Environmental Leadership

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2012 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE WASHINGTON POST EZ EE H1

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HIGHLIGHTSCHANGING CLIMATEMany cities are implementingprograms to adapt to climate change,writes Don Knapp from ICLEI-LocalGovernments for Sustainability USA.PAGE 2

RECOGNITION FORGREEN INITIATIVESZoe Tcholak-Antitch of the CarbonDisclosure Project explains howincorporating green practices into acompany’s overall strategy makesgood business sense. PAGE 4

Entering a Clean Energy Future

Keep the Change, Bring Your Bag, Fight Litter

Attack PollutionProblems, Notthe EPA

LEADERSHIP

Chris GregoireGovernor of the state of Washington

NOT LONG AGO, THE IDEAof a “clean energy future”was relatively unknown andconsidered unrealistic. Todaythere is almost universalrecognition that, for the sakeof the environment and nationalsecurity, we must redefine howwe power our cities, statesand countries.

In the state of Washington, wealready are well down the road:Our clean energy future is takingshape on highways, in homes,in businesses and factories, onfarms and in research institutions.

Creating a new energy future,especially in these tough times,is a challenging and complexresponsibility. But it’s one thatwe must undertake if we are toshape the future we want andneed. It’s about more than aclean and healthy environment,which is a hallmark of the PacificNorthwest. It’s about supportingour economy well into the future,replacing a diminishing energysupply and taking care of thecoming generations.

Here in Washington, we havemore than 400 clean energytechnology companies of allsizes, and these businesses arecreating jobs and driving growth.For example, Inland Empire OilSeeds, based in Odessa, Wash.,is one of the largest biodieselproducers in the country. Thecompany formed when 1,400family farms brought their moneyand land together, received alittle help from the state andbegan growing and refiningcanola seed. Now the businesssells biodiesel both inside andoutside the state.

In 2007, we set a goal thatWashington would have 25,000green jobs by 2020. When weannounced that goal, I was told“not possible.” Today our statehas 100,000 green jobs. It is10 years ahead of schedule,and we’ve already quadrupledour goal! Workers in these jobsrange from computer softwareengineers for the smart gridto power line workers, fromgreen building architects toweatherization technicians andfrom bioenergy venture capitaliststo oilseed farmers.

Because of innovators in mystate, people someday will takefor granted things like makingenergy from algae, living inhomes that create more energythan they use or driving cars thatare made mostly with carbonfiber and need no gasoline.

Washington is bustling with

solar energy initiatives. Currently,the largest solar power plantin North America is permittedfor construction near Cle Elum,Wash. Also, Moses Lake is hometo REC Silicon, one of the world’slargest production facilities formaterial used in solar panels.

Washington produced virtuallyno wind power in 2001. Today weare among the largest producersof wind power in the United States.Our ports keep busy unloadingwind turbines to generate powerfor homes and businesses.

We are building the firstelectric highway in the country.Soon it will be possible to drivefrom Canada to Oregon — 276miles — and never need a singledrop of gas. With rechargingstations positioned along ourinterstate highway, our state willwelcome more than 300,000electric cars to our roads in the

next decade.No business is coming out of

this recession the same as it wasgoing in, and the same is truefor our state and our workforce.We must thoughtfully plan for ourgrowth. We must identify whatlong-term economic trends wewill tap. For Washington, thetransition to clean energy is anatural fit.

The president’s Council ofEconomic Advisers has predictedclean energy and environmentalprotection jobs will grow by morethan 50 percent over the next sixyears. That’s nearly four times therate of all other job fields. I wasconvinced of this a long time ago.In Washington state, we havejoined the clean energy revolution:We are creating jobs, spurringbusiness innovation, supporting acleaner environment and buildingenergy independence.

William D. RuckelshausFirst Administrator of the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency

PROGRESS ON CLEANINGup air and water will only stopif we do. Forty-two years ago,Congress passed the modernClean Air Act and, two yearslater, the modern Clean WaterAct. Both laws were passed withoverwhelming bipartisan support.In fact, in 1970 the Clean Air Actpassed the Senate 73-0 and theHouse 374-1.

The problems that led to theirpassage were widespread, visibleand unacceptable to the Americanpeople. Waterways and air shedsall over America are appreciablycleaner than they were fortyyears ago. In the last 30 years,lead emissions — a serioushealth threat — have been cut 97percent, sulfur dioxide by almost70 percent, volatile organics by63 percent and poisonous carbonmonoxide by over 70 percent.In the last 20 years, emissions offine particles — a major causeof respiratory problems — havebeen cut by 55 percent.

We also have an impressiverecord in water. Lake Erie nowsupports a $600 million fishery,

and over half of all our lakesare now in good condition,sharply up from where westarted. Granted, specific waterresources, such as coastal areasand small streams and rivers, arestill in trouble, but progress isimpressive.

In the 1960s, the publicdemanded that something bedone about pollution that wasthreatening their health and thenatural world. The president andCongress responded, and manyof the problems that led to thepublic outcry have been broughtunder social control. That’s theway our system is supposed towork. The public identifies aproblem and the governmentresponds. If these laws haveworked, why are Republicanpresidential candidates andtheir congressional counterpartscalling for the severe curtailmentof the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency’s (EPA) powersor even the agency’s abolition?

To a certain extent, EPAis a victim of its own success.The health and environmentalrisks we face today almostare invisible compared to theproblems that drove the creation

Roger BerlinerPresident of the Montgomery County (Md.)Council

BY ENCOURAGING REUSABLEbags, Montgomery County, Md.,is at the forefront of a growingnumber of communities workingto reduce the litter that pollutesour streams. As of Jan. 1, 2012,the county requires a 5-centfee on all plastic and paperbags. This avoidable charge isintended to be a “nudge” tohelp us change our bad habits,including my own. Our countydoes not want the money — wewant people to save their moneyby helping to save our streams.Bring a bag with you, and youdon’t pay 5 cents.

The experience of otherjurisdictions is significant inassessing the merits of thisapproach, which is hardly freeof controversy. But the facts arepretty overwhelming: In theDistrict of Columbia, after just oneyear with a similar law, there hasbeen a 50 percent reduction inthe use of plastic and paper bags.

As part of a much larger,comprehensive watershedmanagement effort, the bag feeis aimed at helping MontgomeryCounty meet its obligations underthe Potomac River Watershed

Trash Treaty. The Treaty,initiated in 2005 and signed byfederal, state and local officialsthroughout the Washington,D.C., metropolitan area, callsfor the achievement of a trash-free Potomac by 2013. Todaydiscarded plastic bags accountfor a third of the litter that rainfallrunoff conveys into local streams.

