Johnson Controls: Your Energy Forum: Public Policy Archives

Looking Behind the Headlines for the Big News on Green Jobs
September 13, 2009

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By Darrell Fortune, Johnson Controls

As a heavy consumer of news about anything related to energy, I always hate it when important developments in the energy story get buried under headlines about something that may be sexier in the short run, but will have little or no impact in the long run. Last week was a perfect example.

Judging from the coverage, the departure of Van Jones as the green jobs czar in the Obama administration was the big news on the energy-and-the-economy front last week. It wasn’t. At least two other really significant developments easily eclipsed the Jones story – but got little attention.

The first was a report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that finally, once and for all, debunks that Spanish study that supposedly found that when a government subsidizes renewable energy development its economy actually loses jobs as a result.

The study – conducted by Madrid’s King Juan Carlos University – has been used over and over again to discredit claims that developing renewable energy resources in the U.S. will not only help the environment and slow climate change, but will also create jobs and stimulate the economy. The Spanish report suggested that for every one job created by government subsidies of solar, wind or other renewables industries, two jobs are lost because private investments in other sectors of the economy decline.

Now, we can conclusively say, “Phooey!” NREL studied the study and found it is overly simplistic, used old jobs data and does not support its own conclusions. The NREL report says there is no evidence in the Spanish study suggesting that government spending on renewable energy would crowd out private investment. Since the conclusion rests on that assumption, the conclusion is wrong, said NREL: subsidizing renewable energy does not cost jobs.

A second big piece of green job news to come out last week was the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) report that calculates the employment and economic benefits of climate and energy legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and pending in the Senate.

The ACEEE report focuses not on the cap-and-trade elements of the legislation that have so far attracted so much attention, but on the energy efficiency measures. The report concludes that if these measures become law, they will, by 2030:

save American consumers an average of $486 per household
create over 600,000 jobs
reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 500 million metric tons
avoid the need for 419 medium-sized coal-fired power plants

The report goes on to project that if the energy efficiency measures in the legislation are strengthened, the improvements would likely increase dramatically: 48 percent more jobs, 32 percent more savings for consumers and nationwide carbon emissions that are 15 percent lower.

Observes Steven Nadel, ACEEE's Executive Director and co-author of the report, “Energy efficiency may not be as hot a topic as cap-and-trade, but it certainly gets the job done when it comes to saving consumers money and creating jobs.”

And my colleague here at Johnson Controls, Mark Wagner, summed up our position on the report when he said, "We are one of a growing number of companies who recognize that energy efficiency means more jobs, lower costs, reduced emissions, and competitive advantage. Efficiency can bring economic benefits to every community in America - and we're proud to work with ACEEE to tap into that incredible potential.”

Efficiency Now. It’s never been more important.

In the Eye of the Storm at the Energy Efficiency Forum
June 22, 2009

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By Darryll Fortune, Johnson Controls

The old saw, “when it rains it pours” was never truer than it was last week in Washington, D.C., where Johnson Controls proudly co-sponsored the 20th edition of the Energy Efficiency Forum. The weather was fine – cloudy and cool – but there was an absolute downpour of news about energy efficiency, both at the Forum and elsewhere in the nation’s capitol.

We kicked off the event by inducting the first honorees into the Energy Efficiency Forum Hall of Fame –two dozen leaders who have made phenomenal contributions to energy efficiency policy over the past two decades from their positions in government, private industry, non-profit organizations and the news media. It was a real privilege to see so many deserving people get a little credit for their hard work and leadership.

The following day, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson keynoted the Forum, calling energy efficiency critical to our nation’s future. “We know that we will not reach that future with a business-as-usual approach,” said Jackson. “One of the best things we can do for our economy and our environment is to focus on energy efficiency.”

Under Secretary of Energy Kristina Johnson made her first public appearance at the Forum and said the Department of Energy believes energy use in buildings can ultimately be reduced by up to 70%, with renewable resources such as solar and wind power providing the balance of electricity needed. “It’s a very exciting time at DOE,” said Johnson. “It’s a very exciting time for the country.”

The National Press Club, where we hosted the Forum, wasn’t the only place in Washington where excitement about energy efficiency was being generated last week. On the same day she delivered her keynote address at the Forum, EPA Administrator Jackson appeared on Capitol Hill with the Secretaries of Transportation and Housing to announce a joint government initiative called the Partnership for Sustainable Communities.

