Infographic - Saving Energy to Make Everyday Earth Day

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Event - Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum

The Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum, is subtitled the future for the Green Deal: engagement, integration and tackling fuel poverty, will take place on March 24, 2014, at Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, UK. A year on from the official launch of the Green Deal, this seminar will provide a timely opportunity to review progress and consider the way forward for the scheme in the context of the government's wider energy efficiency strategy

Guest of Honour: David Thomas, Deputy Director, Green Deal Demand, Department of Energy and Climate Change.

US Energy Efficiency in 2013: Success Stories and Barriers

Energy efficiency has played a pivotal role in American productivity improvements. In 2013, energy efficiency continued to move forward in the U.S. Driven by cost savings, energy efficiency is good for business and the economy. Improving efficiency increases production and can even lead to a higher quality of material life. Energy efficiency improves the nation’s GDP for each national energy dollar. Perhaps most importantly, energy efficiency is a meaningful part of emissions reductions, which combats climate change and improves air quality.

Despite progress, there is still a lot of room for improvement in energy efficiency. As reported in Forbes, the U.S. is the global leader in wasting energy with the nation currently wasting more energy than it uses. A total of 57 percent of the energy flowing into our economy is wasted as heat, noise, and leaks, costing U.S. businesses and households an estimated $130 billion per year. In addition to massive cost savings, it is estimated that energy efficiency can also create more than one million jobs in the U.S.

Video - National Weatherization Day: The Value of Energy Efficiency

This video is in recognition of National Weatherization Day which is an annual event that takes place on October 30th. In this 2009 video, senior government energy advisor Matt Rogers emphasizes the energy and cost benefits of improved energy efficiency - encouraging all Americans to install energy efficiency measures in their own homes - and he expresses appreciation to the nation's weatherization network for its past accomplishments and its continued commitment to serving low-income citizens.

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Weatherization Day: Energy Efficiency Resources for those in Need

Weatherization Day is celebrated on October 30, which is fitting as the days grow colder as we head towards winter. The day is intended to raise awareness about the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) which is a nationwide program that was created in 1976. Their energy mission is geared towards reducing energy use and costs for low-income families, particularly for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children, while ensuring their health and safety.

In addition to the focusing on the WAP, the day is intended to raise awareness about the work being performed by the WAP network. The DOE has also added to the focus of the day by declaring October to be Energy Awareness Month.  Continue reading to see the wide range of resources that can help to institute energy efficiency measures and communicate their value.

Event - SMi Energy from Waste Conference

The 6th annual SMi Energy from Waste Conference will take place on September 25 - 26, 2013. This event provides attendees with a complete view of the field! It will focus on policy and market updates, project deliverability, finance and investment, technological developments and the renewable heat incentive this informative event will bring together key leaders in the field to provide attendees with an in-depth look into current status of Energy from Waste.

The Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill: Jobs, the Economy and Action on Climate Change

Getting support from Republican legislators on any issue is difficult, this is especially true of bills related to climate change. However, an energy efficiency bill moving through Congress has a good chance of securing bipartisan support, and according to a new analysis, it could provide much needed economic benefits including jobs while significantly decreasing climate change causing emissions.

As reported in Cleantechnica The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013, also known as the Shaheen-Portman bill, could create hundreds of thousands of green jobs while saving consumers billions and cutting energy use and emissions.

Shaheen-Portman bill is named for sponsoring Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH). The modified bill already passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in April by a vote of 19-3. The bill promotes energy efficiency across the US economy through a mix of building codes, financing and rebates, voluntary labeling, and technical assistance. If enacted, the bill would target improvements in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, which represented two-thirds of US energy-use emissions.

Infographic - The Future of Electric Vehicles

Event - Waste Conversion Technology Conference & Trade Show

This event will take place on September 15-17, 2013 in San Diego, USA. Waste Conversion Technology Conference & Trade Show (formerly the Waste-to-Fuels Conference &  Trade Show) will review the newest advances in alternative fuel production products and services. This event provides a forum for informing the public and private sectors of the economic and environmental significance of converting waste materials to alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol as well as renewable electric energy.

US Automotive Industry: Efficient Vehicles and Sustainability Initiatives (GM, Ford & Tesla)

U.S. automakers are producing an ever increasing line-up of more efficient vehicles. However, efficiency measures in the auto industry extend beyond the vehicles they produce. American car companies must compete with more than 36 new hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) that have been or will be launched in 2013. Growing demand for highly efficient vehicles has compelled almost every brand to get into the EV market, which gives consumers an ever expanding list of vehicles to choose from.

