TODO: Figure out what the title should be

US Department of Energy Green Button Program Spurs Smart Apps

05.24.2012 - 09:00AM

The winners of the US Department of Energy's “Apps for Energy” Challenge were announced this week, and New York based VELObill by Zerofootprint, Inc. won 3^rd place as the leading app for utility bill visualization. As of today, it is also the lead contender for the popular vote category. There is still time to cast your Public Vote for VELObill through May 31.

Software developers were invited to submit web and mobile apps to help consumers save energy in coordination with the US Department of Energy’s Green Button Challenge, launched in January. The program first urged utilities and energy service providers to standardize energy usage data for their customers in a simple downloadable format, known as a “Green Button.” The hope was that easy access to energy usage would enable consumers to manage their consumption and make more informed decisions. It’s a good example of American ingenuity. To date, energy utilities that signed up for the Green Button serve over 30 million US homes.

Green Button’s energy data formatting sparked a wave of creativity among futurists, visionaries and “App” developers that is quickly changing how Americans think about energy. For Dr. Ron Dembo, CEO and Chief Architect of American software company Zerofootprint, this translates to reducing our carbon footprint. “It is time for an “occupy energy” movement, so where better to start than to know and understand what we use?” said Dembo, who authored VELObill. “By standardizing our energy data, Green Button is revolutionizing an antiquated industry and putting consumers in the driver’s seat.”

Karen Austin, PG&E’s chief information officer, was among the panel of experts who picked the winning energy apps in the US Department of Energy’s Apps for Energy competition. “VELObill makes it easy and rewarding to use Green Button data,” she said. “With just a few clicks, consumers can view their utility usage, measure whether it is high or low, compare it to that of their peers and examine ways to save money.

Test drive VELObill and cast your Public Vote for “Best Energy App”

Zerofootprint developed VELObill: Utility Bill of the Future, specifically for Green Button application. Beyond its engaging, user-friendly interface, a unique feature of VELObill is its cross-platform, which combines Green Button data with other sources allowing peer-to-peer benchmarking and healthy competition. You get your entire energy picture – how much you spent on gas, water and electricity, whether it is up or down from last period, how you compare to your peers and what you could save – all in 30 seconds. Then, it goes a step further to show how to save, who can provide help, and then offers tools to manage your plan of action. More about VELObill: Utility Bill of the Future, from Zerofootprint.

The company invites the public to test drive VELObill, share your comments on Twitter and cast your Public Vote by May 31.

VELObill Test Drive directions:

Go to http://greenbutton.sit.zfp.ca:8080/results/dashboard. Click on "Measure Me" in the lower left nav. Once you arrive, create a demo location in the blue panel on the left. Enter this profile info:

Location Name: My House
ZIP Code: 94920
Peer Group: My Friends
Size: 2000 Sq. Ft.
Occupants: 2
Heating Type: Electricity
Water Heating Type: Fuel

Submit an email and invent a password. Lastly, fill in the following utility account information:

Utility Provider: Pacific Gas and Electric
Utility Number: 9594300521-8
Utility Password: Footprint

For more information, please contact: Zerofootprint Inc., 817 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10003.

Video: Sales, Profit, Consumer Cost Impacts of New 54.5 MPG Standards

05.02.2012 - 03:41PM

A new video explains the profits, sales and consumer cost impacts of the proposed 54.5-MPG federal fuel economy standards, which are set to be finalized this summer. Under the proposed standards, the average new vehicle in 2025 will achieve roughly twice the fuel economy than the average vehicle on sale today.

In the new video, top automotive experts explain:

Why the automotive industry will likely earn an extra $4.76 billion in 2020 under the standards and see a four percent uptick in sales
Why American automakers will likely enjoy the biggest percentage increase in profits (six percent), pulling in an extra $2.44 billion dollars in 2020 under the standards
How the standards will impact consumers
What technologies will be used to meet the standards

These findings are contained in a new report, “Fuel Economy Focus: Perspectives on 2020 Industry Implications” - produced by Citi Investment Research in partnership with Ceres.

Link to video: https://vimeo.com/40543772

The video, which is available for uplink on websites and blogs, features:

Walter McManus, research professor in the School of Business Administration at Oakland University, co-author of the Citi Investment Research report, “Fuel Economy Focus: Perspectives on 2020 Industry Implications”
Alan Baum, principal for Baum and Associates, co-author of the Citi Investment Research report
Dan Meszler, principal researcher for Meszler Engineering Services, co-author of the Citi Investment Research report
Carol Lee Rawn, Ceres Transportation Program director, co-author of the Citi Investment Research report

For technical assistance in uploading the video revealing the findings of Fuel Economy Focus: Perspectives on 2020 Industry Implications, please contact Brian Sant at sant@ceres.org.

Legrand | Ortronics Continues to Innovate With EZ Patch: a Revolution in Patch Cord Dispensing

04.19.2012 - 09:44AM

(Marketwire) - Legrand | Ortronics, a global leader in high performance network infrastructure solutions, is proud to introduce EZ Patch, a new, environmentally friendly product innovation for dispensing patch cords. The patent pending patch cord management solution is designed to dispense cords quickly and easily, reducing installation time and waste and improving staging area organization. There are no bags to open, tie wraps to undo or straightening necessary.

EZ Patch uses an innovative clip to connect patch cords together, allowing cords to be distributed over an internal cardboard reel and fed through the front box opening. The corrugated cardboard box and internal dispensing reel are made from 100% recyclable materials, and the clip is made from 25% regrind plastic. Each of these components is fully recyclable after use, making the EZ Patch solution a contributor towards LEED certification.

The EZ Patch solution contains Ortronics^® Clarity^® 6 or 5E patch cords in a variety of standard lengths and colors. Clarity 6A patch cords will be available soon. All Clarity cords are factory tested to TIA/EIA 568C.2 component specifications for Category 6a, 6 and 5e.

Legrand | Ortronics continues their commitment to sustainable business practices as part of their corporate strategy, setting an example of best practices for environmentally responsible corporate behavior. At Legrand | Ortronics eco-friendly product designs take into account the total energy consumption, the impact on the carbon footprint and the choice of materials used during production. The manufacturing and distribution of our products reflect the Legrand | Ortronics core value of continuous improvement and a commitment to a more sustainable product portfolio.

To watch our video and learn more about the EZ Patch solution visit http://www.legrand.us/ezpatch.

Background for Editors

Legrand | Ortronics (www.legrand.us/ortronics), headquartered in New London, Connecticut, USA, is a global leader in high performance network infrastructure solutions, offering a complete range of Category 5e, 6 and 6a copper, fiber optics and Layer Zero^® physical support solutions, including Cablofil^® wire mesh cable tray and Wiremold^® pathways.

About Legrand

Legrand is the global specialist in products and systems for electrical installations and information networks where people live and work. Its comprehensive offering of solutions for use in commercial, industrial and residential markets makes it a benchmark for suppliers worldwide. Innovation for a steady flow of new products with high added value is a prime vector for growth. Legrand reported sales of $5.7 billion in 2010. Legrand has a strong presence in the North American market, with a portfolio of products that includes Cablofil, Electrorack, On-Q, Ortronics, Pass & Seymour, Vantage, Watt Stopper and Wiremold. The company is listed as (PARIS: LR) on NYSE Euronext and is a component stock of indexes including the SBF120, FTSE4Good, MSCI World and ASPI. In 2010, Legrand was added to the DJSI as well (ISIN code FR0010307819). www.legrand.us

Porter Airlines Operates Bombardier Q400 Aircraft in Canada's First Biofuel-Powered Revenue Flight

04.17.2012 - 01:37PM

Program funded by the key partners and by Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) Program through GARDN

(Marketwire) -- Porter Airlines today successfully conducted the first biofuel-powered revenue flight in Canada. In the successful conclusion to a test program that was launched in 2010, the airline flew one of its Bombardier Q400 turboprops from its base at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Ottawa using a 50/50 blend of biofuel and Jet A1 fuel in one of its engines.

The fuel was certified to the new American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D7566/D1655 standard and the biofuel used was derived from the oilseed crops, Camelina sativa(i) (49 per cent) and Brassica carinata(i) (one per cent). The aircraft's other engine was powered by Jet A1 fuel. The flight included passengers making their way to Ottawa for business and pleasure, representatives from the biofuel test program's partnering organizations and media.

This is the final step in a two-year project whose key members are Targeted Growth, Bombardier Aerospace, Pratt and Whitney Canada, the manufacturer of the PW150A engines that power the Q400 aircraft, and Porter Airlines. Funding for the biofuel test program was provided by the key partners, as well as by Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) through the Green Aviation Research & Development Network (GARDN).

Additional support to the program was provided by Agrisoma Biosciences Inc., which grew the carinata and produced the carinata bio-oil; Sustainable Oils, which crushed the camelina to make the camelina bio-oil; Honeywell UOP, which converted the bio-oils into the bio-derived jet fuel to meet the D7566 standard; and SkyNRG who were responsible for logistics and blending meeting the D1655 specification.

"In a fitting tribute to Earth Day 2012, which is now less than a week away, we are delighted that one of our Bombardier Q400 turboprops has become the first aircraft to successfully conduct a biofuel-powered revenue flight in Canada," said Robert Deluce, President and Chief Executive Officer, Porter Airlines. "The use of biofuels promises to significantly reduce the level of emissions produced by commercial aircraft worldwide, and Porter is honoured to have contributed to this test program in Canada."

"The success of this biofuel test program, which utilized a Bombardier Q400 aircraft, speaks volumes about the ability of the aviation and other communities to work together towards producing a more sustainable aviation industry," said Helene V. Gagnon, Vice President, Public Affairs, Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, Bombardier Aerospace. "But that's not the only milestone achieved today. This is the first time that a revenue flight in Canada was powered by biofuel, so we've achieved a first for Canada. "

"When this biofuel project was submitted in October 2010, the Private Sector Advisory Board, a strategic body comprised of respected Canadian industry leaders, approved it with complete confidence and praised it very high value added, world-class experts and very good focus," said Sylvain Cofsky, Executive Director of GARDN. "Eighteen months later, today's flight proves they were right and I am extremely proud of GARDN's contribution to this very promising success in the field of aviation."

"We are firmly committed to ensuring that our products are designed, produced and operated while minimizing environmental impacts throughout their life cycle, outperforming the most stringent ICAO standards," said Daniel Breitman, Vice President, Engine Development Programs, Pratt & Whitney Canada. "We have implemented new technologies to significantly reduce fuel consumption, environmental emissions and engine noise in our latest generation of engines and we are developing cutting-edge green technologies for the future, to help the aerospace industry reach its commitment of reducing its overall footprint."

"Targeted Growth was very pleased to be involved in this project," said Robert Woods, president, Targeted Growth. "Partnerships such as this one help demonstrate market confidence that spurs the critical research and development required to advance feedstock productivity."

On February 9, 2012, in preparation for Porter's revenue flight, Bombardier flew a Q400 turboprop test aircraft on the ASTM D7566/D1655 bio-derived jet fuel. This was the first such biofuel-powered test flight in Canada.

About Q400 aircraft

The Q400 turboprop airliner, which is built at Bombardier's Toronto, Ontario facility, is the advanced successor to Bombardier's Dash 8/Q-Series family of aircraft. Optimized for short-haul operations, the "comfortably greener," 70- to 80-seat Q400 aircraft is a large, fast, quiet and fuel-efficient turboprop. It provides an ideal balance of passenger comfort and operating economics with a reduced environmental footprint.

Setting new environmental standards, the Q400 aircraft uses 30 to 40 per cent less fuel and produces 30 to 40 per cent fewer emissions on routes where it has replaced similar-capacity, older jets. Overall, the Q400 aircraft is 15 decibels quieter than ICAO Chapter 4 noise standards; raising the bar for the entire industry.

More than 380 Q400 aircraft are in service with approximately 40 operators in 30 countries, on six continents. These aircraft have transported more than 177 million passengers.

About Bombardier

A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, were $18.3 billion, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

About GARDN

GARDN - the Green Aviation Research and Development Network is a business-led Network of Centres of Excellence. Its mission is to promote aerospace technologies aimed at the protection of the environment. The seven themes of research targeted by GARDN are: noise and source emissions reduction, materials and manufacturing processes, airport and aircraft operations, alternative fuels and product lifecycle management. GARDN's activities are in support of the competitive excellence of Canadian aerospace products and services, the economic success of the member companies as well as the development and training of highly qualified personnel. www.gardn.org

About Porter Airlines

Founded in 2006, Porter Airlines has revolutionized short-haul flying with a warm and effortless approach to hospitality and restoring glamour and refinement to air travel. An Official 4 Star Airline(R) in the World Airline Star Rating(R) by Skytrax, and rated second in the world in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers Choice Awards Top Small Airlines category, Porter is committed to providing a premium travel experience. Complimentary amenities include luxurious airport lounges, Starbucks coffee, premium snacks, and wine or beer onboard.

The airline currently offers flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Halifax, St. John's, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Windsor, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston (Logan), Washington, D.C., and has seasonal flights to Mt. Tremblant, Que., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Burlington, Vt. Visit www.flyporter.com or call (888) 619-8622 for more information.

About Pratt & Whitney Canada

Founded in 1928, and a global leader in aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is shaping the future of business aviation with dependable, high-technology engines. Every second, a P&WC-powered aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in the world. P&WC's engines, with close to 600 million hours in the air, are the industry benchmark for innovative design, dispatch reliability, operating economics and easy maintenance. P&WC is firmly committed to ensuring that its products are designed, produced and operated while minimizing environmental impacts throughout their life cycle.

There are currently more than 49,000 P&WC engines in service on more than 28,000 aircraft operated by some 10,200 operators in 200 countries. Based in Longueuil, Quebec (Canada), P&WC is a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE: UTX). UTC is a diversified company providing high-technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries. News and information are available at www.pwc.ca.

About Targeted Growth

Targeted Growth was founded over a decade ago with a goal of developing technologies that would increase the productivity of existing farmland and improving novel crops for use on marginal land. Today, Targeted Growth is a global leader in bioscience, having developed technologies that both increase seed size and yield in commercial food crops and biofuel feedstocks. The company has strategic partnerships with leading researchers and agribusinesses around the world. More information is available at www.targetedgrowth.com.

Notes to editors

Images of Porter Airlines Q400 aircraft are available in the press releases section at: www.bombardier.com.

Photos and a video from today's event will be available at www.flickr.com/bombardieraerospace and http://www.youtube.com/bombardiervideos.