The Partnership will work to provide communities across the country with more safe, reliable and economical transportation options, while promoting affordable housing, protecting the environment and addressing climate change.

And speaking of climate change, on the same day the Forum was taking place, the U.S. Global Change Research Program – the organization that “coordinates and integrates federal research on changes in the global environment and their implications on society” – released a very significant new report.

Called “Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States,” the report was two years in the making, its research and preparation spanning two presidential administrations. It is the combined effort of experts in 13 U.S. government science agencies and several major universities and research institutes. The report lists among its key findings:

Global warming is undeniable and primarily caused by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases
Heat waves will become more frequent and intense
Increased heavy downpours will lead to more flooding
Rising sea levels will threaten homes and coastal land will be increasingly lost
Insect infestations and wildfires are already increasing and projected to continue doing so

The report is intended to help all Americans take steps to limit climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adopting strategies to either avoid or adapt to the harmful impacts of climate change.

The report does not favor one approach over another. It is apparent, however, that decreasing fossil fuel emissions by increasing energy efficiency is critical to addressing the clear and present danger that climate change presents.

With its theme of “Efficiency First: Transforming America’s Energy Future,” this year’s Forum – bringing together policymakers, business leaders, non-governmental organizations and others in our nation’s capitol – couldn’t have taken place at a better time or in a more appropriate location.

Efficiency Now. It’s never been more important.

Two Decades of Dedication to Energy Efficiency
June 14, 2009

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By Barry Worthington, Executive Director, U.S. Energy Association

Remember 1990? It was the year East and West Germany re-united as the Soviet Union began to crumble. Nelson Mandela was freed in South Africa. The Hubble Telescope was launched into orbit. Iraq invaded Kuwait, triggering the first Gulf War. Driving Miss Daisy was Best Picture. And the Cincinnati Reds swept the Oakland A’s to win the World Series.

1990 was also the first year of the “Energy Conservation Forum” as it was called back then. Today, it’s called the “Energy Efficiency Forum,” and it takes places for the 20th consecutive year in Washington D.C. this week. We’ve been a proud co-sponsor of the event with Johnson Controls since 1992.

For two decades, the Forum has brought together policy makers, business people and other stakeholders to share their views on energy efficiency and its impact on the environment, national security and economic growth.

It’s the passion of the people who’ve taken part in that discussion over the years that has made the Forum what it is today. And it’s that passion that we celebrate in a very special way this year by creating the Energy Efficiency Forum Hall of Fame and inducting its first members – each one of them selected by the Executive Council for their outstanding contributions to energy efficiency policy and for their ongoing leadership:

Doug Decker – former director of the government business unit at Johnson Controls and founder of the Forum.
Mark Ginsberg – former director of the Federal Energy Management Program that leads federal agencies to reduce energy consumption, and currently senior executive with the Department of Energy.
Dr. James Schlesinger – the nation’s first Secretary of Energy under President Jimmy Carter.
Thomas Kuhn – President and CEO of the Edison Electric Institute, the association of investor-owned electric utilities that generate three-quarters of the nation’s electricity.
Hazel O’Leary – Energy Secretary under President Bill Clinton and currently president of Fisk University.
Phil Sharp – former Congressman from Indiana and currently president of Resources for the Future.
Jack Gibbons – appointed as the first director of the Federal Office of Energy Conservation in 1973, just as the nation’s first energy crisis began, ultimately becoming President Clinton’s director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Christine Ervin – formerly the Department of Energy’s Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, who went on to lead the U.S. Green Building Council.
Kathleen Hogan – Director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at the Environmental Protection Agency, which includes ENERGY STAR®.
Dan Reicher – Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in the Clinton administration; currently director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives for Google.org.
Spencer Abraham – A former Senator from Michigan, Abraham was Secretary of Energy under President George H. Bush.
Christine Todd Whitman – The former Governor of New Jersey served as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from 2001 to 2003 where she was a strong advocate for financial incentives for energy efficient buildings and renewable energy.
Senator Byron Dorgan – The North Dakota Senator has championed energy independence as chairman of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee.
Branko Terzic – A former energy commissioner in Wisconsin and at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission who has long been involved in the Forum as a speaker, moderator and member of the Executive Council.
Eileen Claussen – the president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change who once correctly predicted that a cap-and-trade system would require “a great deal of political will” to pull off.
David Garman – Formerly Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, as well as Under Secretary of Energy, where he played a lead role in implementing major presidential energy initiatives for President George W. Bush.
Edward G. Rendell – The Governor of Pennsylvania has a well-established track record of promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Tom Leppert – As the former CEO of Turner Construction, the Mayor of Dallas probably knows more about energy efficiency in buildings than any other mayor currently in office.
Timothy E. Wirth – The former congressman and senator from Colorado is president of the United Nation’s Foundation and Better World Fund, working to strengthen the United Nation’s work with the respect to the environment and other issues.
James Rogers – Chairman, president and CEO of Duke Energy as well as co-chair of the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency.
Kateri Callahan – The president of the Alliance to Save Energy is a tireless advocate, fundraiser and coalition builder for energy efficiency in the marketplace.
Greg Nickels – As Mayor of Seattle, he has led his city to become one of the greenest in the nation. He is also author of the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement.
Thomas Friedman – The Pulitzer-prize winning New York Times reporter and author has made a career of writing about global trends and issues that have included energy and the environment.
Andy Karsner – Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in the administration of President George W. Bush, where he earned the respect of both the business and environmental communities.