The Montgomery County lawcovers both paper and plasticbags, because paper bagsare not pollution-free either.Their manufacture includes notonly the destruction of naturalresources, but requires the use oftoxic chemicals, as well. Plasticand paper bags from storesnever really were free; retailershad to purchase the bags, andthe county was required tofoot the cleanup bill for thosedisposed of improperly.

There are also importantexemptions to the fee:prescription drug bags; producebags not obtained at the point ofsale; paper bags restaurants andcarryout delis use for preparedor leftover food and drink; bagssold that are initially used foryard waste, pet waste, garbage,dry cleaning or newspapers;and bags from seasonal standsand street fairs. Monies collectedfrom the fee go to the county’s

Water Quality Protection Fund,which is used to upgradedegraded streams and to create,inspect and keep up over 1,500stormwater management facilitiesthroughout the county.

In anticipation of the law’sgoing into effect in January,Montgomery County undertookan extensive educational effortthroughout the fall to prepareconsumers and merchantsfor the coming change. Thecounty distributed free bagsto economically vulnerableresidents and senior citizens,and many businesses are usingreusable bags as a continuingadvertising opportunity. Earlynumbers are showing resultscomparable to what D.C. isexperiencing. I now have threereusable bags in my car —and I am increasingly evenremembering to take them inwith me!

The law is a low-cost incentiveto encourage shoppers to use

reusable bags and to decline abag for single item purchases.It also encourages retailers toinquire whether or not a bagis needed at all. In the past,multiple stores have offered5-cent credits to those who bring

their own bags, but the vastmajority of people were simplyusing disposable bags. By merelyasking the question, “Do youneed a bag?”— and moving theawareness to the forefront — aparadigm shift has occurred.

Change is never easy.However, without a loud hue andcry, Montgomery County’s plasticbag law has effected a hugechange in a very short time. This isone instance in which a small efforthas resulted in a big payoff.

Electric cars, such as the one pictured above, soon will be able to travel and recharge along the country’s first electric highway, being built in the state of Washington.

Montgomery County Council President Roger Berliner displays a reusable shopping bag. (Photo above and Fight Litter logo courtesy of the Office of CouncilPresident Roger Berliner.)

William D. Ruckelshaus, First Administrator of the U.S.EPA. (Photo courtesy of William D. Ruckelshaus.)

CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE

“…EPA is a victimof its own success.The health andenvironmentalrisks we face todayalmost are invisiblecompared to theproblems that drovethe creation of EPAover 40 years ago.”

- William D. Ruckelshaus

H2 EZ EE AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE WASHINGTON POST WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2012

2 ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

Don KnappCommunications and Marketing Director, ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability USA

EVERY SO OFTEN, MIAMI’Sworld-famous beaches geta recharge of fresh sand bythe truckload. Adding sandhelps offset beach erosionand refreshes the area’s mostglamorous tourist spots. But thesedays, the practice brings anadditional benefit: protecting thecommunity from climate change.Healthy beaches and dunes area front-line defense against stormsurge — a rush of water thatcan flood neighborhoods duringsevere storms and hurricanes. Assea level rises in South Florida,storm surge is a major concern.

Miami-Dade County plannersrecognize these risks and areimplementing dozens of actionsto adapt and prepare for achanging climate. They’re farfrom alone: Cities, towns andcounties across the country aretaking steps to protect theircitizens, natural resources andeconomic assets from impactsranging from droughts and floodsto heat waves and increased airpollution, all connected to risingglobal temperatures.

“Cities are at the forefrontof the battle against climatechange,” said New YorkMayor Michael Bloomberg in2010, when the city releaseda climate adaptation strategy.“Addressing the challengesposed by climate change is …critical to our City’s future.”

For more than a decade, localgovernments have led the nation inaddressing climate change, despitefederal inaction. Their effortshave focused on reducing theircommunities’ carbon footprints,but scientists say that, even if wecould halt all carbon emissionstoday, global warming would stillcontinue for decades to come. Thatmeans preparation and adaptationare essential strategies.

The past year brought theneed for preparedness intosharp focus. In 2011, a record14 extreme weather eventsstruck U.S. communities, witheach event causing $1 billion ormore in damages, in addition toloss of human life. These eventsincluded hurricanes, tornadoes,floods, droughts, heat wavesand wildfires. Other changes are

happening in slower motion. InSouth Florida, sea level rise maylead to salt water moving fartherinto the underground fresh wateraquifer, potentially threateningthe drinking water wells thatserve millions. In Midwest cities,hotter summers exacerbate airpollution and stress energydelivery systems taxed by airconditioning. Warmer wintersin the Northeast allow beetleinfestations in native treesto spread.

Now for some good news.Leading local governments aretaking smart, common-sensesteps that not only increase theircommunities’ resilience to climate

change impacts, but also bring ahost of other economic and healthbenefits. In Chicago, city workersare planting drought-resistanttrees and plants to cool streets,absorb water during floods andshade buildings. In El Paso andSan Antonio, Tex., longstandingefforts to conserve water anddiversify water sources paid offbig last summer, when those citiessuccessfully weathered the state’sextreme drought. The city ofGrand Rapids, Mich., will ensurestable energy sources duringhotter summers by powering 30percent of its city operations withrenewable energy by 2013.In Keene, N.H., city officials

are encouraging a local foodmovement so the city can becomemore self-reliant as agriculturalpatterns change.

Preparing for climate changeis a no-regrets way to create ahealthier, more prosperous andmore resilient community. “Weview challenges as opportunities,”says Stephanie Smith,sustainability specialist in the cityof Flagstaff, Ariz. ”Building ourresilience is an insurance policyfor the continued prosperity of ourcommunity. We’re making surethat our best days are ahead ofus, not behind us.”

Adaptation strategies become a priorityCities Prepare for a Changing Climate

A man walks along an eroded beach in Miami, Fla. (Photo courtesy of Miami-Dade County.)

The earth is not only thecommon heritage of all

humankind but also the ultimatesource of life. By over-exploitingits resources we are underminingthe very basis of our own life.All around, signs abound of thedestruction caused by humanactivity and of the degradation ofnature. Therefore, the protectionand conservation of the earth isnot a question of morality or ethicsbut a question of our survival. Howwe respond to this challenge willaffect not only this generation butalso many generationsto come.

HIS HOLINESSTHE DALAI LAMA

“

”This statement, dated Sept. 20, 1991, marked the launching of a campaign on the themeof Caring for the Earth on Oct. 21, 1991 by the World Conservation Union.

Attack PollutionProblems, Notthe EPAof EPA over 40 years ago. Thethreats to clean air, such as fineparticulates, mercury or volatileorganic compounds, are less “inyour face” than smog causedby automobiles or the soot fromuncontrolled factory smokestacks.Many famously polluted watersthroughout the land are no longersubject to insults of raw sewageor untreated industrial waste. Thelarge industrial and municipalpoint sources of pollution aresubject to permits that specifyexactly what can be dischargedand in what amounts. And thosepermits are enforced.

