The following summaries of current news items were compiled from various news sources by the Association of Energy Service Professionals.

State and Local Governments Innovate to Cut Energy Waste
Liberal, environmentally friendly towns such as Berkeley, Calif., Cambridge, Mass., and Boulder, Colo., have been at the forefront of providing their residents and utilities with financing in order to encourage the consumption of less energy. These state and local governments are using policies such as renewable energy standards and electricity price reform to create the biggest impact on climate change. All of this occurs as the federal government's moves to promote clean energy have been suspended. Delaware plans to start a $35 million fund called a sustainable energy utility (SEU), which is essentially a nonprofit that will assist anyone who wants to save energy. John Byrne, co-chairman of the SEU, provided an example of what the organization will do. Budget cuts have left the state's public schools with drafty buildings. "The school districts have to pay this high energy bill, [but they] don't have capital to go and fix the problem," says Byrne. "All they can do is keep paying the bill." The SEU would pay for an energy audit of the school district's buildings in order to determine what upgrades are cost-effective. It would then hire retrofitting companies and sign a contract. The SEU would pay for the work up front, but each month as the school district saved money on their electric bills, some of the savings would go to the SEU to pay them back. The process also could work for renewable energy, such as installing solar panels. The SEU is receiving its first $35 million from a Delaware state bond, and the organization is currently applying for additional stimulus funds. Delaware's plans are an example of how states and non-profits are taking charge of energy efficiency instead of utilities. Other states are looking into allowing utilities to profit from being efficient, not just from selling power. However, power companies still look at their business as selling more power and making more money. Two other programs, PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) and the Local Energy Alliance Program, are also helping individuals to connect with auditors and contractors as well as funding for the efficiency investments.
From "State and Local Governments Innovate to Cut Energy Waste"
New York Times (02/11/10) Rahim, Saqib

Utility Energy-Savings Plans Get OK From State Regulators
Massachusetts regulators have approved three-year plans for the state's electric and gas utilities to make the state more energy efficient, lower customer bills, and add "green" jobs. The plans were developed as a requirement under the 2008 Green Communities Act, and they are a result of meetings between government officials, environmentalists, and industry officials. The plans are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions across the state by 9,759,000 tons and create 3,100 local jobs during the plans' three-year period, 2010 to 2012. In the order - which approved the plans for Bay State Gas Co., National Grid, Western Massachusetts Electric Co., and other major utilities - The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities said, "While energy efficiency programs will typically increase rates, average bills should be lower than they would otherwise be without energy efficiency programs." Bay State Gas plans to increase its budget for energy efficiency programs to $22 million in 2012, up from $7.9 million for 2009. Bay State Gas officials estimate the program will add about $2 to the average gas customer's monthly bill, with the savings expected to offset this cost. Sandra Ahearn, a spokeswoman for the Western Massachusetts Electric Co. said, "We believe residential customers who do not participate will see a monthly increase to their bills of about $1, but those who participate will see a savings of about $1.65."
From "Utility Energy-Savings Plans Get OK From State Regulators"
MassLive.com (02/08/10) Freeman, Stan

10 Great Green Home Improvements for 2010
Energy efficient features have become a key attraction for today's home buyers, so "U.S. News & World Report" spoke with a number of experts to compile a list of 10 Great Green Home Improvements for 2010. Meg Matt, the president and CEO of the Association of Energy Services Professionals, notes that consumers "can talk about the future of the smart home and all of that, but it really does come back to the basics of sealing what I call 'the leaky house.' " A key first step is to plug the leaks that allow cold air to penetrate a house and drive up heating bills. Such leaks are often found near doors and windows, but they can also appear in the basement or attic. Some materials used to seal these leaks, including caulk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, can qualify for federal tax credits. The article also recommends homeowners conduct an energy audit, in which an energy professional inspects the home to determine where efficiencies can be created. Homeowners should also consider installing higher efficiency windows and doors, as well as replacing an outdated heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system with more energy efficient models.
From "10 Great 'Green' Home Improvements for 2010"
U.S. News & World Report (02/11/10) Mullins, Luke