Follow @Bombardier_Aero on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Aerospace.

(i)Camelina sativa and Brassica carinata are members of the family of flowering plants known as the Brassicaceae. The Brassicaceae also include well-known plants such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and turnips.

Bombardier, Dash 8, NextGen, Q400 and Q-Series are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

First-Ever Digital Media Platform Devoted to Clean Technology Launched

04.17.2012 - 08:30AM

Future360, the first-ever digital media platform dedicated exclusively to cleantech innovation, has launched at www.future360.tv. Hosted by acclaimed TV personality Sarah Backhouse, the platform’s premium video content covers the cleantech spectrum including energy, water, buildings, transportation, smart cities and more.

Cleantech thought leaders such as Henrik Fisker of Fisker Automotive, and Carlos Coe of Xtreme Power, as well as green activists such as actor and HBO star, Wendell Pierce, are featured in segments of 5 minutes or less. The platform’s topic coverage is as broad as its geographic coverage– which traverses the world, from Silicon Valley to Munich-- and uncovers cutting-edge clean technologies and innovative business models that are transforming the way we live, work, commute and power a more sustainable future.

Backhouse, who has worked for a diverse array of broadcasters including: CNBC, BBC, PBS, Discovery Channel and Planet Green, and presented with Al Gore on 24 Hours of Reality, said “after many years working as a TV host and producer I wanted to use my talent for storytelling and apply it to an area with the greatest potential to make a significant positive impact on the planet. This area was clean technology. It helps that I’m consumed by the subject and I was anxious to find a way to make my passion my profession.”

Welcome to Future360 video clip: Showcasing the world's cutting-edge cleantech innovation

Future360 was created to champion cleantech innovation by visually and simply communicating how these new, and often complicated, technologies work, why they are important, their applications and impact on the future. “We at Future360 believe new, innovative technologies can perform better than conventional ones, at less cost, while conserving precious resources,” said Ms. Backhouse. “I want to raise the visibility of the incredible work that’s happening in this sector. Video is the perfect medium to illustrate this. It allows us to more effectively communicate how sophisticated technologies work, and the profound impact they have on the planet. We want our content to engage and excite industry stakeholders and demystify cleantech for consumers.

As part of its redesign, the site is now offering exclusive sponsorship opportunities to corporations and other organizations seeking to increase brand awareness in the cleantech space or promote their cleantech initiatives. With an aggregate 25 million views per month (combined with partner sites), Future360 sponsorships are ideal for corporations seeking to reach a highly targeted audience of cleantech-focused private equity and VC firms, business leaders, early adopters, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Over the next year, Future360 plans to explore strategic partnerships and alliances with government, non-profit and business, and expand its content geared to consumers.

For more information on Future360, please visit: www.future360.tv

For more information on Sarah Backhouse, please visit: www.sarahbackhouse.com

BASF to Acquire Merck's Electrolytes

03.02.2012 - 05:57PM

BASF will acquire the electrolytes business for high-performance batteries from German Chemical and Pharmaceutical Company Merck. The companies have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction.

Another step in purposeful and swift expansion of electrolytes portfolio for high-performance batteries
Expertise enhanced for automotive and battery manufacturers in Europe

The acquisition comprises the technologies and products for enhancing battery performance that Merck has developed, patented and brought to market. These include the complete line of finished electrolyte formulations which are marketed under the Selectilyte® brand. Also included is a variety of additives for electrolytes used to produce lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The transaction also covers Merck’s research portfolio with respect to novel electrolytes and additives. In this way BASF is strengthening its LIB electrolytes business by adding innovative solutions for its customers.

"This acquisition enhances the expertise we offer to automotive and battery manufacturers around the world. We emphasize again our goal of positioning BASF as a solution-oriented partner to battery manufacturers in this dynamic market,” said Dr. Andreas Kreimeyer, Member of the Board of Executive Directors and BASF’s Research Executive Director, and added, "The electrolyte portfolio developed by Merck and their established market channels will provide additional impetus to our efforts to develop into a reliable supplier of electrolyte formulations offering innovative and customized solutions for battery manufacturers."

"Our successful electrolytes business has excellent prospects for the future within BASF. We are pleased to say that the customers and development partners of Merck will have a reliable and very innovative new supplier in BASF – a supplier who will continue to promote the future topic of electromobility powerfully," said Dr. Klaus Bofinger, who leads Merck’s unit Advanced Technologies, which included the divested business.

Electrolytes are complex formulations that ensure the transport of electric charge inside the battery. High-quality electrolytes can provide essential prerequisites for raising battery performance. In May 2011 BASF announced the formation of a global electrolytes team to develop and sell high-quality electrolyte formulations for battery manufacturers. This team, initially formed in the Intermediates division of BASF, will be integrated into the new "Battery Materials" business unit within BASF’s Catalysts division in the course of 2012.

BASF: Strong commitment to improving battery materials

Batteries are the key technology for electromobility of the future. BASF intends to invest a three-digit million euro sum in researching, developing and producing advanced battery materials over the next five years as announced in 2011. As well as developing materials for lithium-ion batteries, BASF is also researching future battery concepts such as lithium-sulfur or lithium-air. With its research activities BASF is substantially contributing to making electric cars affordable, environment-friendly and sustainable. “For this we need batteries and further innovative components that provide a greater driving range with lower cost,” Kreimeyer emphasized.

Follow this link for more about BASF’s battery activities: http://www.battery-solutions.basf.com/p02/USWeb-internet/battery_solutions/en_GB/.

About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of 2010. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN).

Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at or in the Social Media Newsroom.

Prepay Energy’s Pathway to Consumer Satisfaction and Benefits

02.29.2012 - 10:45AM

EcoAlign, a strategic marketing agency in the energy sector, released the findings today of a consumer survey testing customer awareness and acceptance of prepay electricity offerings in Texas and Arizona, the two states with the most consumers currently on prepay electricity plans. Nine hundred consumers in those two states responded to the survey conducted in November 2011.

“While still a nascent offering, prepay electricity shows promise for high satisfaction among the consumers that choose to use it,” stated Cindy O’Dwyer, Vice President of DEFG EcoAlign and project lead for the Prepay Energy Working Group. “The survey results show consumers in Texas and Arizona strongly associate prepay electricity with increased control and management, which day-to-day translates to greater flexibility and the potential to use less energy and save money. Research shows that convenience and control are leading drivers for customer satisfaction with prepay services.”

The top line findings from EcoPinion No. 14 include:

The top reasons consumers would enroll in a prepay electric service plan are: “control over energy costs and budget” (46 percent), “prefer to pay for energy as you use it” (37 percent), and “want to reduce energy use and monitor closely” (32 percent)
Consumers think the most important features of a prepay electric service plan are: “using less energy and saving money” (33 percent), “avoiding fees” (25 percent) and “helps manage my budget better” (24 percent)
When asked for one word to describe prepay electric service, “convenient” was mentioned the most by far. Other terms mentioned at lower levels were: “interesting,” “easy,” and “savings”
When asked for one word to describe the biggest concern regarding prepay electric service, the most frequently-mentioned were: “cost,” “price,” “overpaying,” and “expensive.”
When asked to rate their concerns, consumers pointed to: “service disconnect/electricity going off when my prepay account balance runs out” (53 percent), “price/higher rates” (48 percent), “fees associated with prepay” (43 percent), “expiration of credits over time” (37 percent), “knowledge/awareness of my account status” (35 percent)

EcoAlign is making the report available to the public at no charge on its website: www.ecoalign.com

EcoAlign is the energy and environment marketing agency and a wholly-owned affiliate of DEFG LLC.

AGRION/Green Spaces NY Cleantech Pitch Competition

02.23.2012 - 04:24PM

AGRION, the international network of energy and cleantech professionals, and Green Spaces, the coworking community for environmental and social entrepreneurs, have partnered to create a lively, fun, cleantech-focused pitch competition with some great rewards. The prize will be a coveted slot to present your business to an audience of investors and cleantech professionals at the Wall Street Green Summit, as well as a complimentary ticket to Day 2 of New York's premier energy and environmental finance event ($1500+ value). AGRION will also throw in a few membership perks to winners, offering exposure to a network of over 200,000 cleantech and energy professionals worldwide.

An expert panel of judges will slice and dice the pitchers through three rounds while audience members enjoy the show and have a chance to make their preferences known.

Mingling and refreshments available to all afterward.

Tickets to attend can be purchased here. Cleantech startups that want to pitch should buy a ticket and fill out this questionaire to apply. Deadline for startups to apply is March 6th.

New AT&T Eco-Rating System to Help Consumers Learn About Environmental Features of Mobile Devices

02.23.2012 - 01:02PM

(Marketwire) - People eager to check out the newest, fastest and coolest mobile handset devices will soon be able to learn about its environmental features too.

That's because a new eco-rating system is planned for launch later this year by AT&T*, which developed the system in collaboration with BSR, a global business network and consultancy focused on sustainability. Consumers will find AT&T eco-ratings on simple, easy-to-read-and-understand labels appearing on AT&T-branded mobile devices, once they are implemented in a few months.

The new system, which sets an example for industry-wide sustainability efforts, is a direct response to customer wants and needs. According to a Deloitte study** on consumer trends in the purchase of sustainable products, 54 percent of surveyed shoppers consider sustainability to be one of their decision making factors.

AT&T's eco-rating system will cover attributes such as: environmentally preferable materials, energy efficiency, responsible end-of-life treatment and environmentally-responsible manufacturing. In assigning ratings, device manufacturers will submit an assessment of each device to determine how many of 15 key criteria are met. These criteria cover everything from the percentage of recycled metals used in the device, to restriction of compounds such as lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel and antimony trioxide/antimony compounds. The overall rating represents the composite score of these environmental attributes.

AT&T plans to add the ratings icon to in-store collateral later this year. Consumers will also be able to visit a website to obtain detailed information about how AT&T and BSR devised the ratings, learn more about what makes up the overall sustainability scale for mobile devices and see available products.

AT&T plans to evolve the rating system as technological innovations, industry norms and sustainability needs change.

"Increasingly, consumers are mindful of a product's impact on the environment. We are excited to work with leading third-party organizations like BSR and our suppliers to help make it easier for our customers to learn about the environmental impact of products they plan to purchase," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility. "Our new eco-rating system will make it easier for our customers to make more informed purchasing decisions."

"At BSR, we work hand-in-hand with companies looking to develop innovative business strategies to help create a more just and sustainable world," said Vijay Kanal, BSR's Director, Information and Communications Technology Practice. "This eco-rating system, which we worked with AT&T to develop, should not only have broad consumer impact, it should help accelerate the integration of sustainable business practices across the entire mobile device industry."

AT&T is committed to integrating sustainable business practices across its business and was recently added to Corporate Responsibility Magazine's 12^th Annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens List. AT&T was also included in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI). Visit www.att.com/csr to learn more about sustainability at AT&T. Also visit www.att.com/csr to download the 2010 AT&T Sustainability Report. To watch a video about the rating system, please click here.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

**2009 Deloitte study, "Finding the green in today's shoppers: Sustainability trends and new shopper insights"

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates -- AT&T operating companies -- are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse^® and AT&T DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

About BSR

BSR works with its global network of nearly 300 member companies to build a just and sustainable world. From its offices in Asia, Europe, and North and South America, BSR develops sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. Visit www.bsr.org for more information about BSR's more than 20 years of leadership in sustainability.

America's Major Consumer Brands, including Nike, Starbucks and Campbell Soup, Call on Congress to Extend Wind Energy Tax Credit

02.15.2012 - 11:06AM

Staples, Starbucks, Nike, Levi Strauss & Co., Campbell Soup, Yahoo and other large corporate purchasers of renewable energy delivered a letter today to Congressional leadership asking for an extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind power – scheduled to expire in December 2012.

The letter calls on Congress to include an extension of the PTC in this week’s payroll tax-cut extension legislation. A ‘no’ vote on the extension will immediately threaten over 400 wind manufacturing facilities in 43 states that risk layoffs and shutdowns for lack of orders.

The letter was signed by 15 companies, many of them members of Business for Innovative Climate & Clean Energy (BICEP). Some of the companies signing the letter, including Starbucks and Staples, get over half of their US electricity from wind and other renewable energy sources.

“The PTC has enabled the wind industry to slash wind energy costs – 90 percent since 1980 – a big reason why companies like ours are buying increasing amounts of wind energy,” the letter states. “Failure to extend the PTC for wind would tax our companies and thousands of others like us that purchase significant amounts renewable energy and hurt our bottom line at a time when the economy is struggling to recover.”

The PTC provides a tax credit of 2.2 cents per megawatt hour of generated electricity for wind developers, which translates to lower delivered cost of the resource. Since the PTC was enacted seven years ago, wind power capacity has increased by 47,000 megawatts, a seven-fold increase.

The companies warned Congress that “eliminating the PTC will sharply increase prices for wind energy and particularly affect the many large and influential companies that are already committed to buying and using wind energy.“

It will also shut down much of a thriving U.S. manufacturing sector, one of the fastest-growing sources of factory jobs even in the depths of the economic slowdown.

Corporate leaders across diverse industries are rapidly increasing their use of wind energy. Wind energy serves to bring down the marginal costs for electric power, enabling large power purchasers to incorporate wind power into their energy portfolios at a competitive price, making them better prepared to handle volatility in the market.

“We’re proud to be one of the nation’s largest purchasers of American wind energy,” said Ben Packard, VP Global Responsibility at Starbucks. “We’re committed to renewable energy. Our goal is to make renewables account for 100 percent of our energy portfolio in the next two years.”

“Wind producers, business customers, investors – even conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats – all agree: the PTC for wind power is working,” said Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, which coordinates the business network, Business for Innovative Climate & Clean Energy (BICEP). www.ceres.org/bicep “America is on the verge of establishing a world-leading wind industry that will give U.S. companies a powerful and permanent competitive advantage: a cheap, clean, and inexhaustible supply of electricity that is immune to global fuel price shocks and the international crises that cause them.”

The Production Tax Credit for wind has been in place without interruption since 2005 and has led to 47 GW of new wind capacity, equal to about 94 power plants, spurring nearly $70 billion in private investment, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Largely owing to the PTC, wind energy accounted for 35% of new electrical generation capacity installed in the past four years, and now supplies 20% of electricity needs in states like Iowa and South Dakota. Nationwide the wind energy industry supplies close to 4% of electricity nationwide and on track so far to make 20% of all of America’s electricity by the year 2030, as projected by the George W. Bush administration.

