American mayors have made a visible stand promoting the need for action to reduce climate change, with some 850 mayors joining the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and committing to strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities.
But the action is going to multiply as the nation’s governors begin their national conference this week in Philadelphia. The National Governors Association's Securing a Clean Energy Future Initiative is expected to take precedence, as the governors are aggressively moving forward with plans to address energy and climate change issues.· Many of them have established commissions or committees to review energy issues and climate change issues, including Gov. Sonny Perdue (R-GA), Gov. Phil Bredesen (D-TN), Gov. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Gov. Jim Doyle (D-WI).
· Others are providing education to businesses and organizations in their state, such as Gov. Charlie Crist’s (R-FL) recent Serve to Preserve Conference featuring Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) talking about the remarkable ways he’s advancing California’s efforts.
· Some are also supporting legislation that brings together the efforts of cities and counties within their state, such as Gov. Deval Patrick (D-MA)’s support for the "green communities" program, offering cities and towns the chance to use state loans and grants to finance energy efficiency improvements, and renewable and alternative energy projects;
· They’re coming up with innovative ideas, such as Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.’s (R-UT) recent proposal to move state agencies to four 10-hour days a week in order to save energy and reduce commuting expenses.
· And best of all, the governors are banding together to share best practices. That’s one of the highlights of the upcoming Southern Governors’ Association Annual Meeting at which Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA) will host a town hall-style meeting to discuss several initiatives.
If you’ll notice, this isn’t a Republican issue or a Democratic issue. It’s a good government issue. The governors know that addressing climate change begins at home – looking at their own buildings and operations to determine how to make them more energy-efficient. Saving energy saves money, helps the environment and creates green-collar jobs. It addresses the “Triple Bottom Line” of Economic, Social and Environmental benefits.
The leadership they’re providing is an excellent way to demonstrate to businesses in their own states to follow in the same direction.
Tom Walther is the Regional Sales Manager for State Government Solutions for Johnson Controls in the Eastern United States.
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There's an interesting race going on these days between rising gas prices and battery technology, and it's easy to see who we're hoping will win: If the technology dominates, we'll be seeing cars that get up to 100 miles per gallon.
Right now gas prices appeared to be taking the lead at more than $4 a gallon. But two recent major developments are providing a boost for lithium-ion batteries, the technology being developed by Johnson Controls-Saft that's the odds-on favorite for the next generation of electrified powertrain cars.
First, a test fleet of Ford Escape plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) was announced by the Department of Energy. Powered by lithium-ion batteries from Johnson Controls-Saft, the demonstration fleet will initially roll out in Southern California. The project will examine the value proposition of PHEVs as part of a complete vehicle, home and grid energy system. The fleet test is part of an ongoing collaboration among Ford, Johnson Controls-Saft, Southern California Edison (SCE) and the Electric Power Research Institute.
The 20-vehicle fleet will be tested first in California by SCE and later by other utilities in the New York/ New Jersey area, to help determine regional differences in vehicle usage and performance, as well as how PHEVs will affect the electric grid system and associated infrastructure requirements.
PHEVs have the ability to drive an extended range on electric-only power, can significantly reduce emissions and can improve fuel economy. The first unit was delivered to California in December 2007; additional units will be on the road this summer.
Also, recently Johnson Controls-Saft was awarded an $ 8.2 million dollar, two-year contract by the United States Advanced Battery Consortium to develop Li-Ion battery system technology for both 10-mile and 40-mile range PHEVs. The contract technology efforts will focus on tailoring the cell design, thermal management performance and system cost for the differing demands of 10- and 40-mile range applications. External funding for this 50 percent cost-shared program is provided by the U. S. Department of Energy.
We're excited to be advancing the technology, which provides so many positive elements, including a cleaner environment, green collar jobs and best of all - hope for people who don't want to be left home because of high gas prices.
]]>It was a moment I’ll never forget at last week’s 19th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum in Washington D.C. My organization, the U.S. Energy Association, sponsors this yearly event with Johnson Controls, Inc.