These are the men and women – Democrats and Republicans, representing governments, businesses and non-governmental organizations, elected and appointed officials – who not only understand the urgency of energy efficiency, but who are doing something every day to get the job done.

It’s a privilege to honor them as we celebrate two decades of achievement at the Energy Efficiency Forum.

Performance Contracting: Speeding Stimulus Dollars for Energy Programs into Local Economies
February 23, 2009

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By Joy Clarke-Holmes, Johnson Controls

And so begins what may well be the biggest economic experiment in history. The $780 billion stimulus package signed by President Obama last week is intended to jump-start our economic engine. Will it work? Ask me that question again in a few months, but in the meantime this much is crystal clear: the sooner the money is spent, the sooner we’ll feel the impact.

That’s certainly true for the billions of dollars going to local governments to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. And I can tell you from personal experience there is no faster, more responsible way to get that money into the economy than performance contracting – a funding mechanism that’s been around for more than a decade and is currently available in virtually every state in the union.

Recently, I had the opportunity to talk about how performance contracting can help local governments capture their share of the stimulus spending when I participated in a green tech solutions town hall meeting sponsored by the National League of Cities. Check out the archived version here to find out what hundreds of other cities nationwide have already learned: performance contracting can help them cut their costs, support their sustainability goals and create green jobs for local workers.

It’s Time to Light the Fuse on this Rocket!
January 26, 2009

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By Joy Clarke-Holmes, Johnson Controls, Inc.

In his confirmation hearings, former U.S. Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colorado) – President Obama’s pick for interior secretary – said one of his responsibilities will be helping the new administration craft the “energy moon shot we will take.”

Salazar’s reference to America’s successful initiative to put a man on the moon in the 1960’s– an initiative envisioned by another young and popular president – is, to say the least, very encouraging. A moon shot-type effort is precisely what’s needed to rebuild our economy, break our dependence on foreign oil and avoid catastrophic global climate change.

And we need to get it off the launch pad right now. The new administration and lawmakers must act immediately to adopt and implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009, currently before Congress. The act includes key provisions to put people back to work and put us on a fast track to a clean energy future. Among them:

$11 billion to modernize our electricity grid
$8 billion in loans for renewable energy projects
$6 billion to make federal buildings more energy efficient
$6.9 billion to help state and local governments improve energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions
$2.5 billion to increase energy efficiency in public housing units
$1.5 billion for grants and loans to school districts, universities and other institutions for energy efficiency initiatives
$2 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy R & D
$2 billion for loans and grants to support U.S. manufacturers developing advanced battery systems for next generation vehicles

These investments will transform our economy, our energy infrastructure and our workforce. And the sooner we start investing, the better. But where to spend all this money?

Recently, a senior economist at a respected university questioned whether there are enough “shovel ready” energy efficiency and renewable energy projects around the country to make an immediate impact. The answer is a resounding “yes!”