The deadline for including an extension of the wind PTC in comprehensive payroll tax cut legislation is midnight February 29^th, 2012, but action could come as soon as tomorrow as House and Senate conferees wrestle with the details.

ABOUT BUSINESS FOR INNOVATIVE CLIMATE AND ENERGY POLICY (BICEP)

BICEP is an advocacy coalition of businesses committed to working with policy makers to pass meaningful energy and climate legislation enabling a rapid transition to a low-carbon, 21st century economy – an economy that will create new jobs and stimulate economic growth while stabilizing our planet’s fragile climate. BICEP is a project of Ceres. www.ceres.org/bicep

ABOUT CERES

Ceres is an advocate for sustainability leadership. It leads a national coalition of major investors, environmental organizations and other public interest groups working with companies to address sustainability challenges such as global climate change and water scarcity. Its mission is integrating sustainability into day-to-day business practices for the health of the planet and its people. www.ceres.org

Varian Medical Systems Uses SAP to Support Sustainability and Compliance With REACH and RoHS

01.26.2012 - 01:12PM

With increasing public scrutiny and regulations regarding product safety and sustainability, manufacturers are taking the initiative to ensure they are protecting the health of both their consumers and the environment. Varian Medical Systems, a leading manufacturer of medical devices, is one such company that embarked on a mission to understand the chemical composition of its products, enabling it to redesign its components and products to reduce or eliminate hazardous substances and comply with regulations such as RoHS and REACH. The company turned to SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) to embed compliance across its business processes and achieve this more quickly, effectively and profitably.

Using the SAP® Environment, Health, and Safety Management (SAP EHS Management) application with product compliance functionality and the SAP® Product Life Cycle Management (SAP PLM) application, Varian was able to protect revenue from RoHS-related charges, reduce the efforts involved to re-design its components and re-engineer its products at a much faster pace.

Touching hundreds of thousands of lives each year, Varian is a $2.6 billion company that creates medical devices, software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiosurgery, and X-ray imaging for both medical and industrial purposes. In 2010 Varian introduced a new mandate for corporate social responsibility, which included far-reaching sustainability goals. In addition, the company faced increasingly strict legislation restricting the types of materials and chemicals contained in its equipment, particularly from the RoHS directive specific to medical devices and the REACH legislation that governs products entering the European Union.

Since Varian derives approximately 30 percent of its business from sales to European Union countries, it worked with SAP to reduce risk that might occur due to non-compliance with REACH regulations. Additionally, with new RoHS regulations governing medical device manufacturers coming into effect by July 2014, Varian made it a priority to re-engineer its products to help ensure that they were created with a dual focus on sustainability and compliance.

To tackle these complex challenges, Varian is using SAP EHS Management with product compliance functionality and SAP PLM. The solutions help the company mitigate risks, achieve considerable return on investment (ROI) and reduce the time to implement engineering changes from 18 to five days within the next 12 months. Using SAP solutions, Varian was able to more quickly re-engineer its products for compliance, saving money annually in RoHS-related charges alone. Many aspects of the product compliance process were made more efficient. For example, Varian now avoids late-cycle changes because compliance checks are embedded into the design process. Additionally, it is much faster and easier to adjust administrative functions to any corresponding engineering change.

“With sustainability solutions from SAP, Varian has established a platform that allows us to collect and analyze product information from within Varian and from our supply chain, determine compliance status and design for compliance at a faster pace,” said Snehashish Sarkar, senior manager, Enterprise, Varian Medical Systems. “RoHS and REACH regulations have definitely given an impetus to our sustainability efforts. Based on our philosophy, Varian not only wants to save lives but demonstrate its commitment to social and environmental causes. With SAP we have both furthered our corporate social responsibility goals and ensured that we can continue to do business as usual in the European Union beyond 2014.”

The majority of Varian’s important master data already resides in SAP systems, and the company uses SAP® Business Suite as its platform for manufacturing, procurement and sales. Selecting SAP solutions for sustainability and PLM was a natural choice. Another key differentiator for Varian was that by using SAP solutions across the board, it was able to more easily embed product compliance controls across company business processes. For example, many of Varian’s customers want to understand the environmental and compliance status of the products they intend to buy from a RoHS point of view before they sign the purchase order. With integration between the SAP product compliance solution and Varian’s SAP application for sales order management, the company is now able to do a compliance analysis and report immediately at the quotation stage.

“We believe that business can be equally committed to both sustainability and profitability, and our products are designed to make that possible,” said Peter Graf, chief sustainability officer, SAP. “Companies like Varian are increasingly dedicated to a sustainable supply chain and products, for both environmental and financial reasons. Varian shows how one can achieve both goals with significant cost savings and return on investment.”

For more information, visit the SAP Newsroom.

About SAP

As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE: SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device – SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 183,000 customers (includes customers from the acquisition of Sybase) to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com.

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Harvest Power Earns B CORP Certification

01.17.2012 - 09:00AM

Harvest Power, a leader in harnessing the maximum value from organic materials, today announced that it has been certified as a B Corporation, a new designation for corporations that use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. Harvest was certified by B Lab, a non-profit organization, for its environmentally- and socially-focused business model and its commitment to sustainability.

“Harvest is proud to take the important step of B Corp certification,” said Paul Sellew, Harvest’s CEO. “The performance standards B Lab uses to evaluate companies are directly in line with our core values, and investors and employees alike support our pledge to incorporate social and environmental impacts into decision making at every level.”

Certified B Corporations meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. They must create a positive impact on society and the environment, consider non-financial interests when making decisions and report overall social and environmental impacts as assessed against a third-party standard. To obtain certification, Harvest passed an assessment of its company activities, structure, environmental diligence and community impact.

Companies with B Corp designation are reevaluated every two years to ensure on-going commitment to B Corp principles. Harvest, with its B Corp profile listed here, plans to implement new policies and initiatives that build on those principles. The B Corp community includes companies from 60 industries with $2.9 billion in revenue.

About Harvest Power

Harvest harnesses the maximum value from organic materials by providing recycling solutions, generating clean, renewable energy, and producing soils, mulches and natural fertilizers. Harvest owns and operates facilities in British Columbia, Ontario, California, and throughout Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Northeast states. The company has a management team with deep experience in composting, renewable energy, supply chain management, engineering, law and finance. Harvest has grown rapidly since its founding in 2008 and has garnered awards for its systems of organics recycling, energy generation and soil revitalization: the company was twice named to the Cleantech 100 Top Global Cleantech companies, designated “Emerging Company of the Year” by the New England Clean Energy Council, and received an SBANE 2011 New England Innovation Award.

About B Corp

Certified B Corporations 1) meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance; 2) legally expand their corporate responsibilities to include consideration of stakeholder interests; and 3) build collective voice through the power of the unifying B Corporation brand. As of January 2012, there are over 515 Certified B Corporations from over 60 industries, representing a diverse multi-billion marketplace.

Going Green - International Electric Vehicle Racing Championships Envisioned

01.12.2012 - 10:19AM

/PRNewswire/ - Strategic sustainability project specialists Quimera, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron (ALMS) will form a joint venture combining their respective areas of expertise in 2012 launching a new global initiative to develop the next generation of sustainable motorsport.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54130-american-le-mans-series-ev-racing-quimera-imsa-tequila-patron

Working strategically, both IMSA and Quimera have immediately begun to define their objective of organizing a global, non-fossil fuel based championship.

Initial steps will be taken to prepare investors, the general public, media, sponsors and other interested parties for motorsport's impending embrace of clean technology. By 2013 this joint venture will be ready to launch its new international Electric Vehicle (EV) series. This Series will represent the first clean technology professional motorsport championship that will include various categories and also remain open to any OEMs eager to showcase and develop their own green credentials in a cost-controlled environment.

Initially, a version of the Quimera AEGT All-Electric GT car is expected to debut in demonstration runs at selected American Le Mans Series race events in 2012. While the championship is expected to begin in the USA at races run in conjunction with the ALMS, a clear international scope has already been outlined with the intention to invite any national governing body, promoter or country from around the world to join this ground-breaking motorsport project.

By embracing the "cleantech concept," the championship is also looking to include motorcycles as part of its event roster. Indeed, Quimera can already count on the support of the TTXGP World Championship, currently the world's leading international electric series. At the same time, evaluations continue into the possibility of hosting joint race weekends. For the first time ever this will ensure an event that features clean technology on two wheels as well as four, helping significant commercial and technical benefits to be realized for all stakeholders concerned.

IMSA and Quimera's partnership is expected to develop further by empowering R&D activities in both new and existing technologies, thereby emphasizing motorsport's essential role as a test bed for the automotive sector, for technology transfer as well as other key potential applications. A principal goal of this joint venture is to establish a series operating at the very forefront of motorsport's clean technology development.

Some initial categories under consideration:

GT
AEGT (525 kW / 700bhp): The world's first and most powerful all-electric GT racing car has already been designed, built and tested in extreme conditions by Quimera. Powertrain up to 600kW with carbon fiber chassis. Homologation requires no minimum cars to be manufactured while the category will also allow for inventive bodywork design. Complies with all sanctioned safety regulations.

Touring GT (300kW / 390bhp): Prototypes are currently being constructed by Quimera. This is an open category with all OEMs invited, although multiple single class OEM championships will be considered (discussions taking place). Powertrain up to 350kW with carbon or tubular chassis. Homologation requires no minimum cars to be manufactured. Complies with all sanctioned safety regulations.

Series organisers are currently negotiating an initiation series to be based on slightly modified road legal cars with a powertrain up to 150kW. This is intended as an OEM showcase for current EV consumer technology and provides a dynamic platform for the introduction to non-fossil fuel-based race series.

F3 type open wheel (300kW / 390bhp): Formulec has spent the past two years designing, developing and testing its EF01, the world's first 100 percent electric single-seater racing car which will lay the foundation for an open category adhering to rules and regulations. Powertrain up to 350kW with carbon fiber chassis. Complies with all sanctioned safety regulations.

TTXGP motorcycle: The TTXGP World Championship will expand its format to include more classes and different race formats. With unrivalled experience in electric racing, the series already boasts technology, knowledge and an exciting team line-up to provide thrilling competition and an enthusiastic fan base.

QUOTES:

Javier de Rocafort, Quimera Chairman of the Board: "For Quimera, this project is not simply confined to developing environmentally friendly cars that will offer an insight into the future of motorsport. It also concerns encouraging the dramatic shift soon to occur in the way the industry has operated up until now. More important than the act of car racing is how we actively evolve and prepare the future for coming generations. In this regard, our partnership with IMSA and the American Le Mans Series allows us to investigate and better understand the potential applications of these new technologies in the toughest possible environment – and in one of the largest automotive consumer markets in the world, the USA."

Scott Atherton, President & CEO Panoz Motor Sports Group – IMSA/ALMS: "We have often quoted the fact that the most important race in the world is the race among automobile manufacturers to develop new sustainable transportation solutions. Our alliance with Quimera is the embodiment of that race. It enables us to continue our leadership in green racing and truly takes us to the next level. We have been actively seeking a practical and viable opportunity to develop EV motorsport and we believe Quimera's technologies and plans are absolutely on target. As the Global Leader of Green Racing, the opportunity to link these events to our American Le Mans Series weekends provides an ideal fit for all involved."

About IMSA: Established in 1969, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) is an American auto racing sanctioning body based in Braselton, Ga. www.imsaracing.net

About ALMS: Since 1999, the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) has been North America's premier sports car championship with 10 endurance and sprint races making up the 2012 schedule. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC Le Mans Prototypes, and GT and GTC Grand Touring cars while race lengths vary from two hours to 12 hours. The championship is also recognised as the Global Leader of Green Racing.

www.americanlemans.com

www.facebook.com/ALMS.Official

Twitter: @almsnotes

Ceres President Mindy Lubber Statement on EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Rule

12.21.2011 - 03:12PM

In response to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement today of its final Mercury and Air Toxics Rule for Power Plants, the following statement was issued by Mindy S. Lubber, president of Ceres and director of the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), a network of 100 institutional investors across North America managing more than $10 trillion in assets:

“We applaud the Environmental Protection Agency and President Obama on today’s historic step to curb hazardous emissions of mercury, lead, arsenic and acid gases from the nation’s oldest and dirtiest power plants.

The new rule will unleash investment in our nation’s infrastructure and create jobs up and down the supply chain – from manufacturing centers across the country all the way through to the construction sites where high-polluting power plants will receive long overdue upgrades or be replaced with cleaner generation.

Multiple studies show that our nation’s power companies can meet this standard, protecting the health of our most vulnerable citizens, and keep our lights on. Hands down, clean air is a boon to us all and putting this new air pollution rules into effect at a time when new jobs and economic growth are desperately needed is the right thing to do.”

Several recent studies show that utility companies compliance with EPA’s MACT and CASPR air pollution rules is feasible and manageable and would also stimulate significant job gains. Based on recent estimates that the power sector will invest almost $200 billion in total capital improvements over the next five years, total employment created by these investments is estimated at 1.46 million jobs, or about 290,000 jobs on average in each of the next five years.”

To speak with a Ceres expert on the Rule, contact Meg Wilcox at 617-319-6457 cell, or wilcox@ceres.org.

For more information on Ceres reports regarding EPA’s clean air rules, go to: ceres.org/letsgettowork.

Ceres is an advocate for sustainability leadership. It leads a national coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest organizations working with companies to address sustainability challenges such as global climate change and water scarcity. Ceres also directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), a network of 100 institutional investors with collective assets totaling about $10 trillion. For more information, visit www.ceres.org and www.incr.com.

MetaVu Completes Independent Evaluation of Xcel Energy's SmartGridCity(TM)

12.15.2011 - 06:38PM

MetaVu, Inc., a leading sustainability and environmental performance consulting firm, today announced the public release of its evaluation of Xcel Energy’s SmartGridCity™ demonstration project in Boulder, Colorado. The independent analysis was commissioned by Xcel Energy to measure and evaluate more than 60 value propositions related to service and infrastructure improvements and customer benefits. The SmartGridCity™ evaluation is available through the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

MetaVu’s evaluation is recognized to be the first of its kind – an independent, comprehensive, and public review of the value and performance of the nation’s first full-scale and truly integrated smart grid system. MetaVu developed an evaluation framework that assessed customer value, organizational structures, and operational implications in addition to traditional cost/benefit analyses, making it useful in design, implementation, and optimization phases of smart grid deployments. The company’s performance measurement approaches have been further validated by MetaVu’s evaluation of the largest smart grid deployment in the Midwest on behalf of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

“Our team succeeded in providing an independent assessment that Xcel Energy, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, and other industry stakeholders will find valuable,” said Mark Serwinowski, Founder and CEO of MetaVu. Paul Alvarez, MetaVu’s utility practice leader, added, “MetaVu’s evaluation framework has set a benchmark for smart grid performance measurement. Emerging measurement standards, available utility business cases, and third party research findings were all considered during evaluation framework development and application.”

