Norman Dean, TopTen USA Executive Director

Norman L. Dean, former Executive Director of Friends of the Earth and CEO of Green Seal, has been named to head the newly formed non-profit environmental consumer organization TopTen USA. TopTen USA is part of a global effort, first launched in Europe (http://www.topten.info), to accelerate innovation at the cutting edge of energy efficiency. Mr. Dean will serve as the organization's first President and Executive Director.

Mr. Dean is an attorney and experienced non-profit leader who was instrumental in the creation of three other organizations. He is currently Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Ceres, the largest coalition of investors, environmental and public interest organizations in North America.

TopTen will continuously identify the 10 "best" products available in selected product categories with energy efficiency as the key criterion. The products will include appliances, electronics, office equipment, heating and cooling devices, lighting and vehicles. Beginning early next year, Top Ten USA qualified products will be listed on the organization's web site along with estimates of how much energy and money each listed product will save, and information on any available rebates, tax credits or deductions. By updating the top 10 product lists on review cycles that ensure that the most current products are always reflected on the site, the TopTen USA Web site will showcase highly efficient new products soon after they become available.

Susan Coakley, Chairperson of the TopTen USA Board and Executive Director of the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (http://www.neep.org) noted that Dean "brings to TopTen USA deep knowledge of and skills in the use of internet-based consumer resources, an understanding of product standards, a passion for energy efficiency as the key path to carbon neutrality and a wide range of connections to funders and other resources important to TopTen USA’s success."

Noah Horowitz, TopTen USA's Vice Chair and Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's Center for Energy Efficiency Standards (http://www.nrdc.org), praised Dean's appointment, noting that under his leadership, "We expect TopTen USA to become the go to place for consumers and institutions to identify the truly most efficient models available on the market. Purchasers of Top Ten USA qualified products will maximize their energy savings, cut their electric bills and help reduce our nation's global warming pollution. The program will compliment the existing ENERGY STAR program and serve as a valuable resource for utilities, retailers, and others trying to cut wasteful energy use."

Duane Larson, a Director at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (http://www.pge.com) and a member of the TopTen Board of Directors, said "at Pacific Gas and Electric, we understand that investing in energy efficiency is better for the environment and less costly than building new power plants. This is why we support the efforts of TopTen USA to identify the most energy efficient products."

Richard Moss, Vice President & Managing Director of the US Climate Change Program at World Wildlife (http://www.worldwildlife.org), who helped found the new organization, stated that "the appointment of Norman Dean as TopTen USA's first CEO, is a key step in our efforts to dramatically improve product energy efficiency as a strategy for tackling global warming. It is critically important that we speed the pace of product innovation if we are to stabilize the climate." Moss went on to state, "improving energy efficiency is also a critical step in improving our nation's security."

Claire Fulenwider, Executive Director of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (http://www.nwalliance.org) and a TopTen Board Member said that "We look forward to working with Dean to bring TopTen USA to the Northwest as part of the Alliance's initiative to make the most energy-efficient consumer electronics and appliances the preferred consumer choice as a core strategy to offset projected load growth and carbon emissions in the Northwest."

Prior to joining TopTen USA, Mr. Dean held numerous leadership positions. In addition to serving as Executive Director of Friends of the Earth and CEO of Green Seal, the nation's first environmental labeling program, Dean was on the senior management team of the global warming software company Cooler, headed the conservation and education programs of the National Wildlife Federation, and co-founded the Center for Y2K and Society.

Mr. Dean is the author and co-author of several books and articles on energy and the environment.

A graduate of Yale University and Georgetown University Law Center, Mr. Dean lives in Takoma Park, Maryland.

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships

For the industry, communities, businesses, and policy makers in the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic regions, NEEP is a non-profit organization that transforms the way we use and think about energy. We work in the region to remove the greatest barriers to the advancement of energy efficiency and make visible its impacts on the region, economy, the planet. We focus on areas where energy efficiency can have the most immediate and largest impact: reducing energy in buildings, speeding the adoption of smart products, and advancing knowledge and best practices. Our unique approach brings together all stakeholders through education, advocacy, and collaboration - three powerful ingredients essential to true market transformation.

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