Businesses and organizations of every kind – federal agencies and facilities, state and local governments, local school districts, public and private colleges and universities, manufacturing, retail, industrial, you name it – are way beyond eager to get going on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. To list just a few projects we’ve recently completed here at Johnson Controls:

Installation of a solar PV system on a parking structure at a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona. The system generates more than 20,000 kilowatt hours of electricity every year, and avoids emission of more than 28,000 pounds of CO2.
In East Hartford, Connecticut, installation of energy efficiency measures in 18 school and municipal buildings. The measures will save taxpayers more than $500,000 annually, make them eligible to receive more than $700,000 in utility incentives, save the amount of energy needed to power more than 400 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 677 cars from the roads or planting 943 trees.
Completed energy efficiency upgrades to key county government facilities in Peoria, Illinois that will generate more than $1 million in savings.

I could list many, many more, but the point is this: there are plenty of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that could begin immediately.

In fact, the U.S. Conference of Mayors just released a list of 18,750 “ready-to-go” jobs and infrastructure projects in 779 cities nationwide. 1,378 of these projects are related to “Energy Block Grants and Green Jobs” – from street light retrofits in Anchorage, Alaska to a wind turbine to power wastewater treatment in Marbleton, Wyoming. The projects can start early this year and be completed in 2010 if funding is provided.

Best of all, many energy efficiency and renewable energy projects can be financed through performance contracting – meaning they pay for themselves through the energy savings they produce. And every single one of them will help create and sustain jobs, have a positive impact on our economy, help increase our energy independence, lower greenhouse gas emissions and upgrade our nation’s critical public and private infrastructure: the schools where we teach our children and the buildings where we conduct the people’s business.

T minus today and counting! Efficiency now!

Performance Contracting: Green Building Guarantees We Can All Believe In
January 19, 2009

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By Steve Truebner, Johnson Controls

Who thinks global climate change is going to take a nap while world financial markets hibernate? What about the urgent need to reduce our dependence on unreliable foreign energy sources. Think that’s moving to the back burner as the global economy recovers?

Not hardly. Greening existing and new buildings through energy efficiency and on-site renewable energy remains an imperative despite the economic downturn. But for many organizations the challenge is how to fund these projects in the face of declining capital budgets.

Here’s an idea: our old and trusted friend performance contracting. For years, the ongoing need to be good stewards of taxpayers’ dollars has led government agencies and departments at all levels – federal, state and local – to use performance contracting to lower their energy bills and generate their own power without committing capital or exhausting their borrowing ability. Schools, universities, hospitals and companies in virtually every industry have done the same.

Let’s face it: there’s a lot to like about a funding mechanism that absolutely guarantees reductions in energy usage and then uses cost savings from those reductions to fund the energy efficiency and renewable energy measures implemented. Just ask the people of Lafayette, Colorado.

Johnson Controls just completed a $1.2 million project in Lafayette –a city of about 26,000 situated at the base of the Rockies just east of Boulder. The project entailed improvements to nine city facilities including a fire house, senior center and City Hall. Throughout the facilities lighting, HVAC equipment, computer monitors, weather stripping and building automation systems were upgraded. Solar electric and solar thermal systems were added to the recreation center. At the wastewater treatment plant we installed a system to burn waste methane gas to generate heat to help run the facility. Traffic lights around town were replaced with high-efficiency LED fixtures. All in all the improvements help the city avoid generating more than 959 tons of carbon dioxide every year. And that’s not the only “green” benefit.

This project was one of the first in Colorado to be funded through the energy performance contracting program administered by the Governor’s Energy Office. The facility improvements will save more than $100,000 in annual utility and maintenance costs – money that will pay back the cost of the improvements in ten years. And that’s not just a promise; it’s a guarantee. Periodically, we will measure the performance of the energy efficiency measures and report to the city on whether the objectives are being met or not. If they aren’t met, we’ll cut the people of Lafayette a check for the difference.

That’s the level of accountability you get with performance contracting – a level of accountability that the incoming Obama administration should seriously consider as it doles out billions in economic stimulus dollars.

Inheriting a deficit that has already ballooned to $1.2 trillion, the President-Elect said the other day that even after the economy begins to recover, “trillion dollar deficits will be a reality for years to come. But as I said yesterday,” Obama went on to say, “Our problem is not just a deficit of dollars. It’s a deficit of accountability.”