Solar Districts May Become Switch to Turn on More Energy Upgrades
Ohio state Sen. Jimmy Stewart hopes to expand a law that lets municipalities create special improvement districts (SIDs). The state law currently allows businesses and homeowners in these districts to finance solar energy projects via assessments on their property tax bills. Senate Bill 223 would enable communities to also use SIDs to fund weatherization projects and wind, geothermal, and other alternative energy efforts. Communities would also form revolving loan funds where some of the loan repayments by property owners would finance the next set of alternative energy projects. SID financing can help ease funding deficits that present a hurdle to solar, wind, and other green energy projects, says Geoff Greenfield, co-owner of Third Sun Solar & Wind Power Ltd., a renewable energy contractor and developer. A solar energy system capable of powering a home or small business can cost about $42,000; a 30 percent federal tax credit and a state energy grant would reduce that amount to about $11,000, which is still a large out-of-pocket sum. A SID "addresses the financial cost hurdle by allowing them to pay it back as part of their (tax bill)," says Greenfield. Jerry Tinianow, director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission's Center for Energy & Environment, notes that the original law "jumped over the energy efficiency part and went directly to the installation of solar." He believes that the dollars are better spent when energy efficiency is taken into account.
From "Solar Districts May Become Switch to Turn on More Energy Upgrades"
Business First of Columbus (02/05/10) Bell, Jeff

Payments To Those Who Curb Energy Use Helps Utility Cut Peak Demand
Since 2004, Idaho Power has been paying farmers to cut power use at crucial times, resulting in drop-offs of as much as 5.6 percent of its maximum power needs. To pay for this and other energy-saving measures, Idaho customers have a 4.75 percent ''energy efficiency'' rider on their electric bills, one of the highest-percent charges of this kind in the United States. The need to conserve energy has been embraced by Idaho's farmers, anglers, and snowbirds - outdoor types who have helped keep the state nearly free of coal plants. They have been largely receptive to the utility's arguments that it costs less to save energy than to build new power plants. Energy experts say Idaho Power's efforts can be replicated by other power companies across the country. J. LaMont Keen, the chief executive of Idaho Power, asserts that the success of his programs shows that even utilities with large industrial loads can adapt. After peak-time energy prices increased about tenfold in 2000 and 2001, Idaho Power decided that farmers could help it reduce the load on sunny summer days, when air conditioners and other gadgets are on, by turning off their pumps for as many as 15 hours a week. The demand respond concept enables utilities to rely on cutting some demand on their systems at crucial times and avoid the cost of building a new plant just to meet those peak needs. Idaho Power is asking regulators to make permanent a pilot program started in 2007 that allows the utility to raise rates to make up for selling less power.
From "Payments To Those Who Curb Energy Use Helps Utility Cut Peak Demand"
New York Times (01/23/10) Galbraith, Kate

Energy Reports Compare You With Neighbors
More than 1 million U.S. households now receive reports on how their energy consumption compares with their neighbors, resulting in their energy use dropping an average of 2 percent to 3 percent, according to the privately held OPOWER, which provides the reports. Dozens of companies provide products to help consumers manage home energy use, such as Web sites to monitor use. OPOWER is somewhat "unique in that it discusses the social norm," says Teresa Mastrangelo, analyst with researcher Smart Grid Trends. "Everybody gets a utility bill. Few understand what the numbers mean," she says. OPOWER's reports compare a household's use to 100 similar-size homes in the same area. The company also gathers data on the home's age and construction type, enabling it to personalize conservation tips. Utilities use different ways to tell consumers where they stand. Connexus Energy in Minnesota first told consumers they were "below average" if their energy use exceeded that of their neighbors. "We learned people don't like being called below average," says Bruce Sayler, manager of regulatory affairs for Connexus. Now, consumers are told they use more energy than neighbors. In Massachusetts, National Grid started sending reports to 50,000 customers last year. Project manager Monica Ibrahim says fewer than 20 customers have opted not to participate, and the utility saw a more than 1 percent drop in home energy use in the first two months and expects that to climb.
From "Energy Reports Compare You With Neighbors"
USA Today (02/01/10) Schmit, Julie

