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Energy Efficiency Legislative Outlook APPA February 9, 2006

Energy Efficiency Legislative Outlook APPA February 9, 2006. Kara Saul Rinaldi Director of Policy Alliance to Save Energy. Presentation Outline. About the Alliance Why Energy Efficiency – Policy drivers Federal legislative outlook Appropriations New Energy Law: Road Ahead

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Energy Efficiency Legislative Outlook APPA February 9, 2006

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  1. Energy Efficiency Legislative OutlookAPPAFebruary 9, 2006 Kara Saul Rinaldi Director of Policy Alliance to Save Energy

  2. Presentation Outline • About the Alliance • Why Energy Efficiency – Policy drivers • Federal legislative outlook • Appropriations • New Energy Law: Road Ahead • New legislation • State action

  3. What is the Alliance? • NGO coalition of prominent business, government, environmental and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit the environment, economy, and national security. • Mission: To advance energy efficiency world-wide through policy, education, research, technology deployment, market transformation and communication initiatives. • Chaired by Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) and James DeGraffenreidt (CEO Washington Gas) with strong bipartisan congressional, corporate & public interest leadership.

  4. Forging Alliances: Business, Govt. & Public Interests • Alliance enjoys sponsorship by more than 100 businesses and organizations across a broad spectrum of economic sectors • Unique structure with expertise in research, policy advocacy, education, technology deployment, and communications New Associates in 2004 & 2005: The Johanette Wallerstein Institute

  5. What Should be Driving our Energy Policy • One simple set of numbers The 2, 5, 25 Conundrum • The United States has • 2% of the World’s Oil Reserves • And • 5% of the World’s Population • But consumes • 25% of the World’s Oil

  6. Policy Drivers • High energy prices • Funding crunch • Energy bill passed last year

  7. High Energy Prices Drive Interest Based on EIA Short Term Energy Outlook: • Average heating costs this winter • Natural gas in Midwest: $1200, (up 82%) • Heating oil in Northeast: $1508, (up 69%) • Gasoline for a typical two-car household in 2006: $3000 (up 30%) ►Congress wants to do something

  8. Budget Crunch Prevents Action • Tax cuts (likely to be extended) and • Increased spending on war in Iraq, the war on terror, and Katrina/Rita rebuilding means • High deficits projected to continue and • Domestic spending caught in the middle ►Very little money left to do anything

  9. Federal Outlook

  10. Appropriations • President proposed new energy independence initiative, but Where is the money going to come from? • Funding in last four years has slowly declined, with a shift from core programs to fuel cell vehicle R&D.

  11. Budget Request for FY 2007 • Severe budget cuts across the board from FY 2006 appropriation. • Weatherization cut 32% • Building Codes Training and Assistance cut 100% • Energy Star (EPA) cut 9% ….and many more

  12. Appropriations Priorities • Shoring up cuts to existing Programs • New initiatives in EPAct 2005: • Energy Efficiency Pilot Program • State Building Energy Efficiency Codes • Energy Efficiency Public Information Initiative • Expanded duties in EPAct 2005 : • Appliance Standards • Federal Energy Management Program • Energy Star (EPA and DOE)

  13. The Road Ahead – New National Energy Policy • New Appliance Standards • New Tax Incentives • New Federal Energy Management Requirements and Authorities • New Energy Efficiency Programs Authorized

  14. The Road Ahead: Appliance Standards • Covers 15 additional commercial and residential products • Commercial refrigerators, air conditioners, coin-op washers • Residential ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, torchiere lamps • Directs DOE rulemakings for three new products • Requires DOE to report to Congress every 6 months on plans to set all standards for which they have missed legal deadlines

  15. The Road Ahead: Federal Tax Incentives

  16. But most only last two years… • Two years not long enough for market transformation. • Commercial buildings and new subdivisions cannot be planned and built in two years. • Treasury Department has not issued final rules for any of the tax incentives. ►Need to extend the tax incentives

  17. Tax Incentives for Consumers • Existing Homes: Homeowner tax credit up to $500. Available 2006-2007. • 10% of cost of insulation, doors, Energy Star roofs. • 10% of cost of windows (up to $200 credit). • Central air conditioners, water heaters, heat pumps ($300). • Furnaces and boilers ($150 + $50 for furnace fans). • Vehicles:Buyer tax credit for light-duty hybrids ranging from $250-$3400 depending on fuel economy. • Phased out after manufacturer sells 60,000. • Also credits for diesel and alternative fuel vehicles. Existing electric vehicle credit. • Solar equipment and fuel cells: 30% tax credit.

  18. Tax Incentives for Businesses • Commercial Buildings: Deduction up to $1.80/square foot for buildings designed to use 50% less energy than required by model commercial code. Available 2006-2007. • Partial deduction up to $0.60 for building envelope, HVAC and hot water, or lighting system. • Vehicles:Can use credit for light-duty hybrids and larger credit for heavy-duty hybrids. • Solar equipment and fuel cells: 30% tax credit.

  19. Tax Incentives for Builders and Manufacturers • New Homes: Builder tax credit of $2,000 for home that uses 50% less energy than model residential code; $1,000 for an Energy Star manufactured home. Available 2006-2007. • Appliances: Tax credits ranging from $50-$200 for increased production of efficient refrigerators, clothes washers & dishwashers. Available 2006-2007.

  20. The Road Ahead: Federal Energy Management • Updates energy management targets • Updates building energy standards • Requires metering of buildings • Requires procurement of energy-efficient products • Allows retention of savings • Requires congressional buildings plan • Reauthorize Energy Savings Performance Targets

  21. The Road Ahead: New Energy-Efficiency Programs Authorized • Promote state electricity and natural gas programs • Promote state building codes • Public education programs • Research and Development • Appliance rebate program • Weatherization, state energy, and community programs • Hybrid, fuel cell, railroad, aircraft, bicycling and other pilot programs But nothing happens without appropriations…

  22. “To Do” List…. • Design Legislation • Debate Legislation • Find Political Consensus • Congress Passes Bill • President Signs Bill ? Fund Programs! ? Agency Rulemakings ? Agencies Implement Programs ? Agency Studies

  23. The Big Missing Piece: Transportation • No Fuel Economy Reforms • No efforts to address America’s Oil Dependence

  24. New Federal Bills • S 2025/HR 4049, HR 4640: Oil savings targets and standards • S 2045/HR 4370: Health care for hybrids • HR 3762, S 1648: Increase CAFE standards • S 1850: Extend energy tax incentives • S 1994: Dual fueled vehicles • HR 4593-5: Federal energy management • At least two energy efficiency bills in the works …

  25. State Action In the absence of strong federal action: • Greenhouse gas cap-and-trade • Vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards • Performance standards for utility energy-efficiency programs • Appliance efficiency standards • Building energy codes

  26. Contact Us! Alliance to Save Energy 1200 18th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202.857.0666 Website: www.ase.org • Kara Saul Rinaldi, Director of Policy Direct: 202/530-4348, Kara@ase.org

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