Obama promised that, “Part of our stimulus package is going to involve revamping all federal buildings so that they’re energy efficient.” And he’s appointed a Chief Performance Officer to work with the Cabinet and others to “discuss how they can run their agencies with greater efficiency, transparency and accountability.”

Luckily, that is exactly what performance contracting delivers – efficiency, transparency and accountability to guarantee that the dollars spent actually produce results. And best of all, there’s no waiting, because performance contracting is a tool any organization can use right now.

Click here to learn more.

Naming Names for Energy and the Environment
December 23, 2008

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By Mark Wagner, VP – Government Relations, Johnson Controls

With his inauguration now just four weeks away, Barack Obama continues to send welcome signals that he intends to turn the energy promises of his campaign into the energy policies of his administration.

The president-elect’s picks for his energy and environmental team indicate his apparent determination to dramatically increase the federal government’s focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy while more aggressively attacking the growing threat of climate change.

Carol Browner – tabbed to become Obama’s energy czar – will coordinate energy and environmental issues across more than a dozen federal agencies. Formerly head of the EPA under President Clinton, Browner believes climate change is “the greatest challenge ever faced,” and supports more aggressive limits on greenhouse gas emissions from all sources.

The president-elect’s pick for energy secretary – Steven Chu, currently head of the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory and a Nobel Prize winner – is a strong proponent of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Chu promises to help ensure that the administration’s energy policies and initiatives are backed by sound science.

Lisa Jackson – nominated to head the EPA – served as an enforcement officer in the agency for 16 years. As commissioner of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection, Jackson championed regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Nancy Sutley, who will head the White House Council on Environmental Quality, is currently deputy mayor of Los Angeles for energy and the environment, where she is viewed as an expert on water quality.

And, the naming of Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-CA) as Secretary of Labor puts an expert in green jobs at the head of the Department of Labor. Solis has been a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. She helped push through the Green Jobs Act, which became part of the Energy, Independence and Security Act of 2007.

Obama’s selection of experienced leaders with strong backgrounds in science and regulation are further evidence that he intends to move forward to tackle climate change by increasing limits on emissions and rapidly developing new clean energy technologies.

But in a recent weekly address on YouTube, the president-elect also said, “We will launch a massive effort to make public buildings more energy efficient. Our government now pays the highest energy bills in the world. We need to change that. We need to upgrade our federal buildings by replacing old heating systems and installing efficient light bulbs.”

Obama’s continued emphasis on energy efficiency as the fastest way to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, curb greenhouse gas emissions and create green collar jobs is for me the most encouraging news of all.

Time to Expand Renewable Tax Credit
September 15, 2008

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By Mark Wagner, VP Government Affairs, Johnson Controls, Inc.

In between all the promotions for “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Heroes” and “CSI: Miami” you can’t miss the TV ads calling for more wind and solar energy. The push is on for clean renewable energy projects to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, move towards energy independence and create green jobs for people who implement the technologies.

The reason there’s such an emphasis these days is that Congress has until the end of this year to renew expiring tax credits for alternative energy projects. Now that they’re back in session, it’s time for our elected officials to put aside politics and focus on what’s right for the country.

Ironically, there’s little argument about the advances and benefits of renewable energy. The U.S. wind industry has installed more than 20,000-megawatts worth of power since just 2006, achieving in two years what had previously taken more than two decades, according to the American Wind Energy Association. AWEA calculates that wind now provides 20,152 megawatts of electricity generating capacity in the U.S., producing enough electricity to serve 5.3 million American homes or power a fleet of more than 1 million plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Solar figures are equally astounding. Installed grid-tied solar photovoltaic grew more than 48 percent in 2007 compared to 2006. Not surprisingly, led by expanded capacity of thin-film photo voltaic, silicon manufacturing and other equipment production, manufacturing of solar energy manufacturing grew 74 percent in 2007, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

There’s a lot at stake if Congress doesn’t move forward. A Navigant Consulting study indicates that 116,000 jobs and more than $19 billion in investment in the wind and solar industries are at risk if the renewable energy tax credits are not extended. The states that could lose the most jobs include Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, Minnesota, Washington, Iowa, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and California.

We’re working on dozens of innovative renewable energy projects in many of those states. But as much as the technology keeps improving, without Congressional action, more projects like this just aren’t financially viable.