“MetaVu’s report indicates the project yielded clear and significant benefits for all our Colorado customers, and even more value for our customers in Boulder,” said Michael Lamb, Xcel Energy’s managing director of Business Systems and assistant chief information officer. “MetaVu’s third-party evaluation framework was critical to helping us identify important insights, many of which confront conventional wisdom,” added Lamb.

More smart grid deployments are moving from implementation to optimization, and the role of regulators in smart grid investment prudency and benefit maximization is evolving. MetaVu expects the size and role of the smart grid benefit measurement and verification (M&V) services market to grow as a result. “It’s where the demand-side management M&V market was 15 years ago,” Alvarez concluded.

MetaVu’s leadership in smart grid performance measurement will be on display at DistribuTECH 2012, where the firm will lead a panel of smart grid thought-leading utilities and regulators on lessons learned to date. MetaVu will also deliver a pre-conference Utility University® course on maximizing smart grid benefits. Utility University® and Conference registration is available at www.distributech.com.

About MetaVu
MetaVu simplifies the complexity of investing in sustainability and empowers executives to choose investment strategies best suited for their businesses. A recognized leader in sustainable development, MetaVu’s advisory and performance measurement services help companies innovate business models and product portfolios, leveraging sustainability as a strategy for value creation. This includes the Sustainable Development (SD) Tool Suite™ designed to measure corporate environmental and social performance. MetaVu has successfully collaborated with leading companies across multiple sectors including utilities, oil and gas, forest products, chemicals, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. To learn more about MetaVu, go to www.metavu.com.

About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.

About SmartGridCity
Xcel Energy established SmartGridCity in December 2007. By 2009 Xcel Energy had installed sensing and communications equipment to monitor the Boulder distribution grid covering over 45,000 homes. To date, more than 20 disparate software applications and 95 new data integration interfaces have been commissioned in support of SmartGridCity, along with 4,500 grid condition sensors and 24,000 smart meters. SmartGridCity already boasts service level improvements and increased customer capabilities. For more information visit www.xcelenergy.com/smartgridcity.

Anvil Knitwear Introduces Water Footprint as Part of 2011 CSR Progress Report

12.13.2011 - 09:42AM

/PRNewswire/ - Anvil Knitwear released its 2011 CSR Progress Report which states the American apparel company reduced its water, steam and electricity usage per pound of finished t-shirt fabric. The progress report – which covers Anvil's operations for fiscal 2010 – also highlights Anvil Knitwear's 10 percent reduction in production water usage and 25 percent reduction in landfill waste.

A highlight of the progress report is Anvil's first Product Water Footprint which reveals that the majority of water consumed during production of Anvil t-shirts occurs during the agricultural process – when cotton is grown and cultivated – compared to water consumed during the textile manufacturing process.

"Using the results of Anvil Knitwear's first water footprint assessment, we are working on a fiber diversification and sustainability scorecard that takes into account the impact of water in our agricultural supply chain," said Caterina Conti, Anvil's Executive Vice President and head of sustainability.

The Product Water Footprint also found that most of the water used at Anvil's production facilities is not actually consumed. Rather, it is returned to the same watershed from which it was sourced. Furthermore, water consumption during Anvil's textile processing has a minimal impact on water deprivation because Anvil manufactures in water-abundant areas.

While Anvil made many strides in its sustainability efforts, a 35 percent in increase in production and a change in product mix in 2010 resulted in the company experiencing higher emissions than in the previous year.

"Anvil Knitwear is committed to developing new and more innovative strategies to reduce our environmental footprint, especially as we expand our production to meet consumer demand for Anvil tees," Conti added.

Further insights on Anvil's progress in the last year include:

Production Water Savings

Anvil's textile facility used 10 percent less water this year – equivalent to saving an estimated 60 million gallons – as a result of changes made in dye/bleach recipes and reuse of cooling water. Anvil is still working to find new ways to use and reuse water throughout the production process and has set the goal of reducing water per unit produced by 20 percent by 2020.

Significant Waste Reduction

Anvil reduced the total amount of landfill waste generated by nearly 25 percent due to greater recycling efforts in all facilities, surpassing last year's target of a 5 percent reduction. The company set a new goal to achieve a zero landfilled waste stream by fiscal 2020.

Anvil Knitwear's 2010 GHG Emissions Footprint

Anvil reported an annualized emission equivalent of 59,357 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, up from the 42,523 metric tons reported in 2009. This 32 percent increase in company emissions is due to higher production, a change in product mix to a higher percentage of dyed t-shirts (which utilize approximately twice the energy and three times the water than bleached shirts) and an increase in outgoing deliveries as the result of expanded complete scope two reporting in 2010 for delivery emissions.

Anvil's 2011 CSR Progress Report also highlights expanded initiatives and improved KPIs in its labor, supply chain, human rights and society impacts, including the results of a self-assessment under the Calvert Women's Principles, which it adopted in 2010.

In the 2011 CSR Progress Report, Anvil fully reported on all core and actual performance indicator questions, self-declaring Application Level A. The reporting framework used is based upon the Global Reporting Initiative's G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines and the Apparel and Footwear Sector Supplement pilot. The progress report is a follow-up to Anvil Knitwear's 2010 CSR Report that was recognized as Best First Time Report by Ceres and the Association for Charted Certified Accountants (ACCA).

About Anvil Knitwear

Anvil Knitwear, Inc., a century old apparel brand, is a leader in the sustainable apparel industry with its AnvilOrganic®, AnvilRecycled® and AnvilSustainable® brands. AnvilOrganic® has been ranked in the top ten largest organic programs worldwide by the Textile Exchange for the last three years. Anvil Knitwear received Best First Time Report for its first CSR Report published in 2010 in the North American competition sponsored by Ceres and the Association for Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). For more information, please visit www.anvilknitwear.com.

MetaVu Selected to Instruct Utility University(R) Course and Moderate Panel at DistribuTECH 2012

12.05.2011 - 08:00AM

MetaVu, Inc., a leading sustainability and environmental performance consulting firm, today announced it has been selected to instruct a prestigious Utility University® course and moderate an expert panel at the DistribuTECH 2012 Conference and Exhibition, the leading annual smart grid event, in San Antonio, January 22-26. MetaVu’s participation in DistribuTECH 2012 showcases the company’s leadership and expertise in smart grid benefits measurement and deployment strategy development.

MetaVu will deliver two learning experiences at DistribuTECH 2012, including a preconference Utility University® course and panel session of experts from leading utilities and regulators, including Xcel Energy, Duke Energy, California Public Utilities Commission, and Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The relevant, topical and issue-concentrated content for these sessions will be based on MetaVu’s smart grid experience in leading comprehensive, independent evaluations for Xcel Energy’s SmartGridCity™ pilot project and the largest Ohio smart grid deployment on behalf of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. As part of these engagements, MetaVu has developed industry-leading measurement methodologies informed by a comprehensive review of emerging standards and publicly available utility business cases.

“We are pleased that the Advisory Committee for DistribuTECH 2012 recognized MetaVu with two opportunities to share smart grid best-practices,” said Mark A. Serwinowski, Founder and CEO of MetaVu. “MetaVu’s ability to help both utilities and regulators measure and maximize benefits through thoughtful application of organizational, operational and regulatory frameworks will be highlighted to participants, and I am confident the MetaVu team will deliver a great deal of value,” added Serwinowski.

The preconference Utility University® course (UU 210), titled “Evaluating Smart Grid Performance: Optimizing the Value of Smart Grid Investments,” is designed to help utilities completing or contemplating smart grid projects answer the question: How can I improve the perception and value of smart grid investments to customers? The course will help attendees understand what smart grid benefits and capabilities customers value, how to measure associated performance, and how to overcome challenges to performance improvement.

MetaVu’s Utility Practice Leader, Paul Alvarez, will also moderate a panel session of utility and regulator thought leaders designed to share emerging best practices. “Smart Grid Lessons Learned: Utility and Regulator Perspectives” will examine how findings from early deployments are shaping deployment trends among utilities and cost recovery orders from regulators. Randy Huston (Xcel Energy), Mark Wyatt (Duke Energy), Elizaveta Malashenko (California Public Utilities Commission - Energy Division), and the Honorable Dana Murphy (Chair, Oklahoma Corporation Commission) will provide insights of great value to smart grid deployment strategists, project managers, and customer program developers.

MetaVu reminds interested smart grid professionals to visit www.distributech.com to register for the conference and Utility University® (UU 210) course.

About MetaVu
MetaVu simplifies the complexity of investing in sustainability and empowers executives to choose investment strategies best for their business. A recognized leader in sustainable development, MetaVu’s advisory services and subscription products help companies innovate their business model and products leveraging sustainability as a strategy for value creation. This includes the Sustainable Development (SD) Tool Suite™ designed to measure environmental and social performance impact. MetaVu has successfully collaborated with leading companies across multiple sectors including global energy development in extractives, to renewables and electricity distribution in the “smart grid,” to companies that produce the medicines we take, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the cars we drive and the technology we use. To learn more about MetaVu, go to www.metavu.com.

About DistribuTECH
DistribuTECH is the utility industry’s leading transmission and distribution conference and exhibition, covering the smart grid, automation and control systems, energy efficiency, demand response, renewable energy integration, advanced metering, T&D system operation and reliability, power delivery equipment and water utility technology. More information is available at www.distributech.com.

Energy Improvements Can Save Greater Cincinnati $60 Million and Create Over 300 Local Jobs

12.02.2011 - 08:34AM

(Marketwire) - Energy efficiency upgrades to the area's homes and non-profit buildings can save area residents $60 million in lower energy bills and create more than 300 local jobs, according to a study released today by the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance.

The study, conducted by the University of Cincinnati's Economics Center and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, is the first of its kind in the region. Researchers found that routine energy upgrades, such as installing more insulation and reducing drafts, as well as upgrading heating and air conditioning units, will also reduce energy related air pollution.

"My Mom used to say: 'Close the door, you are letting the heat out.' That's what we have here. Our house is our community and we have dollars leaking out," said Jeff Rexhausen, associate director of research at the University of Cincinnati's Economics Center. "The dollars are leaking out because we are spending them on energy. If we saved money on energy, we could spend our money on other things and that would improve our local economy. That's really what this report is about."

Researchers of the study, commissioned by the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, examined energy, building, census, and environmental data for Hamilton, Boone, Campbell, and Kenton Counties -- which are all served by the non-profit group. The Energy Alliance provides low-cost financial incentives for homeowners and non-profit groups to make energy efficiency upgrades. The report, "The Energy Efficiency Market in the Greater Cincinnati Region: Energy Savings Potential and Strategies to Improve Performance of Residential and Non-Profit Buildings," quantifies the level of economic impact those upgrades can make to the region.

The findings were shared last month with leaders from local governments, businesses, banks and foundations to increase awareness and spur continued partnership with the Energy Alliance.

Researchers said that if 69,000 homeowners and 460 non-profits make energy improvements using the Energy Alliance's program, they would save $22.2 million in 2020 and $59.6 million in lower energy bills in 2030. Further, most homeowners would see immediate cash savings in the first year of the energy upgrade and an average savings of $500 a year for 18 years.

The Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance is one of only 35 organizations in the country to be awarded a grant through the Department of Energy's Better Buildings Neighborhood Program. The mission of the program is to transform the energy efficiency market. What that means for The Energy Alliance is investing in technology, workforce development, and financing solutions to dramatically increase both the supply and demand of the market.

To date, the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance has provided expertise and funding to weatherize 325 Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky homes with such improvements.

"We know heating and air-conditioning systems, as well as windows, will be upgraded as usual," said Andy Holzhauser, Executive Director of the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance. "But now we can both drive new work and have a role in the existing market to make sure it's getting done in a more efficient manner. We now can generate new investment in our economy."

As homeowners save money on their energy bills, their spending will shift and create the need for jobs in other sectors of the local economy, researchers said. They calculated that around 317 local jobs would be created in 2030 in the areas of construction and manufacturing as well as in trades and services. Those jobs would pump an additional $13 million into the local economy.

"Energy efficiency is the cheapest, cleanest, and fastest energy resource available to the Cincinnati region. The Energy Alliance programs are a great deal for home and building owners who take advantage of them, utility customers on the whole, and the economy of the region in general," said the report's lead author Eric Mackres, who is a Senior Policy Analyst for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

Researchers also projected that energy upgrades provided through Energy Alliance programs would reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 250,000 metric tons, nitrogen oxides by 340 metric tons and sulfur dioxide by 1,640 metric tons in 2030.

"This really has a triple bottom line: We can each make an investment in our homes, and in doing so, we will make an economic investment in our community that has a societal benefit as well as benefits to our earth and the climate," Holzhauser said.

To view the study: http://greatercea.org/market-study.

The Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky communities reduce their energy costs. The Energy Alliance provides education, expertise and innovative financing to help the region to become more energy efficient, saving money for residents while also creating local jobs. Visit www.greatercea.org.

The University of Cincinnati's Economics Center, founded in 1977, is a leading provider of economic resources for educators, students, businesses, and public agencies. Visit www.economicscenter.org.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, visit www.aceee.org.

Freudenberg North America Companies Give Back with Zeal

12.01.2011 - 03:38PM

/PRNewswire/ - During the holiday season, many corporate organizations donate to charity. But Freudenberg North America Limited Partnership (Freudenberg North America) demonstrates its commitment to good corporate citizenship by engaging in year-long community service projects consistent with company values.

Freudenberg North America, the North American holding company for Freudenberg & Co. of Weinheim, Germany, owns a family of companies which operate 15 unique businesses. Together, these companies provide innovative products and solutions to customers in industries ranging from automotive, aerospace and medical to chemical, oil and gas and construction.

But they also provide much more.

"When Freudenberg was established more than 160 years ago, a culture of good corporate citizenship and community responsibility were part of its guiding business principles," said Leesa Smith, president, Freudenberg North America. "Those guiding principles are as vital today as they were when the company first opened its doors as a leather tannery in Germany."

