A comprehensive building labeling and benchmarking program proposed for the United States could save approximately 1.6 quads (that’s 468,000 gigawatt hours) of energy and US$60 billion between 2014 and 2030. Just one of the measures in a report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) which is highlighting 16 policies that remove market barriers across the economy to investments in energy efficiency. Meanwhile the Singapore government is extending water and energy efficiency labelling to more appliances, and is looking into more mandatory efficiency standards for them. Read More

Energy efficiency labelling to be extended to more appliances

By Alice Chia for Channel NewsAsia (14 March 2013):

SINGAPORE : The government is extending water and energy efficiency labelling to more appliances, and is looking into more mandatory efficiency standards for them.

Grace Fu, Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, said: “It is important for us to first of all give our consumers the necessary information about how energy-efficient products can help them to save energy costs in the long run.

“At the same time, by regulating the type of product that is being sold, we hope that we can bring in more energy-efficient products so that it will bring down the costs for consumers.”

Ms Fu was speaking at the Eco-products International Fair on Thursday.

From September, air conditioners and refrigerators sold in Singapore will have to meet stricter energy efficiency standards.

From next year, television sets will come with labels showing how energy-efficient they are, while clothes dryers and lighting must meet performance standards.

Washing machines will also have to meet a minimum water efficiency standard of one tick from April next year.

This will help consumers and businesses make informed choices and enjoy cost-savings from energy and water consumption over time.

Households will be encouraged to recycle, with more bins and collections.

The government is also considering a usage-based pricing waste disposal system.

“Save-As-You-Reduce” pilot projects will be conducted in the Punggol and Bartley areas.

They will involve a small number of HDB blocks, condominiums and landed properties, as well as the first HDB Greenprint precinct in Yuhua.

During the pilot projects, residents will be updated on how much they have recycled and thrown away.

Source: www.wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg

ACEEE Outlines 16 Policies to Remove Market Barriers to Energy Efficiency and Leverage Market Forces

Energy Efficiency Policies Could Save the U.S. Economy Almost $1 Trillion

Washington, D.C. (March 18, 2013): The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released a new report today highlighting 16 policies that remove market barriers across the economy to investments in energy efficiency. The report,

Overcoming Market Barriers and Using Market Forces to Advance Energy Efficiency , provides Congress and state policymakers with a road map to address national energy consumption through policies that could save the country approximately $1 trillion in energy bills and 19 quads in energy consumption.

The United States has made much progress in energy efficiency in the last few decades but there are still large, cost-effective opportunities available to advance efficiency even further, while improving the economy at the same time. However, a variety of market failures and market barriers contribute to keeping us from fully realizing our energy efficiency potential.

“Eliminating barriers that keep us from reducing waste is an approach both sides of the aisle can support,” said ACEEE Executive Director Steven Nadel. “By removing these barriers, Congress and state policymakers have an opportunity to let smart investments help strengthen the economy while saving the nation billions.”

The report discusses several targeted policies that leverage market mechanisms and address specific market failures to energy efficiency, without requiring substantial spending or government mandates. For example, the development of a comprehensive building labeling and benchmarking program could save approximately 1.6 quads of energy and $60 billion between 2014 and 2030. Even more impressive are the benefits gained from adjusting corporate tax legislation to encourage the replacement of inefficient equipment and from removing regulatory barriers to combined heat and power (CHP) projects. These two policies alone could reduce national energy consumption by 7 quads and save the economy close to $300 billion.

“We want to show policymakers that there are a number of cost-effective policies out there that could promote energy efficiency and kick start the economy at the same time. This report highlights a number of inventive approaches that we haven’t made much use of to date,” said lead author and ACEEE Senior Research Analyst Shruti Vaidyanathan.

The report includes policy interventions targeted at residential and commercial buildings, the industrial sector, and the transportation sector, as well as a number of policies with economy-wide benefits. For each measure, the report provides a brief description of the policy, its legislative history, general estimates of associated costs and benefits, and recommendations about future policy design.

To read the report visit: http://aceee.org/research-report/e136

About ACEEE: 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 aceee.org.