The National Press Club ballroom was packed with not only a who’s who in energy policy, but also with the people around the country who are responsible for leading energy decisions in their businesses, school districts, hospitals, colleges and local governments. Indeed, the mayors of Seattle, Trenton, N.J., and York, Penn. had earlier participated in a rousing panel talking about the need for local action as the country awaits a national climate change policy. The audience’s engagement at that point was tremendous, but it’s not the moment I’m referring to.
Nor was it immediately after the speeches by the Obama and McCain surrogates – Jason Grumet of the National Commission on Energy Policy and former Senator and Governor George Allen, respectively. Both did an outstanding job of providing a glimpse of what we can expect with a new administration, no matter who is at the helm.
The moment didn’t occur during U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman’s keynote address, which touched on some of the Bush Administration’s advances in energy policy over the past eight years. His strong assertion that the American people are calling for action and taking action themselves said a great deal about the changing landscape of public opinion.
No, the moment took place during an amazing presentation by author and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman. It started with his reading – for the first time in the United States, he noted – from his forthcoming book, "Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution - and How It Can Renew America." He then described a world with a burgeoning middle class that increasingly is looking for the same material comforts that Americans and Europeans enjoy. The energy it will take to enable those comforts combined with the growing impact of climate change creates some very tangible economic, social and environmental threats to our own existence
I briefly turned my head from my place near the front of the audience and looked around. At that moment, every single person in the room – the Democrats, the Republicans, the hospital administrators, the environmentalists – was leaning forward in his or her chair, actively listening to each word.
They all understood that energy demands will affect them in profound ways, and sooner than they ever thought. It didn’t matter what their political persuasion was, or what business they were in, or where they lived. It dawned on them, as it is beginning to become understood by many, that something has to be done.
Then I turned back to Mr. Friedman. He continued speaking in subdued tones with powerful messages about how Americans can benefit by working together to find solutions that will strengthen us as a country. It’s clear that energy efficiency will play a significant role in this post-partisan approach to solving problems.
I’m pleased that the Energy Efficiency Forum has contributed to the ongoing discussion. I’m looking forward to our 20th anniversary in 2009, when we can see how the next administration, Congress and all the local players will have in impact.
Barry Worthington is the Executive Director of the U.S. Energy Association, an association of public and private energy-related organizations, corporations, and government agencies. USEA represents the broad interests of the U.S. energy sector by increasing the understanding of energy issues, both domestically and internationally.The authors determine that “energy efficiency will result in a small but net positive benefit for the American economy as a result of policies that emphasize investment-led energy efficiency improvements. These studies can inform the direction the United States must take to ensure viable energy security and climate change solutions.”
One especially interesting finding is that “a 20 percent efficiency gain by 2030 could provide an estimated 800,000 net jobs, while a 30 percent efficiency improvement might generate as many as 1.3 million net jobs.”
We’ve found that to be true as we work with many states to reduce energy use and the resulting carbon footprint in state-owned and –operated buildings. For instance, in the state of Indiana, where Johnson Controls is working on a project with the Indiana Department of Corrections, we’ve hired dozens of local contractors for work in replacing outdated boilers and lights, and upgrading energy systems. These “green collar jobs” are exactly what every state – indeed, the entire country – needs to face the challenges of not just the future, but the realities of today. By implementing energy efficiency programs, state and national leaders can have a huge impact.Tom Walther is Johnson Controls Regional Sales Manager for State Government Solutions for the Eastern United States.
In May, Johnson Controls held the first Renewable Energy Non-Profit Summit in Milwaukee to help some 130 Wisconsin public sector and non-profit organizations learn about renewable energy options. These groups had an opportunity to hear about installing on- site renewable energy at their facilities, one of the best ways to move closer to energy independence and achieve environmental goals.