"The employees who work for the Freudenberg North America family of companies are committed to social responsibility and actively engaged in charitable projects throughout the year," Smith noted. "Our employees model the Freudenberg Guiding Principles in everything they do, including giving back to their communities."

Collectively, Freudenberg employees have contributed thousands of hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities and projects including blood and food drives, disaster relief efforts, fundraisers, day care centers, clothing banks and charity events. Plymouth, Mich.-based Freudenberg-NOK's "Your Community Partner" program, launched in 2009, has resulted in more than 40 service projects being completed in communities throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Malaysia. Employees have raised thousands of dollars for local, state, national and international charitable organizations. In keeping with the season, for example, the company's Manchester, N.H. facility recently completed collection of 1,700 pounds of food for the New Hampshire Food Bank. The company's headquarters employees recently assembled and boxed more than 11,000 meals that will be distributed to local and international relief agencies to help feed needy families.

Similarly, EagleBurgmann's SEAL TEAM (Service, Encouragement, Action, Leadership… Together EagleBurgmann Achieves More) sponsors food and blood drives, recycling programs, stuffed animal collections, children's sport sponsorships and charity boat races throughout the year in Houston.

Londonderry, N.H.-based Kluber Lubrication and Howell, Mich.-based Chem-Trend show a similar commitment to improving the world around them. This year, Kluber Lubrication North America employees spent an afternoon in New Orleans painting houses and donating other resources to assist area residents who continue to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. Chem-Trend employees planted, cared for and harvested more than two tons of fresh vegetables from the company's Giving Garden for needy families in their community.

But individual Freudenberg North America employees also contribute to their communities in remarkable ways. When Freudenberg Household Products Chief Financial Officer Mike Dudiak was looking for a way to give back to the company's hometown of Aurora, Ill., he decided something bigger than a single donation was required. Dudiak and a friend founded No Greater Gift, a new charity that addresses the major poverty issues of hunger, shelter, education, health and justice. The charity collects monetary donations as an alternative to traditional gift giving: contributors choose how they want the donation to be used and select the organization that will receive the funds.

"The Freudenberg commitment to service makes me proud to work for the organization," said Dudiak. "I really think that the goals of No Greater Gift align well with Freudenberg values."

Freudenberg Filtration Technologies employee Casey North serves as a deacon, youth pastor and youth ministry leader for Eastview Baptist Church and the Hopkinsville Youth Ministries Network in the company's headquarters community of Hopkinsville, Ky. Today, North directs monthly volunteer projects that offer teenagers a chance to get involved in projects ranging from raking leaves and hauling trash to working in soup kitchens, hosting bake sales and organizing charity car washes. North's most ambitious project, an annual 30-hour famine, helps teenagers raise both money and awareness for the food and shelter issues faced by millions of other people.

"The kids really respond to the reality of this experience," North said. "They understand that they are doing this voluntarily for 30 hours but other people around the world are doing it every day without choice. These kids want to help. When you engage them, they plug in and really see the need. They are on fire to help."

"The holidays provide people with an important time to reflect on their families, friends and good fortunes," Smith concluded. "We at Freudenberg North America are grateful for the support and prosperity our customers and communities have provided to our companies, and we think the most appropriate way to say thank you during the holidays is to say it throughout the year."

About Freudenberg North America Limited Partnership

Freudenberg North America Limited Partnership, the North American holding company for Freudenberg & Co. of Weinheim, Germany, owns a family of companies that operate 15 unique businesses. Together, these companies provide innovative products and solutions to customers in industries ranging from automotive, aerospace and medical to chemical, oil and gas and construction. Freudenberg North America companies develop and manufacture custom-engineered seals, vibration control technology, filters, nonwovens, release agents, lubricants, expansion joints, household products, and IT software and services.

The Freudenberg Group specializes in seals and vibration control technology, nonwovens, filtration, lubricants and release agents and other specialty business areas. The Freudenberg Group generated sales of more than U.S. $7.13 billion and had 34,000 global employees in 2010. For additional information, please visit freudenberg.com.

New Study Shows How EPA Clean Air Rules Boost the Economy and Create Jobs

11.17.2011 - 12:18PM

A new study details the positive impacts on the economy and job creation resulting from companies’ investments in emission control technology in response to new air pollution rules from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The report, New Jobs – Cleaner Air Part II: An Investment in American Businesses and American Jobs, released today by Ceres in collaboration with the Institute of Clean Air Companies (ICAC), highlights specific case studies of companies involved in building a fleet of modern power plants.

“As Congress continues to debate how best to create jobs, we already know one area that is poised for more jobs – the utility sector. As companies invest in upgrades to their older, less efficient power plants to comply with EPA air pollution rules, jobs will be created at supplier's manufacturing centers all the way down the supply chain to the actual construction sites,” said Ceres President Mindy Lubber. “Hands down, clean air is a good thing and putting these air pollution rules into effect at a time when new jobs and economic growth are desperately needed is the right thing to do.”

The two EPA rules under consideration are the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) and the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Rule (aka Utility MACT). CSAPR will require significant reductions in harmful emissions from coal-fired power plants that drift hundreds of miles downwind and across state lines. The Toxics rule will require power plants to curb hazardous emissions of mercury, lead, arsenic and acid gases by 2015. Many of the power plants impacted by these rules are more than 50 years old.

Estimates from EPA and others have projected that the total amount of investment needed to comply with the new rules is at least $94 billion. This investment would flow directly to American companies, creating the construction and manufacturing jobs that our economy sorely needs.

According to research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, every one million dollars of investment in a construction project leads directly and indirectly to 11 new jobs. Retrofitting a coal-fired power plant with $200 million worth of air pollution control (APC) equipment would result in 2,200 jobs. These projects have ripple effects when newly-employed workers spend their wages. As investment spreads across the country, it will help bring a spark to the national economy.

“There is an unprecedented amount of capital sitting on the sidelines of the economy. There’s also a large pool of skilled labor not being utilized. Eliminating the uncertainty around these rules will connect those two dots,” said David Foerter, executive director, ICAC. “Everyone from small companies to multi-national corporations will see immediate gains as orders are placed and skilled labor is hired for these projects. The entire supply chain will benefit.”

American businesses across the country provide the products, expertise, and services necessary to update our fleet of older coal-fired power plants. These businesses provide engineering design, construction, and maintenance services, and manufacture the many different types of equipment needed in APC systems. They provide well-paying jobs to engineers, electricians, pipefitters, boilermakers, millwrights and iron workers.

Jobs and Investments Spurred Across the Country:

New Hampshire: Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH) is nearly finished installing a wet scrubber at their 460 megawatt (MW) Merrimack Station coal-fired power plant in Bow. PSNH invested $457 million in the scrubber project, which is providing 300 on-site construction jobs for the three-year construction period – in addition to hundreds of other jobs further upstream in the supply chain.

Pennsylvania: PPL’s Brunner Island Power Station in York Haven began constructing a new flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system on units 1, 2 and 3 (a total of 1,540 MW) in 2007. The total project investment was $800 million, which directly and indirectly created employment opportunities for thousands of people over the three years it took to complete the project, and added 30 permanent jobs at the plant to operate the scrubber.

New York: NRG Energy recently installed an innovative injection system combining dry sorbent injection (DSI) and activated carbon injection (ASI) to cut emissions at its Dunkirk and Huntley plants in upstate New York. AECOM (New York City) served as project and construction manager for the $275 million project, managing design, procurement, and installation.

Minnesota: Xcel Energy constructed multiple emission controls at the 620 MW Allen S. King plant between 2003 and 2007. The $380 million in investments included boiler overhauls, construction of an SCR, and a combination spray dryer/fabric filter system. The project included Alstom Environmental Controls; AMEX, Mitsubishi and others.

The study also provides a list of 139 supply chain companies in over 30 states, and highlights several supply chain companies that have already seen the benefits of these investments and will see more when the clean air rules are implemented. Case studies of specific companies include Midwesco Filter Resources, Inc. (VA), United Conveyor Corporation (IL, IN and CO), and M.J. Electric, LLC (MI). The paper also provides profiles for the APC supply chain in 5 states where many jobs will be created, listing the companies based in Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania that will be put to work on projects locally and around the country.

U.S. Locations of key supply chain companies

From patents to production, the supply chain for APC equipment has the capacity to modernize aging infrastructure and cut hazardous air emissions. CSAPR and the Toxics Rule will do more than just clean the air and improve health nationwide; they will also create a strong incentive for companies to channel capital to construction projects and boost demand for skilled workers.

Lubber concludes: “As the record has shown, the diverse APC supply chain touches every corner of the nation. For every one of the companies featured in this report, dozens of others are poised to step in. By highlighting these case studies, we hope to put a face to the individuals and companies that can help lead America’s transition to a cleaner energy future and stronger economic health.”

The report follows up on a previous study, New Jobs – Cleaner Air: Employment Effects Under Planned Changes to the EPA’s Air Pollution Rules, by Ceres and the University of Massachusetts Political Economy Research Institute, which found that the investments driven by new air pollution rules will create nearly 1.5 million jobs, or nearly 300,000 jobs per year on average over the next five years.

About Ceres

Ceres is a leading coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest organizations working with companies to address sustainability challenges such as global climate change. Ceres also directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), a network of 98 investors with $9.5 trillion of collective assets focused on the business impacts of climate change. www.ceres.org

About ICAC

The Institute of Clean Air Companies (ICAC) is the nonprofit national association of companies working in the stationary source air pollution control and monitoring sector. The Institute’s members include leading system and component suppliers of monitoring and control technologies for particulate matter, nitrogen and sulfur oxides, mercury, volatile organic compounds and other hazardous air pollutants. ICAC advances the common business interests of its members by working for strong, flexible clean air policies that rest on sound technical basis and that promote public health, environmental quality and industrial progress.

The Chimera of Customer Satisfaction in the Utility Sector: EcoPinion Consumer Survey Points to Nuances and Need for Alternative Customer Metrics

11.17.2011 - 10:00AM

EcoAlign, a strategic marketing agency in the energy sector, released the findings today of a consumer survey examining customer metrics utilized in the utility sector and other sectors, including customer satisfaction scores and alternative customer metrics. One thousand Americans nationwide responded to the survey conducted in September 2011. EcoAlign conducted the survey in conjunction with the Customer Care Research Consortium (CCRC).

“The survey findings reveal a strong foundation of customer satisfaction and consumer trust in the utility sector which utilities can build on,” stated Jamie Wimberly, CEO of EcoAlign. “Yet the traditional focus on customer satisfaction has produced a paradox in that the score may not reflect what is actually going on in regard to customer operations or service levels due to the fact that customer satisfaction in the utility sector is largely driven by exogenous factors such as price. Moreover, a key challenge will be to align future utility customer operations with evolving consumer needs and expectations, especially in regard to more humanistic/ emotional components of customer service and the customer relationship. Once you start digging into why people respond the way they do to customer satisfaction surveys, there is a lot of variability underneath the top line response to how satisfied they are which is worth exploring further.”

The top line findings from EcoPinion No. 13 include:

In general consumers appear to be satisfied with the customer service they are receiving. When asked for one word to describe their satisfaction with the customer service provided by their local electric utility both “good” and “expensive” were mentioned most frequently. Other terms mentioned at lower levels were “OK,” “happy,” “helpful,” and “reliable.”

Nearly six out of ten consumers felt it was easy to do business with their local electric company (58 percent rated 8, 9 or 10 on a ten-point scale). However, when specifically asked about the ease of conducting specific tasks, a few ratings were lower.

Between five and six out of ten consumers rated their utility company as being trustworthy (8, 9 or 10 on a ten-point scale), with those over age 55 and home owners the most likely to feel this way.

The majority (87 percent) indicated they would be likely to share the news of utility programs, incentives or information that they find to be attractive and useful with family and friends, with 56 percent saying they would be very likely. Home owners and those over age 55 would be the most likely to share news of this type.

In terms of how they respond to satisfaction surveys, respondents were most likely to say that their responses to customer satisfaction surveys are a complete representation of how they feel (approximately half felt this way). Seventeen percent indicated that they give high scores when they like the CSR rep and 16 percent said their response is generally how they feel, but there are other things they can’t express.
- Twelve percent gave the answer “depends” and explained that their answers to a satisfaction survey is dependent on the level of service received (47 percent net mentions), mainly due to the specific representative (26 percent) or on the type/quality of service they received (12 percent).
- They also mentioned that it depends on their personal situation (28 percent net mentions), specifically their mood (11 percent) or how much time they have/how busy they are (10 percent).
- And finally, it also depended on the survey (18 percent net mentions), specifically they types of questions (9 percent), type of survey (4 percent), or length of survey (4 percent).

When asked for the two most important factors contributing towards their satisfaction with the electric utility, price was mentioned most often (61 percent selected it as being among their top two factors). This was followed by customer service (47 percent) and keeping the lights on (38 percent).

Americans considered their access to the information collected and held by their local utility to be important to them.
- Fifty-five percent mentioned that the ease of accessing the information was very important to them.
- Approximately half mentioned that the amount and kind of information they were allowed to access was very important, as was the speed with which the utility company released the information.
- The older adults (55+ years) and to a lesser extent the home owners were the most likely to find these information access variables important.

“The findings from EcoPinion No. 13 validate the need for a more nuanced view of customer satisfaction in the utility sector,” stated Jamie Wimberly. “Utility customer service will become a more important factor, especially for opportunities to improve customer satisfaction or to mitigate negative trends tied to price/ rate increases. The survey findings also point to the growing importance of non-traditional dimensions, e.g., human/ emotional, along with improvements in delivery and offering. As such, alternative customer metrics will be important as well, such as measuring the ease of doing business and trust.”

EcoAlign is making the survey report available to the public at no charge on our website: www.ecoalign.com

EcoAlign is the energy and environment marketing agency and a wholly-owned affiliate of DEFG LLC. We develop and execute marketing strategies for utilities, renewable energy providers and vendors operating in the energy and environment space. We are uniquely suited to help companies achieve their business objectives, from reaching efficiency program targets and improving customer satisfaction, to launching new products, increasing market share and repositioning for growth in the clean tech space.

