About a month ago I wrote that a big announcement was coming on the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency. Well, it happened as predicted on July 31. More than 50 leading organizations joined together to develop the plan, which aims to help states and utilities overcome barriers that limit investment in energy efficiency. The action plan was developed with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and with the participation of electric and gas utilities, utility regulators, state agencies, large energy users, consumer advocates, energy service providers, and environmental and energy efficiency organizations. On the day of the announcement, 72 organizations in 33 states also announced commitments to increase their investments in energy efficiency. The plan builds upon best practices from successful energy efficiency programs already operating in many areas. It recommends recognizing energy efficiency as a high-priority energy resource; making a strong, long-term commitment to implementing cost-effective energy efficiency as a resource; broadly communicating the benefits of and opportunities for energy efficiency; promoting sufficient, timely and stable program funding to deliver energy efficiency where cost-effective; and modifying policies and rate making practices to encourage utilities to invest in energy efficiency. The action plan and other related documents on the EPA website.

Posted by Pink Panther Energy Activism , Energy News at 11:17 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Built Green Colorado is an organization well worth knowing about whether you are a builder, government official or consumer. It is a model for how cooperative efforts can enhance education and encourage the construction of environmentally friendly, energy-efficient homes. Introduced in 1995, Built Green Colorado was created by the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver, The Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation, Xcel Energy and E-Star Colorado. In January 2000 the organization announced its transition to becoming the first privately funded statewide green building program in the country. Today it remains the largest green building program in the nation with more than 100 builder members, 45 sponsor members and eight industry leader sponsors. A voluntary program, Built Green Colorado encourages homebuilders to use technologies, products and practices that will provide greater energy efficiency and reduce pollution, provide healthier indoor air, reduce water usage, preserve natural resources and improve durability and reduce maintenance. The group's checklist and guide for 2006 can be found online.

Posted by Pink Panther Energy Activism , Green Design , Online Energy Resources at 10:09 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I hope you had a nice Earth Day. Before I move on to other topics I would like to make three parting comments related to Earth Day 2006. The first is to note how the event has become a truly global. My surfing of the Web found news articles about Earth Day and its activities in Brunei Darussalam, Canada, India, The Netherlands, Uzbekistan and other countries. The second is a salute to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for selecting the top 10 examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions. The projects will be honored on May 3 during a presentation at the National Building Museum in Washington, and again in June at the AIA Convention in Los Angeles. What a great way to raise awareness and encourage sustainable design in the architectural community. Finally, one result of Earth Day was the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Check the EPA's Earth Day site for reports on the progress that has been made since the first Earth Day in 1970. There is more to be done, for sure, but let's not lose sight of the fact that our glass is at least partially filled with clean water.

Posted by Pink Panther Energy Activism , Online Energy Resources at 01:32 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Despite the environmental challenges our planet still faces today, we should be happy thinking about the progress that has been made since Earth Day began. We can also be pleased with the momentum that seems to be building for more progress in the future. Have you ever wondered how Earth Day got started? The answer for your inquiring mind is online at EnviroLink, the "online environmental community." The report should be pretty accurate because it was written by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day. Most people associate the beginning of Earth Day with the national celebration in 1970, but it actually traces its roots to about the time I was born in the early 1960s. Regardless of when it really started, many historians cite the event as the birth of the modern environmental movement. Check it out and have a good Earth Day.

Posted by Pink Panther in Energy Activism at 01:16 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I hope you are planning to do something special to celebrate Earth Day tomorrow. Anything you do will certainly contribute to the positive vibe we will all feel as we honor the 36th anniversary of a pivotal day in the history of our global environment. If you don't have anything special planned, check out the Web site of The Nature Conservancy. The site has two activities you can do right now. One is to share your message of hope. If you would first like to see what others have written, check out this week's Top 10. The Web site even posts honorable mentions in case 10 aren't enough. Another thing you can do at the Nature Conservancy Web site is send an E-card to friends and relatives to remind them that Earth Day is tomorrow. You might also plan some personal energy activism for tomorrow, such as keeping your lights off as much as possible, leaving the car at home and biking or walking somewhere, or turning down your thermostat (or up if you are lucky enough to live in an area where air conditioning is already being used). I'm sure you will think of something.

Posted by Pink Panther Energy Activism , Online Energy Resources at 07:25 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

You may know that Earth Day is coming soon (April 22) but do you also realize this is National Environmental Education Week? Well it is, according to the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation. The organization launched what it hoped would become the largest organized environmental education event in U.S. history. The program is intended to increase the educational impact of Earth Day by creating a full week of educational preparation, learning and activities in K-12 classrooms, nature centers, zoos, museums, and aquariums. It is a little late now to prepare for National Environmental Education Week 2006 but a good thing to put on your calendar for next year. In the meantime, you might want to check out what the site has to say about Nature-Deficit Disorder. Do you have it? Take their survey and find out.

Posted by Pink Panther in Energy Activism at 03:20 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

If yesterday's post was too modest for your taste, today's topic may be more appealing in its scope — global warming. Click on this link and learn what you can do right now to be part of the solution to global climate change. A Top 10 action-step list appears on the Earth Day Network Web site. The list is pretty good but one important item is missing — making sure your home is well insulated. After more than 25 years of experience doing insulation commercials, that omission jumps out at me. It also jumps out for the people of Owens Corning, the company that is sponsoring this blog. Thanks for visiting and please come back!

Posted by Pink Panther Energy Activism , Energy Efficiency Tips , Online Energy Resources at 03:17 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)