At the summit, Johnson Controls announced the availability of SunKits® in Wisconsin. These pre-engineered solar photovoltaic packages are manufactured in the United States by SolarWorld AG and are designed to help businesses and organizations overcome their apprehension of incorporating solar energy into their efficiency portfolio by making solar energy a hands-on, no-risk opportunity. We Energies and Wisconsin Focus on Energy are providing grants and incentives to ensure the installations are cost-effective.
Power produced from solar panels, wind turbines and biomass is helping schools, colleges and universities, state and local governments, businesses and other organizations stabilize their energy costs while showcasing leadership within the community. Renewable energy also illustrates environmental stewardship to employees, the community, and investors. By improving the reliability of energy supplies, offsetting the rising cost of fuel, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and meeting state renewable energy goals, Wisconsin’s public sector will directly contribute to a stronger local economy.
The Renewable Energy Non-Profit Summit helped Wisconsin’s public sector to participate in this ever expanding renewable energy market. We’ll be sponsoring another Summit in the fall with our partners in sustainability, We Energies and Focus on Energy.
Judith Mouton is the Renewable Energy Solutions Education manager for Johnson Controls, Inc.
Judy collaborates with colleges, universities, and national associations in the development of renewable energy education curricula and seminars. In addition, she educates public sector customers on potential grant funding sources for renewable energy projects.
]]>The man who devised the thermostat, at all events in my private opinion, was a hero comparable to Shakespeare, Michelangelo or Beethoven. When writer H.L. Mencken penned that in the 1930s, he admitted he didn’t know who the inventor was. On May 28, that will be clear when the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) designates the Johnson Controls automatic temperature control system as a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. An event in Milwaukee is commemorating the designation. For your information, Mr. Mencken, the electric tele-thermoscope, was devised by inventor, educator and Johnson Controls founder, Warren S. Johnson. There’s a good deal of information on Professor Johnson and his other inventions (including electric storage batteries, steam and gas powered automobiles, huge pneumatic tower clocks and wireless telegraph communication) on the Johnson Controls website.
You’ll read how Professor Johnson installed the system in his classrooms to help keep students more comfortable. The situation often was worse in commercial buildings. Those control systems often consisted of someone banging on the pipes to wake up the janitor and put in some coal or open a window. This invention was the first of its kind to automatically and economically control temperature in different zones throughout a home or building. By the turn of the century, the Johnson System of Temperature Regulation was being sold in parts of Europe and Asia, including royal palaces in Spain and Japan. If you walked into some of the most important buildings in the United States, including the U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian Institution, New York Stock Exchange, or the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you’d see the ornate bronze thermostats. You’ll continue to see Johnson Controls high-tech equipment in many of those places today.The technology has come a long way since the days when they had to bang on the pipes to alert the custodial staff. Professor Johnson's 1895 invention has evolved into the modern refrigeration, fire and security systems for commercial, industrial and residential buildings that Johnson Controls provides today.At the turn of the century, saving energy sometimes meant not having to shovel as much coal! Today, it means utilizing controls technology to operate buildings at their peak, thus reducing the need for energy generation, either onsite or via utilities, and reducing a building’s impact on the environment. It’s a legacy we’re proud of.
Ken Wirth is the records and archives project manager for Johnson Controls, Inc.
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It’s a simple equation. EE + RP = AP.
Okay, let’s spell it out. Energy efficiency plus renewable power equals accelerated progress toward sustainability goals.
That’s what a growing number of state and local governments, schools, universities, businesses and other organizations are discovering. They’re also finding that planning, funding and operating renewable energy facilities require some specialized know-how. The good news is help is now only a mouse click away.
We’re partnering with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the International Facility Management Association on a series of free webinars to help organizations better understand some of the complexities of solar, wind, biomass, funding mechanism and other on-site renewable energy technologies. They’re geared toward all public sector markets. The seminars offer valuable, comprehensive and easy-to-understand information that will help anyone investigating the benefits of generating their own power from renewable sources.