The Customer Care Research Consortium (CCRC) is a blue ribbon panel comprised of North American utility executives focused on collaborative research on utility customer strategy and operations. The executive panel convenes twice a year to set a research agenda, discuss findings, and share customer-facing challenges, opportunities and best practices. The CCRC research agenda covers such issues as optimizing customer engagement capabilities enabled by smart grid, identifying and implementing best metrics to measure performance and customer satisfaction, developing capabilities to serve as the trusted energy advisor of the future, among other research initiatives. The CCRC is co-managed by DEFG LLC and Navigant Consulting.

Administration's Proposed 54.5 MPG Fuel Economy Standard Wins Praise from Investors

11.16.2011 - 04:30PM

Leading investors praised the Obama Administration’s release today of proposed fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards – standards that will raise automobile fuel economy to 54.5 miles per gallon on average by 2025, up from 27.3 today.

Ceres and several of its investor partners said the new standards will spur innovation and U.S. job creation, advance public health, and be a consumer-friendly leap forward for an American and global environment threatened by climate change and dependence on oil. The regulations are expected to be finalized next July.

“We’ve long said – and demonstrated with unbiased research – that higher mileage standards are a huge win for our society,” said Ceres President Mindy Lubber. “America needs to move forward now on advanced clean energy solutions that help our economy and consumers, create jobs, cut pollution and help our transportation sector become more globally competitive. The Obama Administration is doing that with these new standards today.”

"Strong vehicle standards will make the U.S. more competitive in the allocation of global investment capital and also reduce our dependence on oil, which undermines our competitiveness,” added Matthew Fitzmaurice, Managing Partner of AWJ Capital Partners, LLC, which manages a global fund of funds and is a member of Ceres’ Investor Network on Climate Risk. “Investment capital now plays on a global stage, and capital represented by hedge funds will find its way into those economies and companies where clear standards exist.”

“As an analyst, I review emissions and efficiency targets not only here in the U.S. but globally, and over the 2020 time frame we see international standards becoming only more stringent,” said Rebecca Henson, of Calvert Investment Management, Inc. “These proposed standards will drive the competitiveness of the U.S. auto industry, which is an important slice of our portfolios. Stricter environmental standards like these will spark innovation and improve the competitive positioning of US automakers.”

Ceres leads a national coalition of major investors and public interest groups working with companies to address sustainability challenges such as global climate change and water scarcity. With several of its partners, Ceres has shown in recent research that strong emissions standards lead to significant jobs growth while lowering pollution and positioning America for global leadership in two of the 21st century’s major economic sectors – transportation and energy efficiency.

For instance, earlier this year Citi Investment Research and Ceres jointly released two new reports: “Fuel Economy Focus: Perspectives on 2020 (Auto) Industry Implications,” and “Electric Vehicles: Perspectives on a Growing Investment Theme.” The reports, prepared as guidance for Citi’s investor clients, found that stricter fuel economy standards will bring economic benefits to the auto industry and particularly the Detroit 3 (GM, Ford and Chrysler) and their domestic suppliers – and that the U. S. electric vehicle industry is poised to grow, driven primarily by policies at many levels of government in addition to rising fuel prices.

The July report “More Jobs Per Gallon: How Strong Fuel Economy/GHG Standards Will Fuel American Jobs” – an economic analysis authored for Ceres by the respected independent economic research firm Management Information Services, Inc. – found that the 54.5 mpg fuel economy standard now proposed by the Obama Administration will create approximately 484,000 economy-wide new U.S. jobs, with 43,000 directly in the auto industry and net job gains in 49 states.

In addition, independent polling commissioned by Ceres and performed by The Mellman Group in April found overwhelming bipartisan support among voters for higher mileage standards in Michigan and Ohio – the historic heart of America’s auto industry.

Under an agreement backed by American automakers and labor, the Obama Administration has been working jointly with the California Air Resources Board on new mileage/greenhouse gas emissions standards to be finalized next year. Ceres President Lubber said that today’s announcement hopefully signifies a firm commitment to strong mileage standards.

“There’s no good reason not to make the final regulations coming next year as strong as they can be,” Lubber said. “The gains vastly outweigh the costs, and the need to modernize our transportation sector and address climate change and oil dependence couldn’t be more urgent. More jobs per gallon isn’t just a slogan, it’s reality.”

Ceres leads a national coalition of investors, environmental organizations and other public interest groups working with companies to address sustainability challenges such as global climate change and water scarcity. Our mission is to integrate sustainability into day-to-day business practices for the health of the planet and its people. More information at http://www.ceres.org.

Ceres also coordinates the Investor Network on Climate Risk, which supports 100 institutional investors with assets totaling $10 trillion by identifying the financial opportunities and risks in climate change, and by tackling the policy and governance issues that impede investor progress toward more sustainable capital markets. http://www.ceres.org/incr

Opportunity Green Business Conference Showcases 25 Innovative Green Business Entrepreneurs

11.16.2011 - 10:00AM

The Opportunity Green Business Conference, the preeminent sustainability forum facilitating exchange of ideas and sustainable business solutions, brought together over 900 Fortune 500 business leaders and entrepreneurs from around the globe to showcase the most sought-after opportunities, profound innovations, technologies and trends accelerating the new green economy through an exchange of ideas on how to implement environment-friendly business practice, clean technology and innovation.

OG25 Innovative Green Start-Up Awards Competition:

The fifth annual conference, which took place November 10 and 11 at Los Angeles Center Studios, featured the much anticipated OG25 eco-startup competition, dedicated to environmentally responsible innovation and entrepreneurship. The contest showcases twenty-five of the most innovative eco-startup companies across the country.

These 25 finalists - representing the best and brightest entrepreneurial initiatives in clean technology, transportation, infrastructure, social innovation, water management, food systems, community development and more competed in a fast pitch (one minute) presentation in hopes of being named "OG25 Green Start-Up of the Year".

“The OG 25 Contest is one of the most exciting presentations at the Opportunity Green Conference. Hundreds of companies are entering the market, and have come to us requesting to speak and launch their companies at Opportunity Green. A majority of the entries are coming from the green sector and looking to introduce themselves and their innovative solutions to the wider business community and connect with the key industry leaders,” said Karen Solomon, Co-Founder and CEO of Opportunity Green. “It’s incredibly inspiring to see the new ideas, models and product solutions that are at the forefront and could potentially be the next big thing.”

Several hundred companies were nominated for the prestigious award through Opportunity Green's website, recommendations by Opportunity Green staff and expert consultants. Nominations came from a variety of sectors, including water conservation, waste management, food systems, product design, social innovation, transportation and mobility, and resources conservation. To be nominated companies should be in business less than five years, have fewer than 50 employees and less than $5 million in revenue and were selected based on the combination of innovative thinking, potential for impact and execution of their idea.

PrintEco was selected by the attendees via real time text as the OG25 Start Up Winner. PrintEco Office is a suite of plug-ins for Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer and Firefox, which automatically optimizes and prints documents in a few seconds, making the least financial and environmental impact possible thus cutting down on “carbon emissions, not trees” and reduces printing costs by 17%.

PrintEco received We Are Plus's $25,000 Brand and Marketing Package. We Are Plus is a marketing firm dedicated to strategic insights and creative solutions; their team of expert marketers is committed to building brands with purpose designed to meaningfully engage with audiences.

Arpan Shah, President and Co-founder of PrintEco was excited to be the recipient of this year’s Competition. “I have been getting countless emails from readers and listeners from various news outlets who covered the Conference who are enthusiastic about connecting me with their organizations for implementing our eco friendly software. This is a wonderful testament to my partner and I to receive this prestigious award from the number one leading sustainability Conference in North America. It validates us for our hard work and efforts in the last few years in developing our product. I have a renewed sense of motivation and urgency to follow our vision to make a positive and environmental impact in the business world.”

This year was the most interactive and influential experience yet.

Key Sponsors and Partners of Opportunity Green Include:

* Opportunity Green is presented in partnership with The BMW Group and Gensler and hosted by UCLA Anderson School of Management Price Center for Entrepreneurial Studies with additional support from: Production Resource Group (PRG), Domtar Paper, Eastman Innovation Lab, Dell, eBay Green Team, AHA! Writers, Marsh & McClennan Companies, Yoxi, Los Angeles Center Studios, Southwest Airlines, Indo Teak Design, Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, UCLA Extension, American Apparel, Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles World Airports, Southern California Gas Company, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Everpure Pentair Water, Energy Upgrade California, Bottlehood, Vapur, American Reclaimed Product Supply, Borrego Solar, Boxman Studios, Zimride, ChicoBag, Daqri, QuickMobile, Boostability, NS Tech, Hotel Angeleno, Design Printing LA,Tern Bicycles, Native Energy, Yolo Colorhouse, Bikes Belong, ICON Aircraft,Tender Greens, Border Grill, Calamigos Ranch, Large Marge Sustainables, Weaver's Coffee & Tea, Kevita, Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery (SPUD), repurpose, Honest Beverages, ecoProducts, PopChips, Kashi and KIND.

For a full list of the OG Competition Finalists, please see below.

About Opportunity Green

Founded in 2007, Opportunity Green brings together leading companies and visionaries in technology, design, media and more, showcasing the hottest opportunities to drive profitability through sustainability. The conference exposes and connects participants to an interdisciplinary cross-section of ideas at the forefront of sustainable business practices through a variety of formats, including creative panels and experiential workshops. Opportunity Green is the largest multidisciplinary green business conference, attracting over 850 attendees from Fortune 500 powerhouses to cutting-edge startups. Opportunity Green is the proud recipient of the Golden Arrow Award for Overall Excellence in Product Stewardship from the California Product Stewardship Council and a finalist for "Best Green Initiative" in the BizBash West Event Style Awards. For more information: www.opportunitygreen.com.

For more information:

Kristall Lutz, Director of Strategic Alliances
kristall@opportunitygreen.com Mobile: 917-280-4888

OG25 FINALISTS:

Aeroclay
From insulation to absorption, sound barriers to packaging, Aeroclay is an advanced materials company dedicated to creating the perfect innovative, high-performance, and eco-friendly materials to meets your business's needs.

Alphabet Energy, @alphabetenergy
Alphabet Energy allows for customers to convert their waste heat to electrical power in the range of microwatts to megawatts. Their revolutionary, all-silicon thermoelectric approach is the only of its kind that lends itself to massive scale, low cost, and high sustainability.

Bottlehood, @bottlehood
Bottlehood reclaims, repurposse and reuses glass bottles, barrels and other products from local restaurants, bars and events to create tumblers, glasses, vases and lighting and more.

BrightFarms, @brightfarms
BrightFarms designs, finances, builds, and operates hydroponic greenhouse farms at supermarkets eliminating time, distance, and cost from the food supply chain.

Carborigami, @Cardborigami
Cardborigami, a portable, waterproof, and flame-retardant shelter, is an innovative approach to alleviating homelessness. Providing protection from the elements, Cardborigami supplies instant shelter for those who have nothing.

Dozuki, @Dozuki
Committed to changing the repair industry, Dozuki creates wiki-style repair manuals for brands, available to be downloaded as an applicaiton or PDF, or easily accessible online.

Eco Aluminum Pallets, @ecopallet
Eco Aluminum pallets is a viable alternative to plastic and wooden pallets, allowing the worldwide transportation of goods with lower fuel consumption and lower green house gas emissions.

Egg Energy, @EGGenergy
With the goal of providing power throughout the entirety of the developing world, EGG Energy provides electronic power in the form of portable, rechargeable, and affordable batteries to low income African houses.

Grid Test Systems, @Gridtest1
Grid Test Systems provides unique portable test equipment to confirm the safety and operational status of Electric Vehicle Charging Systems, helping to build a future where you can plug your vehicle into any public or private EV Charging station to fuel up.

Honest Buildings
Honest Buildings is part of the next great shift change in the movement to create and develop high performance buildings. Through a collaboration-based platform, it offers mechanisms for owners, managers, and occupants of buildings to showcase their latest innovations.

Kiverdi, @Kiverdi
Kiverdi develops alternative fuels and bio-products to reduce the reliance on carbon dioxide emissions without posing a threat to natural habitats or impacting the economics of food production.

Langson
Revolutionizing the economics of green energy, Langson Energy has created the Gas Letdown Generation, an efficient and unique power conversion system, which turns gas pressure into power.

Makani Power, @makanipower
Makani Power creates airborne wind turbines to extract energy from powerful winds at high altitudes. These turbines produce energy at an unsubsidized real cost that is competitive with coal-fired power plants.

Practically Green, @practicallygrn
A leading program for "greening" your everyday lifestyle, Practically Green applies sustainability and eco-consciousness to businesses and people, incorporating environmental awareness and actions into our world, one person at a time.

The Mutual, @the_mutual
The Mutual is a platform that connects businesses, non-profits & individuals in a design that makes it easy & advantageous for each to support the environment in a relevant way. Donate to charities & get rewarded with Perks from great brands.

Nest, @nest
The Nest is a learning thermometer, which programs itself within a week to keep you comfortable while saving energy, creating the perfect balance between conservation and comfort.

QuaDror
QuaDror is a new space truss geometry that unfolds manifold design initiatives and can adapt to various conditions and configurations. It creates a new framing system for all kinds of buildings, striving for a better world through creativity.

Recycling Shower, @RecyclingShower
The water recycling shower incorporates a recirculation system that automatically cleans, filters, and pasteurizes your shower water in less than 30 seconds.

RepRisk, @RepRisk
RepRisk monitors companies and their environmental, social, and corporate governmental risk exposure. On a daily basis, they screen thousands of sources including all major print media, over 700 NGOs, blogs, and newsletters.

Seglet, @SEGlet
Seglet connects property owners with commercial and individual users interested in renting or profit-sharing rooftops to generate new forms of solar energy, urban agriculture, wind energy, and more.

SolaDyne Capital
SolaDyne Capital is a hybrid engineering–finance firm that develops and implements units in a renewable energy efficient system for institutional, corporate, and government clients.

Solar Mosaic, @solarmosaic
Promoting clean, renewable energy, Solar Mosaic brings people together to build community solar projects on building that have the ideal roofs and space.

Spinlister, @Spinlister
Spinlister is a bike rental marketplace that allows you to find a great bike to rent or list your bike to earn cash, connecting individuals who wish to travel and explore in an environmentally friendly way.

Transonic Combustion
Transonic Combustion is a revolutionary combustion system enabled by injecting supercritical fuel directly into the combustion chamber, achieving significant fuel efficiency improvements for globally sustainable transportation.