Today the biggest waterpollution problem is stormwaterrunoff from city streets, suburbanlawns and farms. In air, it’s amixture of land-based, nonpointsources and under-controlled,outmoded point sources ofpollution. Trying to regulatehow land is managed or oldpower plants are controlled runssmack into how people relateto their own property or howcorporations replace old plantsand equipment, absent specificlegislation. The federal and stategovernments are not very good atregulating these kinds of sources,and landowners and industriesresist — sometimes massively.The result is a sort of sullenstandoff between the regulatorsand the targets of regulations.It is also worth keeping in mindthat many of the current andemerging threats are internationalin their origin and that theirimpact affects us and many othercountries, mercury pollution beinga prime example.

Certainly, the currenteconomic downturn, as always,diminishes public support forregulation to protect publichealth and the environment.When faced with a bogus choicebetween food, clothing or shelterand a clean environment, peopleopt for the necessities of life.Public fear brought on by therecent and ongoing recessionmakes people more susceptibleto the false claim that we can’tprosper economically and have aclean and safe environment. Wecan, and since 1970, we have.And we can still do it today.

Congress and statelegislatures, assisted by theregulatory agencies, can do

better at rationalizing theregulatory system and workinghard at treating our citizens andindustries as partners. Developingregulations for nonpoint sourceproblems that emphasize what theenvironmental goals are — nothow to achieve them — is a stepin the right direction. Trainingregulators to work effectively withcitizens and treating them likecustomers and not criminals willimprove public support for thenecessary work of government.Reasonable regulations are not aburden on those sincerely tryingto harmonize profit and socialresponsibility: Such regulationspermit the industry to competehonorably, and they ensure alevel playing field.

In the last analysis, acceptinga system of rules is a necessarycomponent of a free society.As human numbers increaseand our technology and wealthmultiply, adverse impacts on theenvironment — and, thus, onour health — increase. The rulesnecessary to control that impactcan be imposed by the market, thegovernment or by our collectiveconscience — but they must beimposed. Indeed, creating aframework of restraints to guideindividual or corporate conductis the essence of freedom. Theabsence of restraint is not freedom;it is license leading to the law ofthe jungle. Making our restraints asreasonable as possible, thoughtfullyand carefully applying them whileat the same time attempting tomaximize human choice, is whatwe must strive to achieve in ourregulatory system.

While we’re pondering this,think of where we would betoday if there had been no EPAor Clean Air Act or Clean WaterAct attacking the gross pollutionproblems of the 1960s. We wouldbe choking on our own waste,and that’s where we will return ifwe take seriously the election-yearcalls for the abolition of an agencyand a system that have brought usso much public benefit.

William D. Ruckelshaus became the first head ofthe EPA when the agency was formed in 1970and held this post until 1973. He later returnedto this position from 1983-1985, serving inPresident Reagan’s administration. Currently, Mr.Ruckelshaus is a strategic director in the MadronaVenture Group and a principal in MadronaInvestment Group. He lives in Seattle, Wash.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Flooding occurred on Miami Beach, Fla., on Oct. 7, 2010, due to a natural high tide exacerbated by on-shore winds, which drove the waters up into the streetsthrough the stormwater drainage system. (Photo courtesy of Miami-Dade County.)

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Sanjiv MahanVice President of Business Development,Washington Gas Energy Systems

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMSincreasingly are evidentthroughout the Washingtonmetropolitan region. Surprisingly,Washington Gas Energy Servicesand Washington Gas EnergySystems have been providinglocal schools with these systems.Under long-term agreementswith each institution, the gascompany owns and operates thesolar installations at the schools.Following are some examplesof the solar projects undertakensince 2009.

The Catholic Universityof America (CUA), October2009 - More than 1,000 solarpanels were installed on fourCUA buildings. The universitysigned a 20-year agreementwith WGEServices to purchaseelectricity generated by the solarpanels at guaranteed prices.Additionally, in November ofthe same year, Standard Solar,Inc., of Rockville, Md., installed1,088 3-by-6-foot solar panelson the roofs of the Raymond A.DuFour Center and Aquinas,Flather and Gibbons Halls. Thesolar panel system, installedat no cost to CUA, producesabout 340,000 kilowatt hours ofelectricity each year.

Bullis School, December2009 - Bullis School in Potomac,

Md., dedicated the largestsolar electric power system at aprivate school in the D.C. area.Installed by Clean Currents, thesystem provides electricity for theschool’s Blair Family Center forthe Arts. The photovoltaic system(PV) consists of 540 solar panels,and it produces approximately143,000 kilowatt hours ofelectricity annually and supplies18-20 percent of the BlairCenter’s annual electricity needs.

University of Maryland,College Park (UMD), February2011 – UMD announced that itwould build one of the largestrooftop solar power systemsin Maryland. The solar powersystem was installed on the roofof UMD’s Severn building, amulti-purpose facility located lessthan a mile from the CollegePark campus. The system,which Standard Solar installed,produces about 792 megawatthours of electricity each year.

The American University(AU), April 2011 – AUannounced the installation ofmore than 2,150 solar PV panelson six university buildings. Solarthermal energy panels, installedon four campus buildings, providehot water to over 2,000 studentsand to AU’s largest dining hall.

Wilmington FriendsSchool, May 2011 - WilmingtonFriends School, Wilmington, Del.,one of the oldest private schoolsin the country, announced the

installation of more than 700 PVpanels on the rooftops of twocampus buildings, resulting in oneof the largest solar PV systems ona K-12 school in Delaware.

Kent County, Md.,November 2011 – The KentCounty, Md., Commissioners andBoard of Education signed a 20-year contract with WGEServicesto build a solar array to powerKent County High School, WortonElementary School and the KentCounty Community Center.Standard Solar is installing theground mount system on 10acres of land owned by theboard of education. The systemwill provide clean, renewableand emissions-free electricity tothe three aforementioned countyfacilities, and it will produceapproximately 1,590 megawatthours of clean electricity peryear. With no up-front cost toKent County and the boardof education, the county willpurchase the electricity thesystem generates. Constructionon the project is expected to becompleted in late spring ofthis year.

Another benefit of these solarinstallations is the opportunityfor enhanced curriculum atthe participating schools. Forexample, students, faculty andstaff at CUA will have Webaccess to real-time data on thecampus’ solar energy production.At Bullis, implementation of an

environmental science unit at theschool includes lessons on cleanenergy and ways students canreduce their carbon footprint.Finally, at the Wilmington FriendsSchool, students can monitor thereal-time output from the solar PVpanels through a display installedin the school, and educators

have incorporated data from andabout the system into the school’sscience curriculum.

