The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has joined
with eight Energy Star partner utilities and state energy
efficiency programs located throughout the country in a pilot
program to target commercial building energy efficiency.

Leaders from 15 countries, the European Commission, and
the United States have held the first policy meeting of the
International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation
(IPEEC). DOE Assistant Secretary Cathy Zoi was picked as
the first policy committee chair.

Assistant Secretary Cathy Zoi of the joined leaders from 15
countries and the European Commission today at the first
Policy Committee meeting of the International Partnership for
Energy Efficiency Cooperation to promote global collaboration
on energy-saving programs and policies.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
sponsoring a national energy efficiency contest, featuring 14
commercial buildings from across the country competing to
trim kilowatt-hours. The winner will be announced at EPA’s
final “weigh-in” on October 26.

Vice President Joe Biden has announced the 25 communities
selected for up to $452 million in Recovery Act funds under
DOE’s “Retrofit Ramp-Up.” The funds will leverage an
estimated $2.8 billion from other sources for these pilot
projects.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has selected the
top ten green buildings for 2010, citing examples in six states
and two foreign countries of buildings which make the best
use of energy efficiency strategies such as natural
daylighting, shading, and ventilation.

DOE has selected the 20 collegiate teams to compete in the
2011 Solar Decathlon, which will be held on the National Mall
in Washington, D.C. The teams, representing five countries
and four continents, will compete to design and build the
most affordable energy-efficient and solar-powered houses.

DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
have announced changes to the certification process for
Energy Star products. Manufacturers must now submit
complete lab reports to the EPA for its review and approval.

The United States has invested $4 billion in Recovery Act
funds for the energy-efficient construction and renovation of
federal buildings nationwide. The money is being spent on
new construction and upgrades such as high-efficiency
heating and cooling, solar panels, and solar water heaters.

DOE has finalized tougher appliance standards for home
water heaters and other heating products. The new standards
will save consumers up to $10 billion over 30 years and are
part of the $300 billion that will be saved from DOE’s
increased standards on more than 20 types of products.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the
Department of Energy today jointly announced changes to
the ENERGY STAR product certification process to ensure that
only products meeting the ENERGY STAR requirements can
receive an ENERGY STAR label.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven Chu
announced today that the Department has finalized higher
energy efficiency standards for a key group of heating
appliances that will together save consumers up to $10 billion
and prevent up to 164 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
emissions over 30 years.

DOE is committing $37.5 million in funding over the next five
years to support the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research
Center. The joint initiative will focus initially on building
energy efficiency and clean vehicles, as well as carbon
capture and storage.