Rebates for Solar Water Heaters Approved
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Jan. 21 approved $350 million in rebates to encourage Californians to install water-heating systems powered by solar energy. The regulators established the California Solar Initiative Thermal Program, which will be funded using $250 million to replace natural-gas-powered water heaters, with $25 million set aside for low-income customers. An additional $100.8 million will be used to swap out water heaters powered by electricity. The rebates could reduce the cost of a solar water heater by 15 percent to 25 percent. The federal government also offers a 30 percent tax credit. The program could result in systems that displace 585 million therms of natural gas, or the equivalent of placing a solar water heater in 200,000 single-family homes, according to the utilities commission. It also could lead to systems that displace 275.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. California's popular rebate program for photovoltaic solar helped spur the growth of the state's solar power industry, from companies that make solar panels to those that install them, and the CPUC wants to see the same results with solar thermal companies. "The time is right to establish a program that promotes the growth of the solar thermal market, creates green jobs and furthers our goals of greenhouse gas reductions," said Commissioner Timothy Simon.
From "Rebates for Solar Water Heaters Approved"
San Francisco Chronicle (01/22/10)

New Building 'Skins' Save Energy
A new thermal cover is being applied to older, concrete buildings to improve their energy efficiency. While cars receive the most attention in the energy efficiency movement, buildings account for nearly half of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and use more than 40 percent of the nation's energy, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. Older concrete buildings that are structurally sound but lack energy-saving technology are particularly wasteful. The problem is not necessarily solved through new, energy efficient "green" buildings if an older building has to be demolished as part of the solution. A new solution is emerging as developers start to "re-skin" older concrete buildings by adding new thermal covers to reverse concrete's tendency to capture heat in the summer and release heat in the winter. Re-skinning a building can reduce energy use by as much as 50 percent and can allow for the use of newer and better pipes and cables. Germany and England are leaders in this area. However, the Empire State building is being retrofitted on the inside, which is expected to save $4.4 million in energy costs every year.
From "New Building 'Skins' Save Energy"
Hartford Courant (CT) (01/22/10)


For Hawaii, Big Push to Go Green Is Natural
Hawaii soon may become the country's leader in green energy. The state already has its own government-created Natural Energy Research Laboratory of Hawaii Authority, which runs solar power projects, algae into power projects and wind turbines. The authority assists 42 green private-sector companies on 877 acres and is looking to get 70 percent of its energy from clean sources within 20 years. The figure may be impressive, but Hawaii relies on imported oil to fuel its facilities and vehicles, which can lead to spills, price changes and geopolitics. Hawaii also is concerned about global warming because climate change has the potential to increase the risk of dangerous storms. Although Hawaii's changes will not alter the entire country's footprint, the state hopes to provide an example for the United States. "We're adopting policies and technologies here that can serve as a model for the rest of the globe," says Blue Planet Foundation executive director Jeff Mikulina. In order to reach its goal, Hawaii's regulations include requiring new homes to be built with solar water heaters, building a network of recharging stations for electric cars and creating a system to convince customers to go solar by paying them to generate renewable energy.
From "For Hawaii, Big Push to Go Green Is Natural"
Los Angeles Times (02/04/10) Semuels, Alana

CL&P Energy Program Pilot Customers Respond to Price Signals
In 2009, Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) conducted a pilot study on smart technology and peak-time based energy rates from June 1 to Aug. 31. The voluntary rate initiative, called the Plan-It Wise Energy Program, involved roughly 1,700 residential customers and 1,300 commercial and industrial (C&I) customers. The pilot study was recently filed with the state's Department of Public Utility Control. It concluded that ratepayers used significantly less energy during times of peak electric usage when they were provided with clear pricing signals. Residential customers saved an average of $15.21 during the course of the pilot, of whom limited-income customers saved $8.07. C&I customers paid an additional $15.45 on average. The data also revealed, however, that ratepayers who used the Plan-It Wise Web site to monitor their energy usage saved more, with residential customers saving $24.69 on average and C&I customers saving $0.14. Nearly 90 percent of residential and C&I customers surveyed said they joined the pilot to save money, while 67 percent of residential and 52 percent of C&I customers said they were also motivated by environmental concerns. The rate programs that had the fewest peak hours, the highest peak-time pricing and the lowest off-peak-time pricing were most effective in reducing peak-time power consumption.
From "CL&P Energy Program Pilot Customers Respond to Price Signals"
Transmission & Distribution (01/10) Vol. 62, No. 1, P. 18