I thought this was interesting article that appeared awhile ago on the Inspired Economist site - we are finding that the headline is just so true
Energy Efficiency is THE Business Opportunity for 2009
Written by Leah Edwards
OK, that headline is a bold statement, but that was certainly my take-away from an event organised by the California Cleantech Open business plan competition. The event was called a “Green Building Symposium“, and while there were booths manned by winners in this year’s competition who won for building materials and renewable energy solutions, the topic of the speakers and a panel discussion was energy efficiency.
The first keynote address was given by Gil Sperling, from the Federal Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy, who announced the signing of a memo of understanding with the California PUC to align programs in support of energy efficiency programs.
The second keynote address was given by Dian Gruenich, Commissioner, California Public Utility Commission (CPUC), who described a year-long process that resulted in a strategy plan. The plan’s goals include requiring all new residential construction in California to be zero net energy efficient by 2020 and for all new commercial construction to be zero net energy efficient by 2030. Read that, opportunities for green building materials, smart meters and efficient cooling systems, better windows and insulation, etc.
Not only do federal and state agencies provide funding for new technologies (including sponsoring the Cleantech Open), but they will also be increasing public education campaigns and rebate/incentive programs to buy energy efficient materials and technology.
And don’t worry about funding going away for these programs due to the California state budget crisis. Check your utility bill. We’re all paying for these programs. If you are in another state, you should be benefiting too because Sperling, who is very new to the DOE, says that his mandate is to “revolutionize energy efficiency programs”.
There is a reason that the panel on “green building materials” focused so much on energy efficiency. Healthy air from reducing off-gassing materials and allergens and molds is a concern, but for CO2 and energy demand reduction, energy is the big lever to pull. Construction makes up 12 percent of energy use in California and operating buildings takes up 40 percent.
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