In October of 2011, solarconstruction and projectmanagement were reallocatedfrom Washington Gas EnergyServices to Washington GasEnergy Systems.

Solar-Powered Schools

What Does It Mean to beRecognized for Green Initiatives?Zoe Tcholak-AntitchDirector for North America, Carbon DisclosureProject (CDP)

COMPANIES TODAY FACEan increasing number ofchallenges. The natural resourceson which we survive and onwhich our business models arebuilt grow scarce, and withglobal greenhouse gas emissionscontinuing on an upwardtrajectory, the threat of dangerousclimate change accelerates.Couple this with a year in whichthe United States was hit bya record number of extremeweather disasters costing over$52 billion in damages to theeconomy and raising concernsover the vulnerability of supplychains: It is no surprise that agrowing number of companiesare looking to tackle these riskshead-on.

As we make the inevitablemove toward a carbon-constrainedand water-stressed world, it isvital that any company interestedin creating long-term value andstrategic advantage takes action.Many of the largest companiesin the U.S. already recognize thisfact. The increasing convergenceof environmental and financialissues means that climate changeconcerns now are reachingbeyond traditional sustainabilitydepartments. Results from theCarbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP)survey of the S&P 500 last yearshow 58 percent with board orsenior-executive-level oversightof the company’s climate changeprograms, up from 45 percentin 2010. CDP also saw an 85

percent increase in the numberof companies from the S&P 500reporting integration of climatechange into their overall businessstrategies from 2010 to 2011.This is despite a lack of taxationand regulation of greenhousegases in the United States.

As companies act to managecarbon and protect theirbusiness from climate change,it is important that they arerecognized for their advancesand that their stakeholdershave visibility of this throughestablished benchmarks.

CDP tracks the performanceof the S&P 500 companiesthat report publicly, and ithas for several years releasedtwo leadership indices thathighlight those with strongcarbon management and climatechange policies. The CarbonDisclosure Leadership Indexrecognizes those companies withhigh-quality reporting, and theCarbon Performance Leadership

Index recognizes those thatare demonstrating significantmaturity in the actions they aretaking on climate change andtheir commitments to managegreenhouse gas emissions.

The benefits in providingthese important, establishedbenchmarks are wide ranging.For companies across allindustry sectors, the benchmarksare a vital competitive leverencouraging the transparentdisclosure of non-financialinformation. They help shine thelight on those companies that

are developing best practicesin energy efficiency and riskmanagement. They also rewardpositive action and, in so doing,propel a company to improve itsperformance over time.

These indices alsoprovide investors with anindependent evaluation of acompany’s approach to carbonmanagement. They help showwhere risks are being managed

and opportunities maximized,and they provide investors withinsight into how well companiesare preparing to compete ina low-carbon environment.Being able to understand thecarbon management strategiesof companies in a meaningfulway is crucial in driving theengagement of investors withtheir portfolio companies.Through their Bloombergterminals, investors use the CDPdisclosure scores every day. Thescores also are available throughGoogle Finance.

It is important we rememberthat doing more with less isa huge business opportunity.High energy costs and quickfinancial returns mean emissionsreduction activities are becomingincreasingly attractive tocompanies looking to cut costsand boost profitability. A CDPreport published last year foundthat Global 500 companiesthat outperform on emissionsdisclosure and managementproduced double the averagereturns of their peers, over afive-year period. For moreinformation, please visit https://www.cdproject.net/CDPResults/CDP-G500-2011-Report.pdf.

A strong benchmark notonly spurs on the businessleaders by recognizing theiractions, but also drags upthe business laggards. Thosecompanies making decisionsthat perpetuate a low-carboneconomy will see considerablevalue and competitiveadvantage in doing so.www.cdproject.net

A Carbon Disclosure Project(CDP) report published last yearfound that Global 500 companiesthat outperform on emissionsdisclosure and managementproduced double the averagereturns of their peers, over a five-year period.

Partnerships bring clean energy to area institutions

We have to accept this. If we unbalance Nature, humankind will suffer. Furthermore, as people alive today,we must consider future generations: a clean environment is a human right like any other. It is therefore partof our responsibility towards others to ensure that the world we pass on is as healthy, if not healthier, thanwhen we found it. This is not quite such a difficult proposition as it might sound. For although there is a limitto what we as individuals can do, there is no limit to what a universal response might achieve. It is up tous as individuals to do what we can, however little that may be. Just because switching off the light whenleaving the room seems inconsequential, it does not mean that we should not do it.

HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA

“ ”Adapted from the chapter Universal Responsibility and the Good Heart in Freedom in Exile: The autobiography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, Hodder and Stoughton. UK 1990. (p 280-299).


5ENVIRONMENTALLEADERSHIP

Kathryn PotterSenior Vice President of Marketing andCommunications, American Hotel & LodgingAssociation

IN 2010, THE U.S. LODGINGindustry had 51,800 propertieswith 4.8 million guestroomsand 1.8 million employees,generating $128 billion insales. These hotels spent $7.9billion on energy, generated 7million tons of waste, consumed66 trillion gallons of water andproduced 23 million tons ofcarbon dioxide.

Less than a decade ago,eco-friendly hotels were a nichesegment of the hotel industry.Today more hotels view beingeco-friendly as economicaland necessary.

With the help of the TurnerFoundation, the American Hotel& Lodging Association (AH&LA)has implemented a four-stepprogram to aid hoteliers, bothlarge and small, in becomingmore eco-friendly.

This program begins withAH&LA’s Green Guidelines, aset of nearly 70 strategies toassist hoteliers in measuringperformance in all areas,including reducing theirconsumption of energy, waterand waste.

Hoteliers then are encouragedto progress to Green Key Global,a graduated rating system that’shelping recognize almost 1,500hotels, motels and resorts in theircommitment to improve their fiscaland environmental performance.The program is a voluntary,self-administered audit, coupledwith onsite inspections to verifya hotel’s rating and designed toassist a hotel in determining itscurrent environmental footprint.

The final steps includebecoming EPA Energy Star-rated, which more than 400U.S. properties have achieved;and to work toward theU.S. Green Building Council(USGBC) LEED certification,which approximately 100 U.S.properties have earned.

Hoteliers across the countryare focusing on a broad rangeof green initiatives, installingsuch energy-saving equipmentas electrical vehicle chargingstations; occupancy sensorcontrols on lighting systemsin meeting rooms and in theback-of-house areas; smartvent hoods in the kitchen;variable frequency drives onelectric motors; and waterlessurinals in public and employeerestrooms. In addition, hoteliersare replacing T12 fluorescenttubes with high-performance T8lamps and electronic ballasts;incandescent and fluorescent exitsigns with LED exit signs; andfixtures on parking lot poles withLED fixtures.