Ceres Releases CA Job Growth Numbers from Federal MPG Standard; Results of New Report Showing Economic Benefits of Strong MPG

11.10.2011 - 04:06PM

Ceres, a national coalition of investors, Fortune 500 businesses and public-interest organizations, today released California economic impact data found in "More Jobs Per Gallon," an economic analysis by the independent firm Management Information Services, Inc. that quantifies what stronger fuel economy/GHG standards would mean for California and the U.S. economy.

The Obama Administration is expected to announce its draft rule to increase fuel economy to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 and strengthen greenhouse gas emissions standards for light-duty vehicles in mid-November. At the same time, California plans to release an outline for updating its clean cars program that would also strengthen standards to reduce carbon emissions from light-duty vehicles sold in the state.

“It’s time to shift our economy into high gear,” said Ceres president, Mindy Lubber. “The facts are clear: strong fuel economy standards would boost California’s economy, unleash American innovation and protect American auto jobs.”

Key California findings include:

The 54.5 mpg standard would create more than 57,300 new jobs in California, making it #1 among all states in terms of total new jobs created;
The 54.5 mpg standard would boost California’s GDP by about $3.67 billion; California would be ranked third in terms of total GDP growth resulting from the standards;
Across the United States, the 54.5 mpg standard would create about 484,000 new jobs;
43,000 of these new jobs would be in the auto industry and 49 states would see net gains in employment.

Reaching 54.5 mpg by 2025 means cars would be required to average a 5 percent improvement in fuel economy each year from 2017 through 2025, while trucks would only need to rise 3.5 percent a year through 2021. This most closely aligns with the 4 percent per year improvement for CAFE mileage and GHG emission reduction in the Ceres report.

For more details on CA data visit: http://www.ceres.org/files/report-fact-sheets/more-jobs-fact-sheets/california

To read the full report visit: http://www.ceres.org/press/press-releases/more-jobs-per-gallon

New Report Shows Wide Disparities in Energy Efficiency Programs of 50 U.S. Electric Utilities

11.10.2011 - 12:03PM

A new report comparing the energy efficiency programs of 50 electric utility companies shows wide disparities in how much money U.S. utilities are investing in energy efficiency programs, and how successful those programs are at saving energy.

Major utilities, such as National Grid subsidiaries Massachusetts Electric and Narragansett Electric, and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), are investing up to $4.80 per megawatt-hour of retail electricity sales in energy efficiency programs, according to data furnished by utilities to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). That’s nearly 50 times more than some utilities spent in the same year, including United Electric Coop Service in Texas, and Southern Company subsidiaries Alabama Power and Georgia Power which all spent less than $0.10 (10 cents) per megawatt-hour of retail electricity sales in 2009.

The 50 utilities evaluated in the report achieved energy savings ranging from less than 0.1 percent of total retail sales on the low end to nearly 2 percent of total retail sales on the high end. The 10 highest-ranked utilities all achieved energy savings equal to 1 percent or more of their annual electricity sales.

“Energy efficiency provides multiple benefits, from job creation and energy bill savings to air pollution emission reduction benefits. This benchmarking report illustrates that while some utilities are aggressively pursuing energy efficiency, other utilities need to ramp up their efforts,” said Dan Bakal, director, Electric Power Programs, Ceres.

The report further shows that state policies that remove unintended disincentives for a utility to pursue energy efficiency are major drivers of utility spending, particularly for regulated, investor-owned utilities. Among the 50 utilities studied, there was a general positive correlation between the strength of state efficiency policy and the level of investment and savings; though there were exceptions to the trend.

Ohio, for example, passed an energy efficiency standard in 2008 requiring the state’s investor-owned utilities to achieve savings of 1 percent of annual electricity sales by 2014 and 2 percent by 2019. Ohio Power, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, and Duke Energy Ohio demonstrated strong performance in 2010, achieving 140 percent and 280 percent, respectively, of their statutory targets. By contrast, Ohio Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., claimed to achieve only 60 percent of its 2010 statutory benchmark. Moreover, Ohio Edison’s savings were largely due to programs that already existed before the efficiency standard was passed, while AEP and especially Duke launched new programs.

“The three policies necessary for utilities to aggressively implement energy efficiency programs include a commitment to pursue all cost-effective energy savings, decoupling of utilities’ financial health from increases in electricity use, and performance-based financial incentives for utilities to achieve energy efficiency gains,” said Ralph Cavanagh, Energy Program Co-Director, NRDC.

Energy Efficiency Initiatives Help Utilities Comply with Clean Air Standards
The report examines more recent utility efficiency programs that are not reflected in the EIA’s 2009 dataset and found that many states and utilities have been expanding their investments in energy efficiency, though it is still an underutilized resource. In fact, total ratepayer energy efficiency spending in the U.S. is projected to increase from $5.4 billion in 2009 to $12.4 billion by 2020. For example:

TVA set a goal in 2010 to lead the Southeast in increased energy efficiency by achieving 3.5 percent of its electricity sales in energy efficiency savings by 2015.
PacifiCorp has completed a new resource plan for its multi-state service area that includes Utah and Wyoming. By 2020, energy efficiency and load management measures and programs are projected to provide about 13% of system capacity and 11% of energy within the company’s total resource mix.

These companies, and others like them, are expanding energy efficiency programs to diversify their strategies to lower overall energy demand while providing cleaner, low-carbon electricity. In this paradigm shift, many U.S. utilities are also retiring aging power plants and fuel switching to cleaner energy sources. These initiatives will help the utilities more readily comply with new air pollution emission standards and foreseeable climate regulations.

Benchmarking Methodology
The Benchmarking Energy Efficiency report analyzes 2009 data submitted by electric utilities to the EIA, focusing on energy efficiency expenditures and energy savings. Utilities were selected to represent a broad cross-section of the nation’s utilities based on a range of factors including geographic region, total electricity deliveries and electricity rates, ownership type and regulatory structure. The report provides detailed summaries of company-by-company expenditures and energy savings.

Comparing efficiency programs of utilities that operate in different states and policy regimes presents considerable challenges even though state level oversight of utility energy efficiency programs is robust. Factors that confound comparisons between utility efficiency programs include differences in measuring and accounting for energy savings; regulatory structures; geographic region of operation; customer composition; electricity rates; and utility energy efficiency program implementation experience.

Nevertheless, “Benchmarking efficiency investment levels and energy savings provides valuable information that utilities, regulators, consumer groups, and environmental advocates can use to assess the effectiveness of a states’ energy policies to harness low cost efficiency resources,” said Sam Krasnow, Federal Program & U.S. Outreach Director, ENE (Environment Northeast).

Best and Worst Ranked Utilities
Utilities joining Pacific Electric and Gas and National Grid subsidiaries in the top 10 for energy savings include Southern California Edison, Nevada Power, Idaho Power, Seattle City Light, Salt River Project, and Interstate Power & Light. Rounding out the bottom 10 were First Energy subsidiaries Metropolitan Edison and Ohio Edison, Southern Company subsidiaries Georgia Power, Alabama Power and Mississippi Power and Duke subsidiary Duke Energy Indiana.

The report was released by:
Ceres is a national coalition of investors and environmental groups working with companies to address sustainability challenges such as climate change. Ceres directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), a network of 90-plus institutional investors in the U.S. that collectively manage nearly $10 trillion in assets. www.ceres.org

M.J. Bradley & Associates, LLC. provides strategic and technical advisory services to address a range of energy and environmental matters, including energy policy, regulatory compliance, emission markets, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and advanced technologies. Our multi-national client base includes electric and natural gas utilities, major transportation fleet operators, clean technology firms, environmental groups and government agencies. www.mjbradley.com

2011 Green Jobs Award Honorees Announced

11.08.2011 - 10:00AM

On November 10th from 6PM to 8 PM, SJF Institute will recognize the 2011 Green Jobs Award honorees at a reception at the Citi Executive Conference Center keynoted by Jonathan Greenblatt, the Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation. The Green Jobs Award honors private businesses that contribute to both the economy and the environment. Applicants are judged on their contribution to environmental quality, the quality of their jobs and benefits, the diversity of employment opportunities, and their level of community engagement.

As noted in the recent Brookings Institute report, Sizing the Clean Economy, the emerging clean economy is challenged, in part, by a lack of standard definitions and examples. The Green Jobs Award program and recipients of the award are crucial in helping to provide needed examples and best practices within the green jobs sector.

The 2011 Green Jobs Award honorees are: Better World Books, Pacific Biodiesel, Power Partners Inc., Sacred Power Corporation, SolarCity, Sungevity, and The Taylor Companies (see brief summaries of each below). These firms are based in Georgia, Ohio, New Mexico, California, and Hawaii, with operations in many other states, and represent diverse industries - from traditional industry innovators, to renewable energy and energy efficiency, to consumer products. Together the companies employ more than 2,540 people and their aggregate revenue exceeds $150 million.

"These seven exemplary companies show you can have true sustainability while creating real, quality jobs at all levels," said Bonny Moellenbrock, SJF Institute Executive Director. "By acknowledging the tremendous work these companies are doing, we hope to both support their efforts and inspire other businesses to follow their lead."

The Green Jobs Award is made possible by the support of the Citi Foundation, which is sponsoring the program for the second straight year.

"The Citi Foundation is proud to support the 2011 Green Jobs Awards," said Pam Flaherty, CEO and President of the Citi Foundation. "These seven honorees demonstrate that a triple bottom line business strategy can be successful for any size organization. As the U.S. strives to create more high quality employment opportunities, these businesses are contributing to this effort in a way that also adds value to the environment and our communities."

Green Jobs Award sponsors include iContact, Tides, and Southern Energy Management. In addition, Service Sponsor B Lab helped identify Certified B Corporation Service Partners to provide complimentary business services to the Award winners. Service Partners include Adam Shay CPA, PLLC, Beyond the Bottom Line, Big Vision Media Group, Compass(x) Strategy, Conscious Brands, Green Retirement Plans, Hanson Bridgett, Relevance, Restorative Leadership Institute, Social(k), Springleaf Strategies, and Thinkshift Communications.

Press and other attendees can register for the event at www.greenjobsaward.org. Press passes are available.

Awardee Summaries:

Better World Books (Alpharetta, Georgia) – With three additional locations in Indiana and another in Edinburgh, Scotland, Better World Books is an online book resale company with 349 employees that also supports literacy efforts worldwide.

Pacific Biodiesel (Kahului, Hawaii) – With an additional location in Honolulu, Pacific Biodiesel operated the first retail biodiesel pump in America, and now produces and sells approximately 1 million gallons of ASTM standard biodiesel annually in Hawaii. Founders Kelly and Bob King partnered with Willie and Annie Nelson and Darryl Hannah in 2007 to create the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance.

Power Partners (Athens, Georgia) – Power Partners manufactures pole-type distribution transformers, solar water heaters, and adsorption chillers while creating 360 great jobs with benefits and lean manufacturing training.

Sacred Power (Albuquerque, New Mexico) – A Native American-owned firm, Sacred Power manufactures and deploys patented remote power systems, energy efficient telecommunication shelters, and grid-tied photovoltaic carports to remote Native American homes that otherwise might be without power and refrigeration.

SolarCity (San Mateo, CA) – A full service solar provider with 25 business locations around the U.S., SolarCity is growing rapidly with over 1,350 employees and more than 15,000 projects completed or underway in 10 states.

Sungevity (Oakland, CA) – With an additional Berkeley location, Sungevity is a residential solar installer that has pioneered an online 24-hour iQuote process allowing it to use satellite images and aerial photography to assess customers' roofs remotely. The firm offers great pay and excellent benefits for its 240 fully-engaged employees.

The Taylor Companies (Bedford, Ohio) – With a second location in Lynwood, California, Taylor is a seventh generation furniture manufacturer and a green pioneer in a traditional industry. Taylor is the first furniture manufacturer member of The Climate Registry; the firm publishes its greenhouse gas emissions and other key sustainability information on a Sustainability Facts Label that is included with all its products.

About SJF Institute
SJF Institute connects, inspires and accelerates impact entrepreneurs and the fields that support them. The Institute empowers companies that provide sustainable solutions and build workplaces where employees can grow and thrive, and works with investors, foundations, and corporations who believe in the power of entrepreneurship to change the world for the better. To learn more, visit www.sjfinstitute.org.

About the Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation is committed to the economic empowerment and financial inclusion of low- to moderate-income individuals and families in the communities where we work so that they can improve their standard of living. Globally, the Citi Foundation targets its strategic giving to priority focus areas: Microfinance, Enterprise Development, College Success, and Financial Capability and Asset Building. In the United States, the Citi Foundation also supports Neighborhood Revitalization programs. The Citi Foundation works with its partners in Microfinance, Enterprise Development, and Neighborhood Revitalization to support environmental programs and innovations. Additional information can be found at www.citifoundation.com.

4th Annual Clean Energy Connections Conference and Opportunity Fair

09.23.2011 - 05:39PM

The 4th annual Clean Energy Connections Conference & Opportunity Fair - Building on Success is CleantechWEST and is the region’s premier cleantech networking and economic development event. Located less than two hours from Albany, Boston, and Hartford, Clean Energy Connections brings together different sectors of the green economy – defined fairly broadly – to understand the trends, potential, and opportunities for growth of this triple bottom line sector. Hundreds of people and scores of companies, organizations, and institutions of higher education come together to attend a great program and an inspiring trade show-like fair of these cleantech resources and practitioners.

Join the hundreds of other individuals, like you – business owners, entrepreneurs, financiers, educators, career seekers, community leaders, and public servants – who want to see the promise of the green economy turn into reality. Register NOW!

On Wednesday, November 2, you will:

ACCESS resources to build your green business.
MEET entrepreneurs, policymakers, and cleantech experts.
LEARN about the clean energy economy.

Check out the program online for a full listing of who is speaking, who is exhibiting at the Opportunity Fair, and register today by clicking the links in the left sidebar.

This is event is organized by UMass Amherst and made possible by the generosity and vision of SPONSORS including WMECO, WGBY, PeoplesBank, STCC Technology Park, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Holyoke Gas & Electric, Mass High Tech, and more, and many non-profit affiliate sponsors.

Envirotech and Clean Energy Investor Summit

05.25.2011 - 10:07AM

New Energy World Network's Envirotech & Clean Energy Investor Summit has established itself as the foremost event for networking with the industry's most active and influential investment decision-makers, experts, company leaders, entrepreneurs and technology pioneers.

With attendance capped at 500 delegates the Summit has become Europe's largest investor event for renewable energy and clean technology.