On Thursday, May 22, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM (CDT), Derek Price will host a webinar on “Structuring the Deal: Funding Options and Financial Incentives for On-site Renewable Energy Projects.” Derek is a program manager for Renewable Energy Solutions at Johnson Controls. He’ll share his expertise in using cost savings from energy efficiency improvements to finance renewable energy projects. He’ll also discuss third-party ownership and other funding options, financial incentives offered by governments and other organizations, and ways to sell credits earned by generating renewable power.
On Tuesday, June 17, from 11:00 to 12:00 (CDT) William Guiney will host a webinar on “Solar Power: Lighting Up the Value of the Sun.” Bill is also a program manager for Renewable Energy Solutions at Johnson Controls. He will share his experiences as a contractor, educator and manufacturer of solar panels. The seminar will review applications, design, and engineering and installation of solar thermal and photovoltaic.
More information on the webinars and IFMA iSessions is available on both organizations' Web sites: Click here and here.
All webinar participants will receive a free white paper. Look for additional webinars on wind energy and solar power in the coming months.
I hope you’ll join us to learn how your organization can reach your sustainability goals faster by coupling on-site renewable energy with energy efficiency improvements to your facilities.
Judith Mouton, Renewable Energy Solutions Education Manager, Johnson Controls, Inc.
Judy collaborates with colleges, universities, and national associations in the development of renewable energy education curriculum and seminars. In addition, she educates public sector customers on potential grant funding sources for renewable energy projects.
When you hear about an award that honors “exemplary leadership in instituting and advancing energy efficiency in the United States and abroad,” it may seem like a lofty goal, but that’s just what the Energy Efficiency Forum’s Energy Leadership Awards is designed to recognize.
The Energy Leadership Awards were established in 1991 to honor public officials who have provided exemplary leadership in instituting and advancing energy efficiency in the United States and abroad. The awards are presented at the Energy Efficiency Forum, held this year June 10-11, 2008 in Washington, DC. The event, now in its 19th year, is co-sponsored by the United States Energy Association and Johnson Controls, Inc.
This year’s theme, “What’s Happening Now and What’s Next?”, invites an examination of the energy leadership taking place in public and private sectors, and the potential impact on business and government that new energy and climate change policies from a new presidential administration could bring. The confirmed keynote speaker is Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, author of “The World is Flat.”
For almost two decades, the Energy Efficiency Forum has found plenty of suitable award winners. From the early recipients, such as then-Sen. John Glenn and then-Gov. Tom Ridge, the Forum has sought out a bipartisan representation of those who know the importance of energy efficiency. That’s because it really comes down to individuals and the impact and influence they yield in effecting a change in, well, climate.
Darryll Fortune is the Director of Global Public Relations for Johnson Controls.]]>
It is difficult to ignore the stories about energy prices, energy independence and climate change that blanket the front pages of newspapers and crawl across the bottom of our TV screens. It shouldn't surprise us, then, that executives are paying increased attention to energy management, as demonstrated by the second annual Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency Indicator survey, released in mid April.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, commercial buildings consume 40% of all natural gas and 60% of the electricity produced in this country. And according to "The Case for Investing in Energy Productivity," a new report from the McKinsey Global Institute, squeezing more productivity out of the energy that industries, homes and vehicles consume is the most economical way to stifle rising energy demand and control the output of planet-warming gases.
We initiated the Energy Efficiency Indicator survey of energy management decision-makers last year because we wanted to know if and how organizations were adjusting their operations in response to rising energy prices. On a number of fronts, we saw quite a bit of movement from 2007 to 2008. Nearly three-quarters of businesses are paying more attention to energy efficiency than they were just a year ago. That's up from the 62% in 2007.
We also saw an increase in the importance being attached to energy management. Today, one in five regards energy management as extremely important. In 2007, only 15% felt that strongly.
Businesses expect energy prices to continue to rise, but it may be that the full impact of risings costs has yet to be felt. In last year's survey, 79% said they expected energy costs to rise, and the average increase was anticipated to be 13%. However, according to the Energy Information Administration, commercial natural gas and electricity prices were relatively flat last year. (In this year's survey, 80% of respondents said they believe natural gas and electricity prices will rise over the next year. On average, the expectation is for prices to rise 14%.)