Other measures includeconserving water with alandscape irrigation system,adding laundry ozone

systems to washing machines;purchasing non-VOC productsto improve indoor air quality;and implementing programs toconserve food and resources,refill amenity dispensers,compost waste, recyclemattresses and integrate pestmanagement plans to minimizethe use of chemical pesticides.

The industry’s efforts areproducing measurable results.For example, in its 2010Sustainability Report Update,Marriott International reportedpartnering with Ecolab todevelop a new laundry systempilot program that eliminatedone wash cycle and loweredthe required temperature ofthe hot water. Tested in 31hotels, the pilot project savedan annualized, projected totalof 18 million gallons of waterand saw a 15-25 percentdecrease in energy production(amount saved varies by loadand equipment). Marriot hasexpanded this laundry program,which, in 2011, includedproperties in the Americas andthe Asia/Pacific region.

In 2009, Hilton Worldwidepublicly introduced LightStay,the company’s sustainabilitymeasurement system. This systemevaluates over 200 operationalpractices, such as air quality,housekeeping, food waste andeven the environmental impactof conferences held on Hiltonproperties. Since LightStay’simplementation, the company isseeing improvement: In 2010,the company reduced energyuse by 6.6 percent, water use by3.8 percent, carbon output by7.8 percent and waste output by19 percent (savings normalizedagainst a 2008 baseline).The LightStay program alsocontributed to Hilton’s recentlyearning ISO 9001 certificationfor Quality Management Systemsand ISO 14001 certificationfor Environmental ManagementSystems. Hilton’s entire portfolio,which includes 3,750 propertiesin 85 countries, achievedthese certifications.

In its WorldwideSustainability Report for 2009-

2010, Wyndham Worldwidetouts that it has taken its greenphilosophy to its corporateheadquarters, developing thefacility in accordance withLEED standards. As a result,water-efficient plumbing fixtureshave reduced water use by25 percent, 88 percent ofconstruction waste has beendiverted from landfills andEnergy Star equipment andappliances make up 74 percentof the HVAC system.

The examples above arejust a small window into whathotels are doing to becomemore environmentally friendly. In2011, the hotel industry saw a50 percent increase in hotels thathave sustainability initiatives.

More Hotels ViewingGreen Practices asGood Business

GREEN TIPSFOR TRAVELERS

1. During your hotel stay, letmanagement know that youwant to participate in a linenand towel reuse program.

2. When you leave the room, turnoff the AC/heat, lights, andtelevision.

3. Open the drapes during thewinter to let the sun naturallyheat the room, and close thedrapes in the summer to keepthe room cool.

4. Use public transportation inyour destination city, and walkwhere sensible and safe. Usethe hotel van or rent a hybridwhenever possible.

5. Only take maps or brochuresnecessary for your trip.

6. Do not use the shower to warmthe room or steam clothes.

7. Look for recycling binsthroughout the hotel anddispose of items appropriately.

8. VRTUP ZWXWYQ[SXRTRZXT\NYelectronic program availableon the TV, via -mail, or PDA.

For more information, please visitwww.ahla.com



Building a Better Light Bulb

Twenty Yearsof Energy Star

Packaging Innovations Allow the BeverageIndustry to Reduce Its Environmental Footprint

Terry McGowan, FIES, LCDirector of Engineering and Technology, American Lighting Association

HAVE YOU BOUGHT LIGHT BULBS RECENTLY?If so, you may have noticed it’s not “business asusual” in the light bulb aisle. Thanks to federalregulations, the old-fashioned incandescent light bulbis being phased out in favor of new, more energy-efficient light bulbs.

This is good news for consumers, becausemanufacturers now are making better bulbs thatuse less energy, thereby saving you money on yourelectricity bill. According to the U.S. Department ofEnergy, upgrading 15 incandescent bulbs in yourhome could save you $50 per year. Moreover,because most of the new bulbs also have longer lifespans, you’ll be buying fewer replacements as wellas avoiding the nuisance of burned-out bulbs.

Lumens Versus WattsAs more consumers buy energy-efficient bulbs,

labels on bulb packages have changed. Theyshow a more accurate gauge called lumens, whichare a measure of how much light you are gettingfrom a bulb.

More lumens mean it’s a brighter light; fewerlumens mean it’s a dimmer light. Lumens let you buythe amount of light you want. So, when buying yournew bulbs, think lumens, not watts.

Here are some guidelines for choosing bulbs thatare equivalent in light output to the familiar standardincandescent bulbs:

! To replace a 100-watt incandescent bulb,choose a bulb that gives you 1,600 lumens.

! To replace a 75-watt incandescent bulb,choose a bulb that gives you 1,100 lumens.

! To replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb,choose a bulb that gives you 800 lumens.

! To replace a 40-watt incandescent bulb,choose a bulb that gives you 450 lumens.

Light Bulb OptionsAs a result of the new efficiency standards, we

have more bulb options available now. Gone are thedays when the only choice was incandescent bulbs.Now there are three different kinds of energy-efficientbulbs to choose from: halogen incandescents,compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emittingdiodes (LEDs). You will find all three types on retailershelves, and all have standard screw bases so theyare easy to install into existing sockets.

Halogen incandescent light bulbs are the “new-and-improved” version of the old incandescent bulb.This type of light bulb is about 30 percent moreenergy-efficient and can last up to three times longerthan traditional incandescent bulbs. It emits thefamiliar, warm-toned incandescent light and worksperfectly with dimmers and other lighting controls.

CFLs simply are curly versions of the long-tubefluorescent lights you may already have in yourkitchen or garage. This type of light bulb is three-to-four times as efficient as and can last six-to-10 timesas long as traditional incandescent bulbs.

The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of today’smost energy-efficient and rapidly developingtechnologies. This type of light bulb is more than fivetimes as energy-efficient and can last up to 25 timesas long as traditional incandescent bulbs. WhileLEDs are more expensive, they still save money,because they last a long time and use a low amountof energy.

In a New LightThese new bulb options, particularly LEDs, are

making us think differently about home lighting. Forone thing, the rated life of the new bulbs is muchlonger. Instead of 1,000 hours, which is the typicalrated life of standard incandescent bulbs, the ratedlife of CFLs is typically 9,000 hours, and that of LEDsis 25,000 hours or more.

When you buy and replace such light bulbs,think of them more like appliances — perhaps acoffee maker or toaster — rather than somethingthat will need to be replaced in a few months. Youmight even want to take these new bulbs with you ifyou move.

Just as you would invest in an appliance youexpect to use for years, buying a light bulb todayrequires more of an initial investment but yields

greater returns in terms of energy savings andoperating life — all without sacrificing the neededlight output.

For more information on the new energy-efficientlight bulb standards, buying tips and applicationinformation, visit lumennow.org.

