, Senate Bill 843 (identical to Assembly Bill 2039), “Requires Certain State Buildings to be Designed and Managed to Meet High Performance Green Buildings Standards,” was passed by the Senate. If enacted, the bill would require state buildings of at least 15,000 square feet in total floor area to be designed and managed to meet standards for a high performance green building. For more information, read the bill.

Broadwater announces energy efficiency program

On May 31, the Long Island Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), the Community Environmental Center (CEC), and representatives from Broadwater Energy announced the development of an energy efficiency program targeting low and moderate-income homes. The $10 million program will supplement existing publicly funded programs to retrofit more than 2,000 homes throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. Read more about the plan in the Long Island Press.

New York seeks aggressive reduction in energy usage through efficiency

On May 16, the New York State Public Service Commission initiated a proceeding, through Docket 07-M-0548, to design an electric and natural gas energy efficiency portfolio standard (EEPS), docket. The EEPS will establish targets for energy efficiency, similar to the existing renewable portfolio standard. The Commission has determined that New York possesses sufficient potential energy efficiency resources to reduce electric usage by 15 percent of projected levels by 2015, however these targets cannot be met by Commission action alone, or solely by ratepayer funding. For more information, follow the EEPS docket developments here.

Commission ensures gas efficiency program for Con Edison

On May 16, the New York State Public Service Commission required by order an expanded natural gas efficiency program to be implemented in Consolidated Edison service territory in preparation for the 2007-08 winter heating season. The Commission's order authorizes a $14 million program to begin immediately, so that measures can be in place and take effect before the cold weather months. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will work with Con Edison to help ensure maximum effectiveness in getting the program ready for the winter heating season. Read the order for more information.

Governor unveils energy efficiency initiatives

On April 19, Gov. Eliot Spitzer proposed an ambitious energy conservation plan, pledging a package of legislative and regulatory measures that he said would allow New York to consume less energy in 2015 than it does today. The still-to-be-unveiled legislation would impose stringent efficiency standards on some appliances, like walk-in refrigerators and residential boilers, and would also explore adopting international building standards for energy conservation. For more information, read the New York Times article.  

Green building construction act amended

On June 19, Assembly Bill 2005, “Enacts the State Green Building Construction Act,” was amended on a third reading. The bill had originally been passed by the House and sent to the Senate on April 23, however it was recalled back to the Assembly on June 18. If passed, the bill would require new or substantially reconstructed agency buildings to comply with the LEED Silver (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) ratings and guidelines. The bill can be tracked at the New York Legislature’s Web site.

Climate change solutions act passed

On April 23, Assembly Bill 7365 (identical bill to Senate Bill 5347) received a favorable vote from the Assembly and was referred to the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee. The proposed bill would approve state funding for municipal and non-profit projects that reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. It also establishes powers and duties for the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation with respect to the climate change solutions program. For more information read the bill.

Order requiring proposals for revenue decoupling released

Issued April 20, the Department of Public Service (DPS) released an Order Requiring Proposals for Revenue Decoupling Mechanisms for cases 03-E-0640 and 06-G-0746.  In the order, the DPS states that they are requiring the utilities to develop and implement mechanisms that true-up forecast and actual delivery service revenues and, as a result, significantly reduce or eliminate any disincentives caused by the recovery of utility fixed delivery costs via volumetric rates or marginal consumption blocks. Please read the order for more information.