Energy Efficiency, Jobs Creation, Environmental Impacts - PEERS Topics in DC

DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The PEERS Alliance Steering Committee experienced first hand the phrase, "it is the people's seat" and how these words apply to all of us at a national level during a two-day visit with members of Congress in Washington, D.C.

The Program for Energy Efficiency Through Responsible Stimulus (PEERS), is a grassroots initiative that seeks matching government funds for existing state and utility energy efficiency rebates. The PEERS Committee is headed by the interNational Association of Lighting Management Companies (NALMCO). PEERS seeks to direct ARRA stimulus funds towards energy efficient lighting retrofit projects in a public/private sector partnership.

According to NALMCO President Jim Frank, CLMC, of Facility Solutions Group in Shawnee Mission, KS, "We are asking the government to direct $16 Billion of the ARRA stimulus act's nearly $800 Billion to support energy efficiency retrofit programs. These additional rebates will help business owners retrofit their facilities with energy efficient equipment that will lower utility bills and reduce the cost of doing business. The PEERS initiative provides a proven conduit for stimulus dollars to enter the economy, produce measurable results, create jobs, reduce pollution and increase our nation's energy independence."

Prior to the trip to Washington, DC, The PEERS Alliance Steering Committee followed up on proposed proactive energy/incentive legislation directed toward private residences. Sponsors were thanked for their support of H.R. 4226 and S. 1637, and asked to review the information contained on the PEERS Website at www.peers-alliance.org.

PEERS Steering Committee Chairman Randy Breske, CLMC, of Stay-Lite Lighting, Inc. in Pewaukee, WI, states, "PEERS is an opportunity for our industry to take a leadership role in the nation's economic recovery. The PEERS initiative has the potential to generate thousands of new energy efficient projects across the country, each of which brings tangible benefits for business owners, the economy and the public. We were pleased with the response to our efforts to introduce PEERS, including multiple invitations to make personal visits and presentations."

These invitations put into motion a personal visit to Washington, DC, by PEERS Alliance Steering Committee Members: Jim Frank, NALMCO President; PEERS Steering Committee Chairman Randy Breske; and PEERS Steering Committee Member Ray Pustinger, CLMC, CEM, CDSM. The group shared the basic tenets of the PEERS concept:

• The PEERS concept represents a unique opportunity to immediately address all of the core goals of the ARRA stimulus; Job creation, responsible deployment of ARRA funds, reduced dependence on foreign energy, reduced energy consumption, and the attendant environmental benefits.
• The 16 Billion Dollar PEERS allocation would immediately flow through existing, proven state incentive programs via a piggyback match that would double prescriptive and formulaic incentive levels for a two year period.
• The case for more aggressive incentive policy is well documented.  It is a fact that the economic, grid congestion and environmental benefits delivered by these state programs will more than double when the incentives are doubled.
• Management, validation, and oversight of the PEERS allocation is already in place with the state programs, so a PEERS allocation would flow through without administrative dilution.
• And, most importantly, the direct benefits of the concept are "immediate and shovel ready". Funding of this program over two years will result in:
  • Creation and retention of jobs (77,240 projected direct jobs, plus retention related to operating cost reductions)
  • Positive environmental impacts through massive reductions in energy consumption (16 billion annual Kilowatt hour reduction projected)
  • Positive steps toward energy independence (141 million barrels of   foreign oil usage reduced annually)
  • Stimulation of local and national economy ($17 billion in new commerce and $7 billion in new operating cost reductions will ripple through the economy)
  • A true public and private partnership.  The ARRA piggyback matches incentives are funded by utility ratepayers making it a true public and private partnership.

The PEERS message was well received. Without exception, each office applauded NALMCO for their actions and embraced the ideas behind the PEERS Alliance. According to PEERS Steering Committee Member Ray Pustinger of Precision-Paragon [P2] in Yorba Linda, CA, "While the PEERS concept is fueled by energy efficiency, it's most compelling benefit today is immediate jobs creation.  We found in our visits with congressional leaders that an opportunity exists to include a PEERS concept allocation as a part of the jobs legislation currently being worked on." The next step is to reach out to Senators and Representatives involved in drafting legislation focused on increasing employment.

During the two-day visit, the Steering Committee met with 11 concerned Americans, Statesmen, and Patriots and delivered a unified message, Our great country and its economy are facing some critical issues and challenges, the solution to which will come only through ideas and involvement from people like us. This is the people's seat.

Thank you to the following offices for their support and willingness to visit and listen to our ideas:

About PEERS:

Visit the PEERS Website at www.peers-alliance.org.

About NALMCO:

Visit the NALMCO Website at www.nalmco.org.

SOURCE The PEERS Alliance Steering Committee