In addition to expanded product lines, innovative sustainability measures are being adopted by automakers.  As explained by Green Car Reports, the major automakers are doing more on the sustainability front when it comes to their EV production lines. They are reducing their waste, increasing their use of solar power while reducing their energy usage.

Automotive brands are increasingly seeing value in greening their operations and products as evidenced by Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands ranking, which counted four automotive brands in the top five spots. The ranking evaluates companies based on their environmental performance and the public’s perception of their green credentials.

Infographic - Fastest Electric Vehicles on Earth

Volkswagen's Efficient Cars and Other Sustainability Efforts

According to Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands ranking, Volkswagen came in seventh. Volkswagen has an efficiency leading concept car known as the XL1. It boasts an ultra-light structure (1,750 pounds) that makes extensive use of composites, and a hybrid power train.

The 0.8-liter diesel twin produces 48 horsepower and comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). The diesel engine is assisted by a 27-hp electric motor system powered by a 5.5-kWh lithium-ion battery. All together, the power train produces 68 hp and 103 lb-ft in its 'boosting mode.'The XL1 can go 310 miles on a single charge.

BMW's Efficient Cars and Other Sustainability Efforts

The 2014 BMW i3 electric city car is part of the BMW iSeries. This series of electric cars has zero emissions and an affordable price tag. What sets the BMW iSeries apart from all other electric cars is their luxury and modernity as well as their technological sophistication thanks to a novel partnership with Apple.

The i3 is a four-door made out of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). About 25 percent of the plastics used inside the car are recycled, and the eucalyptus wood veneers used on the trim are "responsibly harvested." The door trims and instrument-panel surround also use fibers from the kenaf plant, an increasingly popular sustainable element in car interiors.

Nissan's Efficient Cars and Other Sustainability Efforts

According to Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands, Nissan ranked fifth. The Leaf is the most widely sold electric passenger car of all time. In February, 2013, the company announced that it had produced 50,000 LEAFs. The Leaf boasts a fuel efficiency rating of 115 MPGe and the EPA rated 2013 Leaf's range at 75 miles on a single charge.

The Nissan Leaf, is by far the volume leader, part of what makes the Leaf so successful is the fact that it is efficient, affordable and it offers better range than most electric vehicles.

Honda's Efficient Cars and Other Sustainability Initiatives

According to Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands, Honda ranked third. The 2013 Honda Fit EV gets 118 MPGe combined (132 city and 105 highway), with a range of 82 miles. Although at present it is only available by lease, according to the EPA, it is the second most efficient electric car in the world today. However, the company is producing only 1,100 Fit EVs.

The EPA rates the 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid's electric range at 13 miles, during which its efficiency rating is 115 MPGe. After the battery is depleted, it behaves like a conventional hybrid and is rated at 46 MPG combined. It is the only mid-size sedan to boast such numbers. This plug-in uses Honda's new two-motor hybrid system, with powerful electric motors and multiple modes of operation. The plug-in hybrid Accord will be followed by the 2014 Accord Hybrid that will be launched later this fall.

Toyota's Efficient Cars and Sustainability Leadership

Toyota retained the top spot on Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands ranking for the third year running. Toyota’s 2013 Prius line is dominating the greener car market. The Toyota Prius C, a compact version of the Prius that boasts fuel economy of 53 mpg city and 46 mpg highway. The Prius is one of the best vehicles on the market in terms of tailpipe emissions.

Combined the four model variations of the Prius sold 236,659 units last year, making the vehicle the Toyota Prius the most popular hybrid car in the US. In total more than 2.9 million Prius models were sold worldwide in 2012.

Five EV/Hybrid Product Marketing Strategies

Demand for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (EVs) is growing at an ever increasing rate. A Mintel study indicated that sales of hybrids and EVs were up 73 percent in 2012. They forecasted that the number of hybrid and Evs will reach 535,000 units by the end of 2013, which represents a 14 percent increase in sales over 2012. By 2017, Mintel predicts that sales of hybrid and EVs will reach 850,000 units, representing five percent of the total US car market.

Automotive companies are now vying for attention in an increasingly competitive space. Here are five EV product offerings and the associated marketing strategies of the five different automakers.