Despite expectations for rising energy prices, plans for investment in energy efficiency remained constant from 2007 to 2008. There is a trend, however, toward more significant energy efficiency measures including replacing inefficient equipment before the end of its useful life (41%, up 13% from 2007) and switching to energy efficient lighting (78%, up 11%). Also, 88% claim that energy efficiency is a design priority in construction and retrofit projects, up 11% from a year ago.
While cost has been the historic driver of energy efficiency investments, environmental responsibility is gaining ground as an additional motivator for energy efficiency investments. For 53% of respondents (up 5%), environmental responsibility is an equal or greater motivator than cost reduction for investing in energy efficiency. Seventeen percent cited environmental responsibility as the stronger motivator, up from 13% in 2007. Thirty-six percent (about the same as last year) said they were equally motivated by environmental responsibility and cost savings.
For the first time, the Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency Indicator probed deeper into how environmental and financial factors influenced energy efficiency decisions. We found it compelling that many companies are considering energy efficiency, renewable energy and green buildings as strategies to address environmental sustainability.
• 28% feel climate change has an extremely or very significant influence on their energy efficiency investments and 31% said it was somewhat significant.
• 39% think that significant legislation mandating energy efficiency and/or carbon reduction is extremely or very likely
• Nearly one-third (31%) believe that green buildings will be extremely or very important in attracting and retaining future employees.
• 34% plan to have new construction projects certified to a recognized green standard while 20% plan to certify existing buildings after retrofit. An additional 59% plan to include at green elements in future retrofits.
• 38% said they were including or considering solar electric (PV) technology in new construction or retrofit projects while 24% were also considering solar thermal.
Cost control has always been a boardroom issue and energy efficiency has proved to be an effective improvement strategy for decades. With increased organizational focus on environmental responsibility, it will be interesting to see if energy efficiency garners more strategic attention and investment in the coming years. We intend to continue monitoring and reporting on these important trends.
A complete report of the Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency Indicator research results is available by clicking on this link.
]]>Clay Nesler
Vice President, Global Energy and Sustainability, Johnson Controls, Inc.“Oil Surpasses $100+ a Barrel!”
It’s a common headline that sparks anxiety. But, does it spark anything else? The high price of energy is obviously having a profound effect on household budgets, discretionary spending and consumers’ psychology.
But what about businesses and other organizations – have rising energy prices affected any significant change in their operations, or in the ways in which they view investments in energy efficiency? Because if they have, it could conceivably contribute to long-term economic growth.
That’s what we’re trying to determine with our second annual Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency Indicator survey. We commissioned the first research in 2007, focusing on the ways in which companies and organizations in North America were responding to rising energy costs, what sort of payback they expected from investments in energy efficiency, to what extent investments in energy efficiency were motivated by concerns about the environment versus economics, and more.
Last year the research showed that just over half – 52 percent – of the executives surveyed said cost savings were either entirely or somewhat the driver for their decision to invest in energy efficiency measures. Thirty-five percent said cost savings and environmental responsibility are equal motivators, and 13 percent cited environmental concern as the greater motivator.
This year we added a few more questions to the survey. We wanted to look more closely at the drivers of energy efficiency investments: What role does awareness/concerns about climate change play? How important are government incentives?
We also wondered whether higher energy costs are making businesses take renewable energy sources more seriously, and whether a desire to be certified “green” by a third-party organization is having an impact.