JOIN THE VERY BEST COMPANIES:

The most highly regarded project developers
The most exciting up-and-coming renewable energy and cleantech companies
The most active blue-chip energy companies
The leading and most influential investors, financiers and deal-makers

Don't miss out on the opportunity to connect and network with the industry's most successful and promising companies along with the leading investors, financiers and deal-makers.

The Business Response to Climate Change

02.01.2011 - 01:27PM

The Business Response to Climate Change is a student-organized conference that will explore how forward-thinking businesses seize market opportunities for clean technologies. Featured guests include keynote speaker David Rothkopf of consulting firm Garten Rothkopf, Keith Curtis of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Scott Sklar of The Stella Group, and George A. Pickart of GE Energy. The conference will examine how clean technologies can be financed and commercialized, the challenges and benefits to collaboration with energy industry partners overseas and the opportunities to apply energy solutions to the climate change challenge.

The goal of the conference is to inspire the business leaders of tomorrow to think about ways that they can drive tomorrow's energy strategies, and use the power of business to create lasting social and environmental good.

Students can register for the conference at a discounted rate.

http://registerbusinessresponse.eventbrite.com/

The conference is hosted by The George Washington University and is organized in collaboration with Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins SAIS and the F. David Fowler Career Center.

Symposium 2010: Data Center Efficiency & Green Enterprise IT

05.06.2010 - 11:56AM

The Uptime Institute Symposium, one of the most influential events on the IT industry and data center operator calendar, is the only event focused entirely on data center efficiency and green enterprise IT.

The Symposium attracts stakeholders in enterprise IT, finance, executive management, data center facilities, and corporate real estate to deal with the critical issues surrounding enterprise computing, resource and energy efficiency, availability and productivity.

This year's event (Hilton New York, May 17-19, 2010) will feature scores of presentations, roundtables, and panel discussions, as well as opportunities to book time with peers, leading analysts and consultants. There will also be an exhibition hall with hundreds of products aimed at improving energy and resource efficiency in the data center and beyond.

The Symposium also plays host to the annual Green Enterprise IT Awards.

Green IT Economic Summit

04.08.2010 - 05:52PM

Join us Thursday, April 22nd in Tysons Corner for an International Green IT Economic Summit to learn how you can reduce the energy demands of your organization's Infrastructure through PC Power Management, server consolidation and dynamic management of computer assets across a pool of servers.

Attendees of this Green IT Economic Summit 2010 will learn how Green Technology initiatives can:

Reduce energy costs by 80%
Power down servers without affecting applications or users
Green your datacenter while decreasing costs and improving service levels
How can IT, often the largest energy consumer, both directly and with its enormous cooling needs, keep leaping costs within limits?
How can it contain escalating equipment costs by optimizing business processes through swift consolidation of servers and storage?
With data center capacity doubling every five years with soaring demand, how can Green IT drastically reduce the need for expansion and demand for space?
How can business manage carbon emissions with exciting new technologies such as shipping logistics planning coupled with supply chain management?
By rapid technology turnover and by midwifing other green processes – virtual travel and client interface and telecommuting – how can Green IT meet the UN goal of reconciling current progress with future responsibility?
How do the private and public sectors alike meet the clamorous demand for higher standards of social and environmental responsibility and function viably?

Empire State Feed-In Tariff: A Policy to make New York a Clean Energy Capital What it means for investors and how you can help make it happen.

01.26.2010 - 09:45AM

CLEAN ENERGY WEEK: NYC Event
media sponsor: CSRwire

DETAILS:
Empire State Feed-In Tariff:
A Policy to make New York a Clean Energy Capital
What it means for investors and how you can help make it happen.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Cooper Union Great Hall, 41 Cooper Square, NYC (map)

. . . PROGRAM . . .Keynote address: 6:30–7:00
Featuring the Sponsors of Current State Feed-In Tariff Legislation
New York State Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi
New York State Senator Antoine Thompson
Panel discussion: 7:00–8:30

Panelists
John Burges, Managing Director, Knight Capital Markets (New York, NY)
Deborah Doncaster, Executive Director, Community Power Fund (Ontario, CA)
Nils Mellquist, Senior Research Analyst, Deutsche Bank Climate Change Advisors (New York, NY)
Wilson Rickerson, President, Rickerson Energy Strategies (Boston, MA)
Networking reception: 8:30–9:30. . .

About . . .
The world’s most advanced and profitable clean energy markets didn’t come to lead by accident. Rather, strategic commitments to long-term financial incentive policies that are designed to drive investment and rapidly scale viable, clean technologies directly account for their dominance.

The feed-in tariff is the policy approach that has proven to be the most effective in stimulating clean power adoption, generating jobs and driving down costs. Widely adopted in Europe and now emerging in force across North America, feed-in tariffs enable clean power generators of various sizes, deploying a variety of technologies, to sell their power over the long–term at rates that guarantee attractive and predictable returns.

In this event members of the New York State Legislature will join a prestigious panel of policy experts, financiers and clean energy investors from throughout North America to illustrate the case for a local Empire State Feed-In Tariff. The policy’s implications for investment and finance will form the core of the discussion, and recently introduced feed-in tariff legislation will be analyzed in reference to case studies from around the globe.

. . . RSVP . . .
Cost: $30 for members, $40 for non-members
Reserve your spot through secure payment at PayPal below
OR RSVP and pay at the door: wyldon1@gmail.com
Download the flyer.

. . . Panel Bios . . .
John Burges is Managing Director at Knight Capital Markets, the largest securities trading institution in North America. He previously worked at Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch as a Director in their energy investment banking practice. He was Chairman of a private equity backed independent power company with 450 MW of gas fired power generation. He was co-head of a private equity investment company based in the Middle East that invested across the energy spectrum including in the solar sector. He has founded various renewable energy advocacy groups. John has an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA (Hons) from Bristol University, England.

Deborah Doncaster is currently the Executive Director of the Community Power Fund and has held this position for 1 year since the founding of the organization in March 2007. Before the Community Power Fund, Deborah was the founding Executive Director of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) which was founded in 1999. Prior to OSEA, Deborah was a Project Manager at the Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative who built Canada's first community-based, co-operatively owned wind turbine on the Toronto Waterfront. Deborah has recently assumed a new role as Campaign Director of the Green Energy Act Campaign for Ontario. Deborah holds Master's degrees in Law from Carleton University and an Environmental Planning degree from York University. Deborah lives in Toronto with her husband Ben and four year old son Devon.

Nils Mellquist is a Vice President at DeAM and Senior Research Analyst on the DBCCA investment research team, based in New York. Mr. Mellquist leads many of the strategic and research efforts for the team in the energy sector. He has substantial domain expertise as an investor and analyst assessing the economics, finance and industry fundamentals of climate change sectors.

Mr. Mellquist joined DeAm in 2009 with over 16 years Wall Street experience. From 2004-2008, Mr. Mellquist was a Senior Equity Analyst at AllianceBernstein, where he covered the utility and coal sectors for a $30 billion analyst-driven investment fund. Prior to transitioning to a coverage analyst role at the firm, Mr. Mellquist conducted global thematic research on the investment implications of climate change in the firm’s Research on Strategic Change unit and was the lead author and analyst on a comprehensive 125 page study: “Abating Climate Change: What Will be Done and the Consequences for Investors.”

Previously, Mr. Mellquist was a Director and Investment Strategist in the U.S. equity research department at Citigroup and a member of its Investment Policy Committee. Earlier in his career, he was an emerging markets strategist covering Latin American and Asian equities for Salomon Smith Barney’s Private Client Division. Mr. Mellquist also worked at J&W Seligman.

Mr. Mellquist has shared his research insights with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including the White House Council of Economic Advisors, the National Association of Regulated Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST).

Mr. Mellquist graduated from Oberlin College with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and is a FINRA registered supervisory analyst and principal.

Wilson Rickerson is Executive Vice President at Meister Consultants Group (MCG) and is responsible for the firm's international climate and energy practice. Mr. Rickerson is an expert in renewable energy policy design, and has conducted feed-in tariff analyses for a broad range of organizations, including Deutsche Bank, SEMI, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the California Energy Commission, and the Hawaiian Electric Company. Prior ot his work with MCG, he served as Policy Advisor to the Center for Sustainable Energy at Bronx Community College, where he coordinated CUNY's Million Solar Roofs Initaitive. He hold a Masters in Energy and Environmental Policy from the University of Delaware and an undergraduate degree in International Relations from the College of William & Mary.

The New York Solar Energy Society (NYSES) promotes solar and other renewables through public outreach and education. It is a source of sound technical knowledge and provies a forum to address critical state, regional and national issues relating to energy.

. . . Payments . . .
Members
$30
Non-Members
$40

Clean Energy Week

01.25.2010 - 05:23PM

Over 100 national organizations call for rapid implementation of clean energy policy and legislation
http://www.cleanenergyweek.org/

Clean Energy Week Press Conference:
February 1, 9:30 am
National Press Club
Washington DC

Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Forum:
February 4, 6:30 pm
Cooper Union
New York City

Complete list of events: http://www.cleanenergyweek.org/schedule.php

Clean Energy Week, February 1-5, highlights:

February 1: Clean Energy Week Press Conference - Presented by ACORE, Alliance to Save Energy, and the Clean Economy Network. National Press Club, Holeman Room, 9:30am

February 1-5: NASEO State Energy Policy and Technology Outlook Conference

February 2-3: Business Advocacy Day for Jobs, Climate & New Energy Leadership - Clean Economy Network and Ceres' Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy. More Information

February 3-5: RETECH 2010 Conference & Exhibition, Washington DC Convention Center

February 4: Finance Education Day by the U.S. Partnership for Renewable Energy Finance (US PREF)

February 4: Clean Energy Breakfast Roundtable - with Special Hill Guest Speaker. 8am (Clean Technology & Sustainable Industries Organization, Clean Economy Network and K&L Gates). Please contact CTSI or community@ct-si.org for an invite. Free with Invite

February 4: Renewable Energy Interactive Webinar (World Team Now) - 2:30-4pm. For more information and to register. Free Webinar

February 4: Buy Clean Energy 2010 Program Launch (Center for Resource Solutions). More information available! - Open Opportunity

February 4: A cutting-edge feed-in tariff that has the potential to transform New York State into a leading center for renewable-energy investment and job creation will be discussed in a public forum at the Cooper Union’s Great Hall in NYC at 6:30 p.m. http://www.nyses.org

February 5: Opportunities and Challenges for Renewable Energy in Latin America and the Caribbean (Latin American and Caribbean Council on Renewable Energy - LAC-CORE, Washington Convention Center: For more information and to register. Free Event

Webinar: Chemicals Policy Reform and its Importance for Business

11.06.2009 - 09:51AM

On Friday, November 13 at 11 am PST, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, the Business NGO Working Group for Safer Chemicals and Sustainable Materials and the American Sustainable Business Council will host a webinar on chemicals policy reform and its importance for business.

Click here to register for the Webinar

This webinar will provide an opportunity to understand The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and its reform as well as to hear from some leading businesses on why policy reform is important to them.

The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 is broken. The U.S. EPA has only required testing on about 200 of the more than 82,000 chemicals that have been on the market since the law passed in 1976. Federal action is needed.

For the first time in decades, we have a real opportunity to fix this problem at its source- and to start to rebuild our economy based on safer chemicals, materials and products that protect future generations from serious health and environmental harm. Downstream users of chemicals are now demanding federal change. It is time to pass a strong bill to reform TSCA-and start putting common-sense limits on toxic chemicals.

Click here to register for the Webinar

The Joint Conference: International Thermal Treatment Technologies & Hazardous Waste Combustors

05.18.2009 - 12:00AM

The Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) will present "The Joint Conference: International Thermal Treatment Technologies (IT3) & Hazardous Waste Combustors (HWC)," May 18-22, 2009, in Cincinnati, OH.

Industry experts involved with thermal treatment technologies for the management of hazardous, radioactive, mixed, munitions, medical/pharmaceutical, and municipal wastes will discuss practical applications of technical and scientific advances in the field.

The Joint Conference will also offer invited and contributed papers that address approaches to safely managing waste streams amenable to thermal treatment processes, and evaluate their associated costs, risks, and impacts. There will be a particular focus on hazardous waste management including HWC Maximum Achievable Control Technology status and policy updates, emission studies, testing and monitoring approaches, and risk assessment updates.

Visit www.awma.org/IT3 for more information, or to register.

Carbon TradeEx America 2009

04.07.2009 - 12:00AM

Carbon TradeEx America 2009
April 7-8, 2009
E. Walter Washington Convention Center
Washington DC
www.carbontradeex.com

Event Hosts: Koelnmesse Inc. and Carbon Markets and Investor Association

Description: Carbon TradeEx is setting the stage to become the leading Trade Show and Conference in North America serving international business, finance, technology,
venture capital, government communities in abatement, trading, monitoring, crediting and compliance of carbon emissions. Industry, technology and service providers in
the carbon business as well as government agencies from developing countries will be among the exhibitors. Carbon TradeEx is expected to attract attendees such
as Carbon Traders, Financial Institutions, Corporate Representatives, Venture Capital Funds, Project Developers, Technology Providers Research & Development
Departments, Science Institutes and Universities. The event follows the successful launch of the March 2008 event in San Francisco which generated 1,400 conference delegates and 80 exhibitors.

Webinar: How to Green Your IT

03.03.2009 - 11:00PM

Information technology is an essential component of every organization's infrastructure, but also an area with significant environmental impacts. E-waste in landfills, toxic chemicals from computers and peripherals, rising energy costs and climate change emissions--these are all problems you can't afford to ignore. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate your impacts.

In this 60-minute presentation you'll learn:

- How to assess your organization's IT impact,
- Benefits and opportunities around implementing Green IT practices
- Getting started with our five-step process for implementing a Green IT program
- Where to find resources to help you get started

Clean Energy Career Panel & Job Fair

11.18.2008 - 11:00PM

CLEAN ENERGY CAREER PANEL
2:00 - 3:15 PM

Thinking about a career in the Clean Energy field? Wondering what's "hot" and what's only "hype" in this growing sector? Participate in the Career Panel & Job Fair to navigate careers in the Clean Energy sector. Experts in venture capital, workforce development and other industry leaders will share their views on industry trends, skill demands and career development strategies.

Moderator:
Wanda Reindorf, New England Clean Energy Council - Workforce Development Committee

Panelists:
David Danielson, General Catalyst Partners
Kevin Doyle, Principal, Green Economy
Matthew Richards, Managing Director, DanePartners

JOB FAIR
3:00 - 6:30 PM