We hope Congress sees the economic, environmental and social value of renewable energy. Otherwise, we’ll all be watching TV using electricity from an increasingly expensive and unreliable source.

Four-Day Work Week Pays in Energy Savings
July 21, 2008

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Steve Truebner, State Government Solutions, Johnson Controls

In 1932 Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis branded state governments the "laboratories of democracy" in their ability to employ innovative solutions to menacing state challenges. Justice Brandeis would have commended the State of Utah's courageous experiment in mandating the four-day work week in an effort to reduce energy consumption.

States across the country face daunting challenges in delivering suitable services for growing entitlement programs, with dwindling state revenue with which to do so. Additionally, the initiative to reduce carbon emissions through smart economic and environmental practices – best demonstrated at the recent Western Governors Association meeting – is an ongoing trial of state resource management.

This latest measure, led by Governor Jon Huntsman of Utah, has been called extreme by some, but it is a perfect instance of state government serving as a laboratory of democracy and leading by example.

By shifting to a four-day work week, composed of 10-hour days, and closing all non-essential buildings every Friday, the State of Utah and its employees will both conserve energy and save money. According to the state, anticipated annual savings would be approximately three million dollars.

Best of all, state residents shouldn’t notice a big difference in operations. Only those agencies providing critical services, such as public safety and health services will remain open. It is Gov. Huntsman's intention that the state's website will be able to manage any other requests that fall on a Friday.

"We tend to think of state government services circa the 1960s or the 1970s. We forget that, in today's world, at least in our state, we have 800 services that are available online." says Governor Huntsman. "That is, they can access a lot of services right from their home."
The state's main energy savings will come from the closing of these non-essential services buildings. All too often, energy efficiency and climate change is discussed in the context of vehicles. While transportation is responsible for more than a quarter of our total greenhouse gas emissions, buildings that we actually work in contribute nearly half of the emissions, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Other states across the country are also leading by example in the effort to build high performance or green buildings, reduce emissions and create a more sustainable work environment. The use of compact florescent lighting, daylighting techniques, rain water capture systems and the integration of 21st century technology that measures, manages and reports on the energy savings of state buildings are all real examples of energy efficiency measures currently executed by state governments.

There is no doubt that unforeseen challenges will arise as other states consider this new work schedule. Changing daycare schedules, recreational vehicle usage, fatigue from the longer work days, or just obsessively checking emails on your day off are all issues that will be addressed. But that is the nature of an experiment and the risk that goes with leadership.

We should applaud state leaders for their willingness to be more efficient, for leveraging the power of the Internet, and for their stewardship of the environment. Enjoy the long weekend, State of Utah – you've earned it.

Based in Littleton, Colorado, Steve Truebner works in State Government Solutions for Johnson Controls, Inc.

Move over mayors, here come the governors!
July 07, 2008

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Thomas F. Walther, Johnson Controls

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.

Energy Efficiency Forum Looks to a Post-Partisan Future
June 16, 2008

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By Barry Worthington, Executive Director, U.S. Energy Association

It was a moment I’ll never forget at last week’s 19^th 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 20^th 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.

Energy Efficiency Adds to State Coffers
June 09, 2008

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By Thomas F. Walther, Johnson Controls

Watch for state leaders and U.S. presidential candidates to turn to energy efficiency initiatives as a means to stimulating economic growth. A new report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) concludes that energy efficiency can contribute to the growth of state economies, helping to reverse decreasing state tax coffers. The report, “Positive Returns: State Energy-Efficiency Analyses Can Inform U.S. Energy Policy Assessments,” includes a review of 48 state- and regional-level studies on energy efficiency performed over the last 15 years.

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.

Changing the World of Energy Starts with an Individual Showing Leadership
May 05, 2008

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By Darryll Fortune

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 19^th 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.

Sometimes it’s the efforts of dedicated environmentalists, such as 1995 winner William K. Reilly, president of the World Wildlife Fund until taking over as administrator at the EPA in 1989. People who have it in their blood to do the right thing.
Some of the winners are those who have established and nurtured public-private partnerships, such as James Sullivan, Robert F. Ichord, Jr., Jefferson Seabright, J. Brian Atwood and Gordon Weynand from the U.S. Agency for International Development. These are people who understand it takes more than government mandates to establish an energy efficient ethic. It takes initiatives that involve businesses and industries, both in the United States and abroad, to enact large-scale energy efficiency enhancements that provide cost-savings for the betterment of the public: taxpayers, shareholders, community, patients, students and homeowners.
An increasingly larger group is local government leaders, such as former Baltimore Mayor and now Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who are pushing forward legislation in response to cries from their constituents asking them to stop the bleeding from increasing utility prices.