In response to these provocative questions, we received appropriately thought-provoking answers. We’re going to be announcing the results during a Webcast on April 14 at 10 a.m. Central. In addition to reporting the research findings, the Webcast will feature a panel discussion moderated by Joel Makower, co-founder and executive editor of Greener World Media, Inc. He’ll discuss the findings with executives from different sectors who will describe the methods they are incorporating to help cope with rising energy prices, the operational and investment changes their organizations have made and plan to make. The panelists include:
· Michael Feldman, deputy managing director of the Seattle-Tacoma Airport, which is aiming to be one of the greenest airports in the world
· Stuart Carron, director, global facilities and real estate, for JohnsonDiversey, a manufacturer of industrial cleaning products that has strived to become more environmentally friendly
· Steve McGuire, environmental marketing manager for Philips Lighting, a company that has helped pioneer more energy efficient lighting.
Their discussion promises to provide insights and even lessons about how to thrive in the face of rising energy costs. Please join us. Click here to register for this free Webcast, or go to http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=46411®d=n
One common issue facing decision-makers is how to address environmental issues – from volatile energy costs to the mammoth issue of climate change. Traditionally the business world has perceived that doing anything more than grabbing the “low-hanging fruit” such as lighting retrofits is complex and expensive.
Welcome to 2008. Market forces that include grid reliability issues, regulatory changes and heightened public interest in environmental stewardship, not to mention rising energy costs, are beginning to push businesses and other organizations to consider alternative energy sources. The granddaddy of these is solar power, which first appeared on the scene in the 1960s but was dismissed as impractical because of the size and number of solar panels needed to produce significant energy and because it was far more expensive than conventional methods of generating electricity.
Advances in solar energy technology plus rising electricity prices have changed that equation. Today solar energy is worth a second look as an on-site, reliable, environmentally friendly power source. Reasons to consider it include:
There are two solar options for commercial applications: solar photovoltaic which taps the power of sunlight to generate electricity, displacing utility grid-delivered power; and solar thermal, which uses the heat energy generated by sunlight to displace natural gas, electricity and LPG power sources.
Solar thermal is really the low-hanging fruit of renewable energy. It can be used very cost-effectively for hot water and steam boiler make-up as well as for heating water for swimming pools. And it’s easy to retrofit most buildings with the technology. Businesses and institutions that are already taking advantage of this technology include the hospitality industry, college dormitories, hospitals, laundry facilities and a variety of municipal entities, including the Chicago Cultural Center. Solar thermal systems are typically designed to handle 50 percent to 80 percent of the actual load for hot water needs.
Photovoltaic is a little more complex to install. However several companies now produce photovoltaic kits that deliver a pre-engineered, packaged stand-alone system. The kits can also be used as building blocks to create a larger system. Businesses interested in exploring this option can go to www.consumerenergycenter.org/renewables/estimator/index.html to quickly determine the economic benefits of a solar kit. The site connects to the Clean Power EstimatorTM, which is an economic evaluation software program. The program provides residential and commercial electric customers an estimate of the costs and benefits of investing in a photovoltaic (PV) solar (or small wind electric generation) system.
Remember that it is best to choose an installer that is NABCEP certified. NABCEP is the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, which certifies contractors as properly trained in PV installations (www.nabcep.org). A qualified installer can help assess the site and provide a power production forecast reflecting your geographical location.
Solar power is definitely worth a second look.
Bill Guiney is Program Manager, Renewable Solutions for Johnson Controls, Inc. He has more than 26 years of experience in the solar industry as a contractor, educator, distributor and manufacturer of solar energy industry. Bill was a leading instructor for solar thermal at the Florida and North Carolina Solar Energy Centers and currently serves on the North American Board of Certified Energy Professional’s technical committee for solar thermal.
]]>Johnson Controls
Last week, I wrote about an event held in Pittsburgh March 13-14: Good Jobs, Green Jobs: A National Green Jobs Conference.
And what an event it was! Organizers say more than 900 people attended from a broad range of interests: Businesses, state/local government, NGOs, and trade unions – all looking for ways to benefit from more jobs in the environmental sector.
