ACEEE NEWS RELEASE
NATION
SIZZLES; DOE FIZZLES
U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY MISSES BIG ENERGY SAVINGS OPPORTUNITY
Weak
efficiency standard proposed today would fail to prevent blackouts, waste energy,
and cost energy consumers $1.7 billion.
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE August
4, 2006
WASHINGTON, D.C.
-- As the nation's electricity system strained to keep up with this week's heat
wave, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a very weak proposal
for a national minimum-efficiency standard for utility distribution transformers.
Familiar sights on utility poles, distribution transformers are a crucial element
of the nation's electric system. "DOE
has left huge energy and dollar savings on the table," said Steven Nadel,
Executive Director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
"Energy Secretary Bodman needs to think again before setting such a weak
standard." Nadel's
group and a coalition of energy efficiency groups, consumer and environmental
organizations, and utilities support a much stronger standard that DOE's analysis
shows would minimize overall costs for utilities and their customers using conventional
transformer technologies. According to DOE's analysis, over 28 years, this stronger
standard would save 120 billion kilowatt-hours more than DOE's weak proposal—enough
power to meet the electricity needs of about 10% of all U.S. households for a
year—and save utilities and their customers $1.7 billion more. According
to DOE, by strengthening the standard to the levels supported by the coalition
groups, DOE would avoid the need for 7 new power plants, cut global warming emissions
by an additional 75 million metric tons per year (equivalent to the annual emission
of 50 million cars), and eliminate 20,000 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides.
The stronger standard would cut peak electric demand levels by 2,100 megawatts,
easing the risk of overloaded electric grids and blackouts. "With
our nation's electricity grids strained and Congress debating controversial proposals
to open sensitive offshore areas to natural gas drilling, it's a very poor time
for DOE to lock in decades of energy waste," said David Goldstein, Co-Director
of the Energy Program at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). "It makes
zero sense to walk away from such enormous savings." Recently,
Assistant Secretary Alexander Karsner, DOE's official directly in charge of national
efficiency standards, asserted: "Maximizing energy efficiency and renewable
energy is the domestic epicenter in the War on Terror…" Earlier this
week, DOE co-sponsored the national release of "A National Action Plan for
Energy Efficiency," which included recommendations to "Recognize energy
efficiency as a high-priority energy resource," and "Make a strong,
long-term commitment to implement cost-effective energy efficiency as a resource." "If
Secretary Bodman and Assistant Secretary Karsner are serious about saving energy,
they need to strengthen this standard," said Andrew deLaski, Executive Director
of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP). "The U.S. Department
of Energy needs to be more than a cheerleader for improved energy efficiency." Distribution
transformers are electrical equipment that reduces electricity voltages from the
high levels used to send power over transmission lines to the lower levels used
to power homes, businesses, and industry. Because all power generated travels
through one or more transformers, even very slight improvements in efficiency
can save very large amounts of energy. In addition, more efficient transformers
run cooler, helping to extend equipment life. During the recent heat waves, failed
distribution transformers have been blamed for outages from Los Angeles to New
York. Some utilities have deferred investments in new transformers and other equipment
in recent years. In the years ahead, millions of transformers will be purchased
and put in service. Once in service, transformers last for three decades or more. Under
federal law, DOE was required to issue a minimum standard for distribution transformers
by 1996 and implement it by 1999. DOE missed those deadlines (and others for other
products). The proposal issued today is the first efficiency standard proposal
from the Bush Administration. Twenty-two standards are overdue for review and
strengthening.
#####
About ACEEE: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, contact ACEEE, 529 14th Street N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20045 or visit www.aceee.org.
About NRDC: The Natural Resources Defense Council
is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and
environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health
and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.2 million members
and online activists nationwide, served from offices in New York,
Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
About ASAP: The Appliance Standards Awareness
Project (ASAP) is a coalition group dedicated to advancing cost-effective
energy efficiency standards for appliances and equipment. ASAP works
at both the state and federal levels and is led by a Steering Committee
with representatives from consumer groups, utilities, state government,
environmental groups, and energy efficiency groups. For information
about ASAP, contact ASAP, 20 Belgrade Avenue, Suite 1, Boston, MA
02131 or visit http://standardsASAP.
|