You may also want to check out a new “app”from Underwriters Laboratories for the iPad at apple.com/itunes/affiliates/download/?id=491362350.If you have further questions, I recommend you visita local lighting showroom. To find a nearby lightingshowroom by zip code, visit americanlightingassoc.com/Find-Showrooms-Products.aspx.

Gina McCarthyAssistant Administrator for the Office of Airand Radiation (Photo courtesy of the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency)

THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTALProtection Agency’s (EPA) EnergyStar program celebrates its 20thanniversary this year. Over thepast two decades, Americanfamilies and businesses havesaved a total of nearly $230billion on utility bills and preventedmore than 1.7 billion metric tonsof greenhouse gas emissions, withhelp from Energy Star.

In 1992 the EPA launchedEnergy Star as a cutting edge,private-public partnership,to promote energy efficiencyin various markets and tocreate a healthier climatefor all Americans. Throughthe program’s vast networkof partners, Energy Star hasprovided consumers with moreoptions as they make informeddecisions about ways to saveenergy and money. Together,we have achieved meaningfulreductions in harmful carbonpollution, helping to protectour climate, our children andour future.

From the first computer toearn the Energy Star in 1992,the program has grown to certifyproducts in over 60 differentcategories. More than 5 billionEnergy Star products have beenpurchased over the past 20 years.

The label has become one of themost well-known brands in thecountry—more than 80 percentof Americans now recognize theblue square mark of efficiency.Today tens of thousands offacilities and more than onemillion new homes proudly carryEnergy Star certification, usedramatically less energy and areresponsible for substantially lessgreenhouse gas emissions thantheir peers.

As we celebrate thispartnership that has transformedhow America uses energy, wealso want to recognize those whohave helped make it happen.Millions of families, with the helpof Energy Star, are improving theefficiency of their homes whilealso saving money. Thousandsof businesses, including nearly20,000 Energy Star partnerorganizations from every sectorof the economy, have preventedpollution, created jobs andstimulated the economy. Oursuccess shows that, together,we can help America preserveour climate and strengthen oureconomy at the same time.

While we commemorateEnergy Star’s past success,EPA looks forward to an evenbrighter future. We will continueto make Energy Star the leading,trusted certifier of reliable,cost-effective, energy-savingsolutions that lead to a healthyenvironment and a prosperouseconomy for our families andour future. Thank you for 20remarkable years of partnership,promise and progress. Welook forward to continuing thejourney with you.

Susan K. NeelyPresident and CEO, American BeverageAssociation

TODAY MEMBERS OF THEAmerican Beverage Association(ABA) are driving innovation inmany environmental disciplines.Our products are made anddelivered to consumers usingless material in packaging, lesswater, less energy through hybriddelivery trucks and producingfewer emissions with state-of-the-art refrigerants in our coolers. Thebenefits from these investments ininnovation add up to a smallerenvironmental footprint, moresustainable operations and morecompetitive business.

However, it is our industry’sinnovation in reducing, recyclingand reusing packaging that is themost tangible to consumers. Youcan see and feel those changesevery time you enjoy one ofour members’ products. Rightnow much of the effort aroundpackaging innovation is directedat plastic beverage bottles.

A little more than half ofour beverage containers aremade from PET (polyethyleneterephthalate — recognizable asthe plastic bottles with the number“1” on the bottom). These bottlesbear little resemblance to the firstplastic beverage bottles in the late1970s. Our member companiesproduce significantly more bottlesfrom a pound of PET than theyused to. Our industry’s lightestbottles, for water, now averageless than half an ounce each. Thisis an innovation that consumersliterally feel and see every timethey hold a bottle of water.

When you hold a PETbeverage bottle in your hand,though, it may be hard to noticethat our companies also havechanged the design of the bottle

to make it more recyclable. Thatmeans it is easier for these bottlesto be turned into another valuableproduct after their first use as abeverage container. Our membershave modified the labels on thebottles and even how they areattached to the bottles to make thematerials easier to separate in therecycling process. Recyclers evenwant the plastic caps back whenyou recycle your bottles.

One of the most excitingdevelopments in PET bottlemanufacturing is using plant-based material instead of oil toproduce the plastic in the bottles.Using renewable material to makeour packaging is an importantway we can preserve resourcesand spur innovation in otherindustries, as well.

Despite groundbreakingpackaging design, we must relyon our consumers to performthe critical step of recycling ourbottles, cans and cartons afteruse. Not that we are leavingthat to chance: We are involvedactively in efforts to improverecycling programs, becausewe know that we need to doa better job as a country inrecovering more materials fromthe waste stream.

We provide research and

support for communities usingbest practices for their recyclingprograms. In a recent project inKnoxville, Tenn., the beverageindustry helped conversionto single stream recycling (allrecyclables go in one cart) withgood promotion, educationsupport and incentives forhouseholds to participate.

Expanding recyclingprograms to recover materialsaway from home — at work, inparks and in public spaces —can boost recovery further. OnRecycleTogether.com wehave documented best-performingrecycling programs, and wecontinue our work in this area.The beverage industry alsosupports comprehensive recyclingprograms that ensure access torecycling and we encourage amix of approaches to providesustainable funding for community

recycling programs. Incentives inthe form of rate reform for trashpickup, so households that throwaway more also pay more, are aproven way to boost recycling.

As we mark 42 yearssince the first Earth Day, weare proud of our industry’sleadership on the environmentalfront — with our facilities, ourfleets and our packaging. Westrive to remain on the leadingedge of innovation and policydevelopment to improve thesustainability of our businessesand our products, whilesatisfying consumer demand andgrowing our businesses. Pleaselearn more about the differencethis industry is making for thebetterment of the environment atameribev.org. We intend tocontinue to deliver on all of thesefronts for a more vibrant andsustainable environment.

This Ultra LED A19 light bulb by OSRAM SYLVANIA can replace your typical100-watt incandescent bulb while using only 18 watts. Even better, it lasts 25times longer and fits into any standard screw socket. (Photo courtesy of theAmerican Lighting Association.)

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7ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

Understanding SustainablePackaging Options

Robb De KleineResearch Specialist, University of MichiganCenter for Sustainable Systems

WHAT MAKES FORsustainable packaging? Manyconsumers consider recyclablepackaging to be sustainable.While this is one importantaspect of sustainability, thequestion is more complex. Afterall, not all recyclable materialsactually are recycled. Forexample, even though aluminumbeverage containers can berecycled into new containersrepeatedly, and the recyclinginfrastructure for this type ofpackaging is well established,only about half of thesecontainers are actually recycled.Although recycling packagingcan reduce the amount of solidwaste sent to landfills, there canbe environmental tradeoffs. Forinstance, consumers often rinsecontainers prior to recycling, thusincreasing water consumptionin the home. To judge thesustainability of packaging, weneed a way to understand thesepotential tradeoffs.