As I mentioned, one of the reasons I went to the conference was a desire for a better definition of what a green collar job is. Although there still will be a good deal of discussion about specifics, I was pleased with the definition given in the Apollo Alliance’s outstanding publication, Green-Collar Jobs In America’s Cities: Building Pathways Out Of Poverty and Careers In The Clean Energy Economy.“Green-collar jobs…are well-paid, career track jobs that contribute directly to preserving or enhancing environmental quality. Like traditional blue-collar jobs, green-collar jobs range from low-skill, entry-level positions to high-skill, higher-paid jobs, and include opportunities for advancement in both skills and wages.”
What I like about this definition is that it provides a better connection to the triple-bottom-line of sustainability: measuring success through financial, social and environmental advances. Reuters quotes Piper Jaffray’s Lois Quam as saying there are currently about 8 million "green" jobs in the United States in industries that attracted $148 million in investment in 2007, up 60 percent from the year before.
I spoke at a session on Friday, and from the reaction of our audience, it’s the cities and states – along with private-sector partnerships – that will make Green Collar Jobs a reality as a tool for economic development. (Note: Earlier in the week, a similar study and plan of action for state policy makers, Greener Pathways, was released in Milwaukee.)
I counted myself among the growing group of industry experts at the conference who strongly advocate energy efficiency and renewable projects as the best creator for green jobs.
An analysis by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) indicates that if investments and policies are implemented to meet Governor Martin O’Malley’s energy efficiency reduction goals of 15% of forecasted electricity consumption by 2015, more than 12,000 new jobs in the state will be created by 2025.
“These include well-paying trade and professional jobs needed to design and install energy efficiency measures. These new jobs, including both direct and indirect employment effects, would be the equivalent of some 100 new manufacturing plants relocating to Maryland, but without the public costs for infrastructure or the environmental impacts of new facilities,” according to the report.
As a bonus, these energy efficiency projects also are the most effective way to reduce carbon emissions. For example, Johnson Controls is helping the city of Baltimore reduce its $40 million annually energy budget by building a renewable methane gas energy generation facility and providing energy efficiency facility upgrades. Some of the project results:
The Good Jobs, Green Jobs conference absolutely was a turning point for all involved. Now we’ve got to get the word out about the need for more public-private partnerships that advance these types of projects in every city and every state in the country.
]]>Johnson Controls
An event being held in Pittsburgh March 13-14 is the first I’ve seen that focus entirely on what truly has become the buzz phrase of 2008: Green Collar Jobs.
Good Jobs, Green Jobs: A National Green Jobs Conference is promoted as an event that “will bring together national leaders and advocates to share the best thinking about the link between economic opportunity and environmental solutions.” I’ll be speaking Friday, March 14 at 8:45 AM, and I’m looking forward to an exciting session.
First of all, what’s a green collar job? I haven't found a single definition for it, and if you have one please share it, but it generally includes elements of what is in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, recently passed by Congress, which provides support for people in these areas:
The term “Green Collar” actually was first brought up at a 1976 Congressional hearing, when university professor Patrick Heffernan, delivered his paper, “Jobs for the Environment — The Coming Green Collar Revolution.”
There was quite a lull in the conversation about the connection between the environment and job creation until organizations such as the Apollo Alliance (launched by the Institute for America’s Future and the Center on Wisconsin Strategy) and the Blue Green Alliance (led by the United Steelworkers and Sierra Club) recognized the powerful economic force that could be created.
These days, presidential candidates refer to green collar jobs as part of their platform addressing environmental issues and mayors look to green collar jobs as a means of attracting high-tech companies to their cities.
Even more important – green collar businesses are attracting new, young workers who have an environmental ethic and older, seasoned workers who are eager to be retrained in growing fields.
At the Good Jobs, Green Jobs conference, I look forward to meeting other participants to share best practices, advocate more political solutions and encourage investment in green collar industries and energy efficiency projects.
Pittsburgh in March? It will never look so green.
Joy Clarke-Holmes is the Director of Local Government & Metro Markets Solutions Sales for Johnson Controls, Inc. She manages marketing and sales operations for hundreds of municipal customers across the United States for Johnson Controls, a global leader in creating infrastructure improvements with economic impact.