At this year’s Forum, more individuals who have significantly contributed to energy efficiency initiatives will be honored in the following categories: Public Service, Mayor’s, Congressional, Governor’s, International and the prestigious Douglas Decker Lifetime Achievement Award.
Perhaps you want to nominate someone. Just submit names of individuals deserving of the award by filling out a nomination form at www.eeforum.net/awards.html. The deadline is Friday, May 16.

Darryll Fortune is the Director of Global Public Relations for Johnson Controls.

Keeping a Close Eye on Green Collar Jobs – Part Two
March 17, 2008

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Joy Clarke-Holmes

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:

Guaranteed reduction in energy consumption of $1.8 million annually
Captured former waste stream (methane gas) and converted it to a useful application
New facility cost funded by savings
Reduction in emissions of 13 million pounds of CO and 7.7 grams of nitrogen oxide

Most importantly, 25% of the project work done is being done by local certified minority and women-owned contractors. Johnson Controls is actively engaged in training these green collar workers, which is an investment in the city’s future. After they’ve worked on our job, they’ll be ready and able to be hired on the next green initiative. And there are sure to be others in the pipeline.

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.

Keeping a Close Eye on Green Collar Jobs
March 10, 2008

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Joy Clarke-Holmes

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 energy-efficient building, construction, and retrofits industries
the renewable electric power industry
the energy efficient and advanced drive train vehicle industry
the biofuels industry
the deconstruction and materials use industries
the energy efficiency assessment industry serving the residential, commercial, or industrial sectors
manufacturers that produce sustainable products using environmentally sustainable processes and materials

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.

2007 Energy Bill: Beyond cars and light bulbs
December 21, 2007

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2007 Energy Bill: Beyond cars and light bulbs

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:

Federal Buildings – The federal government will designate energy managers to conduct comprehensive energy and water evaluations for each of the 500,000 federal facilities. They’ve also established an Office of High-Performance Green Buildings at the General Services Administration (the world’s largest landlord) to manage and coordinate green building information and activities throughout the federal government. And federal agencies may not lease new space in buildings that have not earned the ENERGY STAR ® label – encouraging the private sector to audit and improve their own facilities.
ESPC – Major improvements were made to the federal Energy Savings Performance Contracting program, including permanent authorization, elimination of a time-consuming approval process for projects and allowing appropriated dollars to be combined with financing to help leverage projects. That means ESPC projects like the phenomenal photovoltaic array developed by Johnson Controls at the Twentynine Palms military base, which is helping secure a reliable energy supply while saving nearly $7 million per year, can continue at federal facilities around the world.
Commercial Buildings – The bill sets a national goal to reduce commercial building energy use and achieve zero-net-energy commercial buildings for commercial buildings that are generally constructed after 2025, retrofitted to 50 percent of all commercial buildings by 2035, and all commercial buildings by 2025. That means that facilities such as the Integrated Design Associates zero-energy and zero-carbon emissions building in San Jose can be replicated all over the country.
Industrial Buildings – There’s now a program to identify and recover industrial waste heat and energy, which will include grants and a registry of sites with economically feasible situations. The government also will promote the use of new materials, processes, technologies and operating techniques to optimize efficiency in energy-intensive businesses.
School Buildings - The bill contains grants to states to provide technical assistance for programs that address environmental issues and include standards for school design, construction and renovation.
Hybrid cars – The legislation has a number of provisions designed to promote the development and manufacturing of advanced batteries for hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles. Included are programs for expanded research and development, demonstration of technology, manufacturing incentives, secondary application and recycling of batteries, and technology education for universities.

Amid these worthwhile programs are two caveats.