Fortunately, a method calledlife cycle assessment can helpus evaluate the sustainability ofpackaging and other goods. Inlife cycle assessment, a product isstudied through every stage of itsexistence, including raw materialproduction, manufacturing, useand end of life. By calculatingthe material and energy inputsand outputs for each stage, onecan understand a product’s totalenvironmental impact.

The Center for SustainableSystems at the University ofMichigan has used life cycleassessment to find ways toimprove the sustainability ofpackaging systems. For example,we worked with Stonyfield Farms,producers of organic yogurt, toevaluate their product deliverysystem. When the company wasconsidering changing its yogurtlids, our research showed thatswitching from the previous plasticlid and plastic film closure toa foil closure used 16 percentless energy. This change savedenough energy to power about180 U.S. households for a year.

A common approachto making packaging moresustainable is to reduce theamount of packaging. SinceWalmart pledged only to sellconcentrated liquid laundrydetergent, many manufacturersnow produce smaller bottlesof detergent with the samecleaning power as the previous,larger bottles. These smallerbottles require less plastic tomanufacture, which meansless petroleum is necessary toproduce the plastic and lessmaterial ends up in the landfillwhen the bottle is emptied. Inaddition, more bottles can beshipped to the store in the sametruck space, thus reducing theamount of fuel neededfor transport.

Another opportunity toimprove the sustainability ofpacking is to utilize refillablepackaging systems. Historically,it was common for milk to bedelivered to American homesin refillable bottles. Today,disposable plastic jugs are themost common retail packagingfor milk, but our researchshowed that adopting refillablemilk packaging would haveenvironmental advantages. Eventhough refillable containersneed to be stronger and,therefore, require more materialto manufacture, they still wouldrequire less material consumptionthan the disposable packagingthey would replace. Using

refillable packaging wouldreduce packaging costs, energyconsumption and solid wastesignificantly.

Life cycle assessment isa useful tool for evaluatingalternative packaging designs(For more information, pleasevisit http://css.snre.umich.edu).Other strategies for improving

the sustainability performanceof packaging include useof bio-based materials,dematerialization, increasingrecycled content and bulkmerchandising. Ultimately,packaging must protect theproduct because damagedgoods have a negative impact onsustainability.

Paul T. Anastas, PhDTeresa and H. John Heinz III Professor in the Practice of Chemistry for theEnvironment, School of Forestry & Environmental Studies; Director, Centerfor Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, Yale University

Julie B. Zimmerman, PhDAssociate Professor of Green Engineering, School of Engineeringand Applied Science (Department of Chemical and EnvironmentalEngineering), School of Forestry and Environment, Yale University

INNOVATION. INNOVATION WAS THEreal hero that saved the ozone layer and iscontinuing to protect it. The people who diagnosedthe emerging problem before it could become atragedy are heroes as well. Credit also goes to thosewho invented the new materials and approachesthat allowed society to maintain its quality of lifeand economic growth while eliminating a class ofchemicals, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), that it hadcome to rely upon.

Common uses for CFCs were as coolants inrefrigeration systems, as coolants and propellantsin air conditioning systems, as solvents for

cleaning electronic components and as blowingagents in plastic-foam manufacturing. To eliminatethese damaging chemicals, it was necessary toredesign complex industrial systems; this overhaulrequired scientific knowledge, insight, researchand collaboration.

Concern over the depletion of the ozone layerled to the great success of an international treaty,the Montreal Protocol. People began to take noticeafter Drs. Frank Sherwood Rowland, Mario Molinaand Paul J. Crutzen spotlighted the fact that CFCsreaching the stratosphere were responsible for thedepletion of the ozone layer. (The three scientists

later won the Nobel Prize for their work.) Therewas a recognition that depleting the ozone layerwould result in potentially tragic effects on people’shealth and the environment. Consequently, leadersfrom all levels mobilized to address the issue. In1987, over 150 nations came together to ratify theaforementioned Montreal Protocol, which called forthe phasing out of CFCs for virtually all significantuses. This has largely taken place.

What was needed to make this important pacta reality was the genius of scientists and engineers— innovators — to invent and develop the newapproaches that would allow the world to maintainaccess to the services that CFCs produced withoutthe harm that they caused. And they did it. Theuse of CFCs as a high-performance cleaner wasaddressed by a range of approaches, includingcompressing carbon dioxide (CO2) gas into a fluidthat functions much like a CFC. A similar approachallowed structural foams, such as Styrofoam, to bemade using CO2 instead of CFCs.

Collectively, these innovations and many moreallowed for tremendously positive results. According

to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),“Because of the phaseout, CFCs are no longeraccumulating in the atmosphere at an acceleratingrate. CFC-11 and CFC-113 levels are decreasing...If international agreements are adhered to, theozone layer is expected to recover around 2050.”

The health benefits are equally impressive. Perthe EPA, “The phaseout of CFCs is expected tohave direct health benefits over the next century,including reduced incidence of skin cancer andcataracts, decreased risks to human immunesystems, and increased protection of plant andanimal life from excessive UV exposure.”

The innovations that made the MontrealProtocol a reality also taught us important lessons.The first is that not all of the solutions needed tobe new chemicals to replace CFCs. For instance,printed circuit boards are utilizing “no-clean”technologies that do not require any solvents.Moreover, innovators in the developing world havedesigned “refrigerators” without using refrigerantchemicals, instead exploiting evaporative coolingand their native pottery. The second lesson isthat continuous improvement is essential. Themost immediate replacements for CFCs were theso-called HCFCs, a modification that dramatically

reduced the ozone depleting potential of thechemicals. However, a remaining problem with theHCFCs is that they have significant global warmingpotential. While HCFCs were a tremendous stepforward, those who follow with next innovationsto address these challenges must pursue systemsthinking so that we achieve our technologicalgoals without unintended consequences.

For more information on health andenvironmental benefits of CFC elimination pleasevisit: epa.gov/ozone/geninfo/benefits.htmland epa.gov/sunwise/uvandhealth.html.

Protecting the Ozone Layer Through Innovation

g p g ability.n

“If international agreements are adheredto, the ozone layer is expected to recover.”

A product isstudied throughevery stage of itsexistence, includingraw materialproduction,manufacturing, useand end of life.

Stonyfield eliminated these plastic yogurt tops in favor of more environmentally-friendly foil tops. (Photocourtesy of Center for Sustainable Systems, School of Natural Resources and Environment, University ofMichigan.)

Fuel Efficiency – The Roadto Auto Industry SuccessMichelle RobinsonDirector of the Clean Vehicles ProgramUnion of Concerned Scientists

JUST A FEW SHORT YEARSa after being saved from thebrink of collapse, the U.S. autoindustry is getting back on itsfeet, hiring back workers andincreasing production.

