As EE Global delegates learned today, energy efficiency is transforming economies, businesses and communities all over the world through the innovation and dedication of leaders such as those honored at today’s Plenary Awards Luncheon.
Keynoted by Alliance Honorary Vice-Chair Representative Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Alliance Vice-Chair Bob Dixon of Siemens, the session brought to light a number of initiatives that warrant recognition.
Rep. Markey called attention to a number of forward-thinking policy initiatives, such as the Home Star legislation recently passed by the House, and the bill he cosponsored with Rep. Waxman (D-Calif.) last summer, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which proposes that by 2016, all buildings constructed in the U.S. must be 50 percent more energy efficient than they were in 2010.
Policy achievements aside, Rep. Markey is convinced that society can achieve even better energy efficiency, noting “the transfer of wealth” to the Middle East that results from our country’s inability to power itself independently.
He commended the award winners as being on the cutting edge of energy efficiency. “You are basically fighting the most powerful force in the world — inertia.”
Next, Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan presented the Recognition of Service Award to David Parker, soon-to-retire president of the American Gas Association (AGA). Parker’s effort to push energy efficiency to the forefront of AGA’s agenda has been for the benefit of consumers. As Callahan noted, he developed the idea for the Alliance’s “The Power is in Your Hand” campaign, which helped thousands of homeowners learn to use energy more efficiently.
Award Winners
The afternoon’s first award was given to Dr. Joseph Oteng-Adjei, minister for energy in the Republic of Ghana, who promptly credited the people of Ghana for the country’s energy efficiency gains, while noting that international cooperation between the U.S. and Ghana has helped inspire long-term energy efficiency projects, such as switching out 6 million incandescent bulbs to CFLs.
“We are grateful,” said Dr. Oteng-Adjei. “We are a small country, and make sure we optimize our limited resources with energy efficiency. We are grateful for the skills and knowledge that will support these projects. We pledge that we will take due course and move straight to that course and never, never look back.”
Representing the best of Latin America’s energy efficiency efforts this year was Hon. Jimena Bronfman, vice minister of Energy in Chile. Her country’s strategy for energy efficiency involved taking a close look at best practices in places such as California and Vermont, said the vice minister.
Recently, the Chilean government financed several projects, such as thermal retrofitting, to show consumers the benefits of energy efficiency while also educating people about energy savings and demonstrating that a little investment can go a long way.
Dr. Ajay Mathur, director general of the Government of India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency, accepted an award for spearheading the energy efficiency movement in India, where it is helping to improve the quality of life for India’s billion-plus citizens through economic growth.
Dr. Mathur says he and other energy efficiency advocates are optimizing value for money. “We are nudging people towards energy efficiency. We have learned from people all around the world. And our own country has provided support and leadership. “
On behalf of the King of Sweden, the European award winner, H.E. Jonas Hafstrom, ambassador of Sweden to the United States, remarked that energy efficiency fits precisely in the scheme of Sweden’s top priorities, which include climate change.
Moreover, the country’s efforts in the area of sustainable city planning, alternative fuels and smart grid technologies have been to the benefit of Sweden’s economy, which has grown by 54 percent in the process of reducing its energy use. Additionally, Sweden is the leading country in renewable energy, the ambassador noted, with 43 percent of its energy consumption fueled by renewable energy.
Tags: Bob Dixon, Chile, climate mitigation, emissions reductions, energy-efficient technologies, Ghana, Home Star, India, Representative Edward Markey, Siemens Industry Inc., Sweden
[...] « Recognizing Energy Efficiency’s Global Champions at the Plenary Awards Luncheon [...]
Congratulation Hon.Dr Joe Oteng Adjei The Energy Minister of Ghana for this award you have been given ,your staff,constituent,family and country is very proud of you,May God richly bless you.