Clean Energy Takes Center Stage at State of the Union

Last night's State of the Union address pushed clean energy politics to the forefront of American televisions everywhere. President Obama positioned clean energy at the core of the country's progress toward economic recovery; with the power to create jobs, help alleviate the strapped budgets of middle-class families, and maintain a competitive edge in global markets. With applause spreading across the aisle as his speech wore on, the President's support of clean energy was hard to argue with; "because the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy. And America must be that nation."

DOE gets serious about Energy Efficiency standards

It has been rumored that some energy efficient appliances may not perform quite as efficiently advertised. Though against the law, the issue has received little attention. Until now.  In response to the sub-standard performance of a certain freezer, the US Dept of Energy has commited to step up enforcement of energy efficiency standards for appliances. Yesterday, the Dept received energy use data on 600,000 residential appliances in order to determine compliance with standards and protect the Energy STAR brand.

One small step for freezers, one big step for consumer protection!

Bonds for Energy Efficiency in WA Schools

Dunshee wants $860m in bonds for energy-efficient schools
Posted by Jim Brunner, Seattle Times

"House Capital Budget Chairman Hans Dunshee today rolled out a proposal to issue $860 million in state bonds to pay for energy-efficiency upgrades at schools across the state.
The idea is to put people back to work while also making public schools more energy efficient through new lighting, insulation and other upgrades. Dunhsee, D-Snohomish, said that such efficiency projects have been proven to pay for themselves in the long run.
He estimates his bill would create 38,000 jobs and save $190 million in energy costs.
"That's the mom, apple pie and baseball of politics," Dunshee said at a news conference this afternoon.

click here for the full article