The prospect of areinvigorated auto industry isexciting, but the industry muststay on track by meeting thedemands of a changing marketand avoiding the same pitfallsthat led to its brush with disaster.

Put simply, the old wayof doing things doesn’t workanymore. As consumers, weneed a new kind of vehicle, onethat is not only powerful andpractical, but also protects usfrom rising gasoline prices. As acountry, we need vehicles that cutour oil use; save us money; andreduce the harmful, heat-trappingcarbon dioxide pollution thatcauses climate change.

The U.S. auto markethas already fallen behind.European and Asian nations aredemanding that vehicles be morefuel efficient, and automakershave responded by investingin their overseas plants. Now,with tougher U.S. standards onthe horizon, we must invest ininnovation here in the UnitedStates to produce clean, fuel-efficient vehicles.

Strong fuel efficiency andglobal warming pollutionstandards will push the U.S.auto industry to regain itstechnological lead. Accordingto a report by Citigroup, strongfuel efficiency standards willlikely boost the industry’s profits,sales and global competitiveness.Another analysis, by the nonprofitCeres, concluded that strongerstandards could help createhundreds of thousands of full-timejobs in 2030, tens of thousandsof those in the auto industry.

Last November, the Obamaadministration took a big steptoward new fuel efficiencyand global warming pollutionstandards for cars, trucks andSUVs. For vehicles sold in

model years 2017 to 2025,the administration proposed astandard that will nearly doublenew vehicle fuel economyand cut their global warmingpollution levels to 163 gramsper mile by 2025.

Automakers can meetsuch a standard with existingtechnology, including moreefficient engines, smartertransmissions, stronger materialsand conventional hybridpowertrains. In fact, automakersare already starting to put someof this technology to work,thanks to a first round of fuelefficiency and global warmingpollution standards that arealready phasing in from 2012to 2016, just in time to helpconsumers deal with the latestgas price spikes.

When combined, thatfirst round and the proposedstandards would cut oilconsumption by as much as3.5 million barrels per day —54 billion gallons of gasolineannually — by 2030. That isnearly equivalent to U.S. importsfrom Canada and Mexico in2010. Less fuel consumption willkeep more money in drivers’wallets, instead of contributing tothe $2 billion a day we spend onoil when prices are over $100per barrel. And for children, likemy niece who is three years oldtoday — these standards willhelp ensure that when they areready to drive in 2025, theywill have cleaner, more efficientchoices in the marketplace.

If U.S. automakers are goingto remain competitive, theymust accept the challenge thechanging market is presenting.Ford’s recent announcementthat it plans to double thenumber of engineers workingspecifically on maximizing fueleconomy in its product line isa great example of the kind ofcommitments companies canmake now. We need a newkind of vehicle, one that notonly meets, but beats the newstandards. And, as it has timeand time again, the U.S. autoindustry can—and should—stand and deliver.


Communities looking to help consumers install home chargingstations for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles (PHEVs andEVs) now have an easily accessible resource to jump-startthe process.

Thanks to members of the U.S. DRIVE Grid InteractionTech Team (GITT), which include the U.S. Council forAutomotive Research LLC (USCAR), electric utilities andthe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), an online resourceis now available which offers a model streamlining processfor permitting and inspecting home-charging stations forPHEVs and EVs, as well as information tools for the actualinstallation process.

The tools, which were announced by DOE as part of itsClean Cities Initiative, are aimed at informing and assistingconsumers, installers, governments and businesses.

The first tool is a six-page permitting template that can beeasily adapted by local governments to help standardizepermitting and inspection procedures for plug-in electricvehicles (PHEVs) between different regions. The secondtool is a 30-minute video titled, “Electric Vehicle SupplyEquipment (EVSE) Residential Home Charging Installation,”and is intended for electrical contractors and inspectors.It covers all aspects of setting up a home charge station.Both tools will help accelerate the approval process forhome charging stations.

The Grid Interaction Tech Team helped to identify and addressroadblocks that would prevent successful commercializationof all types of plug-in electric vehicles. Team members,which include USCAR, utility partners, the Electric PowerResearch Institute (EPRI), EVSE installers, DOE and nationallaboratories, also identified ways to streamline the EVSEinstallation and permit process as the number one priorityto support the adoption of PHEVs and EVs. GITT members,especially the USCAR members, agreed that, if PHEVs andEVs are to gain mass acceptance by consumers, it is mission-critical to reduce the amount of time vehicle buyers have towait to have vehicle charge stations installed at their homes.

The project team mapped out a model permit streamliningstrategy, including a national EVSE permit template with consistentlanguage and format that local electrical inspectors and EVSEinstallers (the electrical contractors) can use if they so choose.

Additionally, they helped the Energy Efficiency andRenewableEnergy (EERE)CleanCities teamdevelopcontentrequirements for training materials to support the permitprocess, and train electrical contractors and inspectorswho will be on the front line of making their communitiesEV-ready.

“The Grid Interaction Tech Team was created in 2009 todevelop technology solutions that would lead to successfulcommercialization of plug-in electric vehicles,” said Eric M.Lee, GITT co-chair and Infrastructure Strategy & EnergyPartnerships, Hybrid / Electric Vehicles at Chrysler Group.“Consumer choice will drive this market. And, our workin streamlining the permitting and inspecting process forhome-charging stations will help shape vehicle-buyers’choice in favor of plug-in electric vehicles.”

The permit documents and video are available on EERE’sClean Cities website. Specifically, permit and supportingdocuments may be accessed at: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/EV_charging_template.pdf, with the videoaccessible at: http://bit.ly/EVS Echarginginstall

About USCAR Founded in 1992, USCAR is thecollaborative automotive technology company for ChryslerGroup LLC, Ford Motor Company and General Motors. Thegoal of USCAR is to further strengthen the technology baseof the domestic auto industry through cooperative researchand development. For more information, visit USCAR’swebsite at www.uscar.org

About U.S. DRIVEUSCAR is a partner in U.S. DRIVE, which stands for UnitedStates Driving Research and Innovation for Vehicle efficiencyand Energy sustainability. U.S. DRIVE is a voluntary,non-binding, and non-legal partnership among theU.S. Department of Energy; USCAR; Tesla Motors; fiveenergy companies – BP America, Chevron Corporation,ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil Corporation, and Shell OilProducts US; two utilities – Southern California Edison andDTE Energy; and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

The U.S. DRIVE mission is to accelerate the development ofpre-competitive and innovative technologies to enable a fullrange of efficient and clean advanced light-duty vehicles,as well as related energy infrastructure.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. DRIVE TEAM HELPS TOJUMP-START PERMITTING FOR PLUG-IN ANDELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS

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