Joy also represents Johnson Controls in several national organizations, including the National Association of Counties, International City/County Management Association, National League of Cities, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
In addition to her 25 years of business experience, Joy is involved in many civic organizations. She has a BS in Education from the City College of New York and is a graduate of the Management Institute at the University of Southern California.
As 2008 gets under way, the many implications and consequences of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 are beginning to make waves. Signed into law by President Bush on December 19th, 2007, the law will make a major impact on lighting, and how home owners and businesses look at energy savings.
One key initiative of the recently signed law is that it "mandates increases in energy efficiency of light bulbs by 30 percent. This will effectively phase out most common types of incandescent light bulbs by 2012."1
Many people are reluctant to change from incandescent lighting because they have not been educated well enough on the benefits of newer technologies. Consider this:
• Increasing efficiency of light bulbs by 30 percent has already been done through the introduction of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), as well as the use of energy saving halogen technology.
These two technologies have overcome many of the early major objections stated below in bold:
• Dimming is not possible: Actually, dimming is now possible on certain types of CFL and all halogen lighting.
• Light output is not equivalent: Light output is the same and sometimes better than incandescent lighting.
• CFL doesn't provide good color: Now you are able to select from several color options with CFL lamps - 2700K, 3500K, 4100K, and 5000K (K = Kelvin).
• Color rendering is not as good as with incandescent bulbs: Energy saving halogen technology provides exactly the same color rendering as incandescent, and CFL color rendering is 82 CRI (color rendering index) on a scale of 1-100, considered very good (incandescent color rendering is 100).
• They don't last as long: Halogen lasts up to three times longer, while CFLs last up to 10 times longer than incandescent lamps.
Consumers and businesses alike must continue to learn how to save energy within the needs of their own space. A high level of education is the most important aspect in helping to make a decision as to what type of lamp can benefit their needs.
Does a business know that changing incandescent desk lamps for CFLs can provide up to 75 percent energy savings? A desk lamp doesn't seem like much, but that's just the beginning. That same incandescent lamp is in ceiling-can lighting, wall sconces and other applications. So here is a one-lamp scenario: One watt, at 10 cents per kilowatt hour, at 4000 hours running per year will save 40 cents per watt, per year. That is an approximate savings of $30 in energy alone. Add in the cost of the lamp and labor and the savings grows.
On March 13th, 2007, a coalition including Philips Lighting joined together to press the government to ban inefficient lighting2. Philips has considered sustainability a long-standing initiative. Moving to more efficient lighting is just one way to positively impact the environment. You can read more about Philips Sustainability initiatives at: http://www.philips.com and http://www.asimpleswitch.com.
The government understands the impact energy savings can have on the environment. Now it's time to educate consumers and businesses on how they can support one of the most important initiatives our generation has ever seen - and benefit from it at the same time.
1(http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/energy/)
2 New York Times, March 14th, 2007
George Gansner is a Field Marketing Manager for Philips Lighting. His responsibilities include Philips professional channel marketing initiatives for the central part of the United States. George can be reached at george.gansner@philips.com for more information.
By Mark Wagner
What a difference a couple of years make! When President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 this week, people actually paid attention.
Unlike the Energy Policy Act of 2005, this new bill contains actions that will affect consumers – higher fuel standards and phasing out incandescent light bulbs – that are grabbing headlines.
We were all ready for this one. Congress, the president and the American public are concerned about an unstable Middle East, global warming and high gas prices, and energy efficiency can have a positive impact on all of them. But just as important as fuel-efficient vehicles and energy-efficient light bulbs are the parts of the energy bill that aren’t getting headlines. Here are just a few:
Amid these worthwhile programs are two caveats.
So that’s the next challenge. Keep pushing for renewable energy incentives, and fund the new programs. Simple, right? But the fact that we’ve achieved so much in two years tells me we have the momentum, and Congress has the energy to make it happen.
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