Event - 2013 Annual Spring Environment Conference

On April 18, 2013 the Business Council is hosting the 2013 Annual Spring Environment Conference at the Hilton Albany in Albany, NY. Climate change, natural resources and industrial energy efficiency are among the topics which will be discussed during The Business Council of New York State, Inc.’s 2013 Spring Environment Conference.

Meanest Vehicles for the Environment in 2013

Make and Model	Specifications	Emission Standard a	MPG: City	MPG: Hwy	Green Score
FORD F-350 FFV b	6.2L 8, auto stk 4wd	Bin 8	11	16	17
FORD F-250 FFV c	6.2L 8, auto stk 4wd	Bin 8	11	16	17
FORD E-350 WAGON d	6.8L 10, auto	Bin 8	10	13	17
CHEVROLET G2500 EXPRESS (CARGO CONVERSION / GMC G2500 SAVANA (CARGO CONVERSION) (MDPV) e	6.0L 8, auto	Bin 8	10	15	18
CHEVROLET SUBURBAN K2500 / GMC K2500 YUKON XL f	6.0L 8, auto 4wd	Bin 5	10	15	19
BUGATT VEYRON	8.0L 16, manual Awd [P]	Bin 5 / LEV II	8	15	19
FORD E-150 WAGON FFV	5.4L 8, auto	Bin 8	12	16	21
MERCEDES-BENZ G63 AMG	5.5L 8, auto 4wd [P]	ULEV II / Bin 5	12	14	21
BENTLEY MULSANNE	6.8L 8, auto stk [P]	Bin 5 / LEV II	11	18	21
MERCEDES-BENZ G550	5.5L 8, auto 4wd [P]	ULEV II / Bin 5	12	15	22
FORD F-150 RAPTOR	6.2L 8, auto stk	Bin 4	11	16	22
FORD E-250 VAN FFV	5.4L 8, auto	Bin 8	12	16	22
[P] denotes premium gasoline. "auto stk" denotes manually adjustable automatic transmission. a A listing with two emission standards (e.g., Tier 2 bin 5 / LEV II) denotes a single vehicle carrying both a federal and a California emission certification. Green Scores for such listings reflect the cleaner of the two certifications. b The 2wd version of this vehicle scores a 19 c The 2wd version of this vehicle scores a 19 d The E-250 Van earns a score of 18 . e The passenger version of these vehicles score a 19 f The 2wd version of these vehicles score a 20

Source: Greenercars.org

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The Greenest Vehicles of 2013

Make and Model	Specifications	Emission Standard	MPG:	MPG:	Green
TOYOTA PRIUS C	1.5L 4, auto	SULEV II / Bin 3	53	46	58
HONDA FIT b	Electric (Li-ion battery)	ZEV	3.9	3.1	57
TOYOTA PRIUS	1.8L 4, auto	PZEV / Bin 3	51	48	55
TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID c	Electric (Li-ion bat.) / 1.8L 4, auto CVT	PZEV / Bin 3	3.9 / 51	3.0 / 49	55
HONDA CIVIC HYBRID	1.5L 4, auto	PZEV / Bin 2	44	44	55
HONDA INSIGHT	1.3L 4, auto	Bin 3	41	44	54
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HYBRID	1.4L 4, auto	PZEV / Bin 3	42	48	53
MERCEDES-BENZ SMART FORTWO CONVERTIBLE / COUPE	1.0L 3, manual [P]	ULEV II / Bin 5	34	38	53
SCION IQ	1.3L 4, auto	ULEV II / Bin 5	36	37	53
FORD FOCUS b	Electric (Li-ion bat.)	ZEV / Bin 1	3.3	2.9	52
TOYOTA PRIUS V	1.8L 4, auto	SULEV II / Bin 3	44	40	52
FORD FUSION HYBRID / C-MAX HYBRID	2.0L 4, auto	Bin 3	47	47	51

[P] denotes premium gasoline.
"auto CVT" denotes continuously variable automatic transmission.
^a A listing with two emission standards (e.g., Tier 2 bin 2/ PZEV) denotes a single vehicle carrying both a Federal and a California emission certification. Green Scores for such listings reflect the cleaner of the two certifications.
^b Fuel economy for electric vehicles is provided in miles per kilowatt-hour.
^c Fuel economy for plug-in hybrids is provided in miles per gallon for gasoline operation and in miles per kilowatt-hour for electric operation

Source: Greenercars.org

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