We need more promotion for renewable energy. Dropped from the final version of the legislation was a controversial provision to require electric utilities to produce 15 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. The abandoned provision would have also allowed up to four of the 15 percent (approximately 27 percent of the total) to be met through energy efficiency measures. Additionally, extensions for important tax incentives to encourage development of wind and solar energy were also eliminated from the legislation. Congressional leaders indicated they would try to pass these provisions next year in the second session of Congress.
A number of new programs promoting energy efficiency were created. But we need to be sure these noteworthy provisions are funded. With EPAct 2005, many outstanding ideas were left to wither in the wind because Congress didn’t provide the money for them.

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.

Fish or Cut Bait
December 17, 2007

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By Mark P. Chatelain, Ph.D.

In December, 2007, McKinsey & Company and The Conference Board jointly published an Executive Report titled “Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: How Much at What Cost?”

The report is a must-read for anyone following this topic.

Most noteworthy is the statement, “The U.S. will need to develop and implement a strong, coordinated program of economy-wide abatement actions in the near future, if it is to achieve emissions reductions (in bills currently before Congress) for 2030 at the lowest cost to the economy.” The report suggests the abatement program be built on three principal actions:

Stimulate action through a portfolio of strong, coordinated policies to capture GHG reductions efficiently across industry sectors and geographies.
Pursue energy efficiency and negative-cost options quickly.
Accelerate development of a low-carbon energy infrastructure.

In my opinion, these actions make great sense and are worthy of implementation. Yet the stalling by many companies and politicos likely will complicate effective implementation of these rather simple actions. For example, the grass-roots efforts to implement strong GHG reduction legislation are prompting many states and municipalities to enact their own programs for reducing GHGs in the absence of federal legislation or guidance. Many of these emerging programs have numerous similarities. However, each has distinct nuances that are creating inconsistencies between regions, states and even between municipalities within some states – a real nightmare for any multinational company interested in compliance leadership.

To make matters worse, these differences are spreading globally, along with frustration at the lack of a strong coordinated policy. The bickering and appeasement of special interests groups most likely will continue for several years before any basic guidance at the U.S. federal or at an international level ever is achieved.

Although many might see the foot-dragging as positive for developing effective and reasonable GHG regulations, the flip side is that each state and municipality is creating bureaucratic infrastructures that likely will grow with every day that an overarching federal requirement is not implemented.

As these state and municipal bureaucracies expand, it undoubtedly will become increasingly more difficult to undo them and their unique requirements for reducing GHGs. States and municipalities should not be faulted for being proactive. However, those special interest groups and corporations resisting “strong, coordinated policies to capture GHG reductions efficiently across industry sectors and geographies” should wake up to the cold reality of the problems they are incubating. It is time to fish – not cut bait.

Journalists Optimistic on Chances for an Energy Bill
October 17, 2007

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By Steve Thomas

One of the impressions I brought back from the recent Society of Environmental Journalists conference at Stanford was that journalists are very optimistic that the United States House and Senate will be able to reconcile their differences and present President Bush with an energy bill. They seemed to think this would happen sooner, rather than later, and gave credit to the very high levels of concern in the country over global warming and the environment. The vast majority – if not all the journalists I talked to – believe that the science is settled and unassailable when it comes to global warming and they feel the public feels the same way. So it makes sense to try to do something about it.

Some of the optimism was apparent in a session called “Californians on the Front Lines: The Shifting Politics of the Environment.” This session was moderated by Juliet Eilperin of the Washington Post and participants on the panel included Congressman Jay Inslee of Washington State, Fabian Nunez, speaker of the California Assembly, Dorothy Rothrock from the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, Stuart Leavenworth of the Sacramento Bee and Andrew Light of the University of Washington.

While there were a variety of views represented on the panel, the bottom line was a grudging acknowledgement that California probably cannot continue to go it alone forever when it comes to pursuing serious energy efficiency goals. They are going to need some help from Washington, D.C. and they are going to need more states to start to take serious steps to address climate change and the environment if they are going to stay competitive long term. Serious national energy efficiency goals, combined with incentives for renewable energy and some type of cap and trade system for carbon emissions would be a big step in the right direction.

My sense is that journalists were willing to accept some compromises in order to get most of what people think we need now – rather than waiting and hoping for a different administration to spur things on in a couple of years. In other words, there are enough areas of overlap between the two bills passed by the House and the Senate to get something worthwhile in the short term – and there’s too much public pressure for the politicians to sit by doing nothing in Washington.

Public Policy Blog
June 05, 2007

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Public Policy category under construction. Content coming soon.