One of the most exciting projects I work on all year is being a member of the Executive Council that plans the national Energy Efficiency Forum.  The 18th annual forum was held June 13-14 in Washington, DC, and the topic could not have been hotter.

The event actually started with a special session exploring onsite renewable energy.  It including a broad overview of the technologies, legal and financial considerations, and incentives and emerging markets for credits through Green Tags (for renewable energy) and White Tags (for energy efficiency).  In addition to subject-matter experts, we heard interesting case studies from an Illinois school district and the University of South Carolina, along with a great kick-off from Andy Karsner, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy.  What was most interesting to me was the step-by-step approach.  Sometimes I think people believe renewable energy is too difficult to do – and I’m not going to suggest it’s simple – but it’s something that can be accomplished with good planning.

The Forum itself was a microcosm of what’s going on in the energy industry today.  First of all, the people in the audience represented a broad range of energy end-users – from the federal government to global industrial companies – along with energy industry and NGOs.  And the speakers were equally diverse.  Republican congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, who as the former head of the Science Committee vigorously defended his recommendations not to have the U.S. sign onto the Kyoto treaty.  He said any climate change solutions have to be realistic, affordable, globally inclusive and produce tangible results.  Energy efficiency certainly is right up in line with those goals.  In contrast to his speech, German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth talked about all the financial, environmental and social benefits his country is finding as it strives to comply with Kyoto mandates.  It was great to have both points of view, then have a panel of industry representatives talk about how it will play out in the marketplace.

Also interesting was Energy Secretary Sam Bodman’s keynote address about the role of government in promoting energy efficiency.  Ultimately, he said, “the transition to a more energy efficient economy will largely happen as a result of changes in the private sector.  The marketplace can move faster than government, can accommodate and absorb breakthroughs in technology more quickly and, overall, has better access to information.” 

To me, no matter your political affiliation or business, those are the keys: technology and information.  I think a timely combination – along with some additional government leadership on the local, state and national levels – will keep us going in the right direction.

The theme of the conference was “Energy Efficiency: Daring to Commit.”  It sounds like the time is now to do just that.

For transcripts, photos and more information, see www.eeforum.net.

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