Climate Change Occurring Based on Survey of Energy Engineers

ATLANTA, June 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A recent survey conducted by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), based on 2,967 responses, has revealed that 83% of respondents believe climate change is happening (go to www.aeecenter.org/2013markettrends for full report), and 74% of those individuals believe that climate change is a manmade phenomenon, with 85% indicating that the federal government should take action to combat the negative effects of climate change. Respondents reported they would support the following options to reduce climate change:

• Restrict emissions from coal-burning power plants: 69%
• Adopt new energy efficiency standards for home: 77%
• Increase automobile fuel economy standards: 77%
• Pursue further development of renewable energy: 83%
• Reduce reliance on carbon-based energy sources: 76%

72% of those surveyed believe that the President should approve the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. When asked for their thoughts on potential cuts to the Department of Energy's funding in order to reduce the US government's budget deficit 36% of respondents agreed that funding should be increased, 25% agreed that funding should be decreased and 38% agreed that funding should remain the same. Here are some additional findings from the survey:

• 64% support government incentives for the continued development of electric vehicles
• 75% believe that natural gas should be used as a baseload power source
• 55% support government incentives for natural gas vehicles
• 67% of respondents' companies have considered the installation of renewable technologies at their facilities
• 57% of respondents' companies or governmental entities have policies concerning sustainability

According to Al Thumann, Executive Director of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), "Climate Change will be the driving force for implementing energy efficiency strategies to reduce greenhouse gases." In the last fifteen years there has been an 84% increase in the number of weather related disasters in the United States totaling one billion dollars or more. The cost for extreme weather in 2012 has caused this to be the second most costly in US history as noted by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). There have been 11 natural disasters in 2012 alone that have cost at least $1 billion each, this along with damage from Hurricane Sandy and the ongoing drought, is expected to cause $100 billion or more in damages. These and other issues will be presented at the World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC) to be held September 25-27, 2013 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The WEEC covers the total spectrum of energy management and alternative energy technologies for the commercial, institutional, industrial, and government marketplace. Presented by AEE, along with Association Energy Leader, Alliance to Save Energy, Silver Sponsor, Trane, and Bronze Sponsors, U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR, North America Power Partners and Toyota, the WEEC will feature a large, 13-track conference agenda, a full line-up of seminars on a variety of current topics and a comprehensive exposition of the market's most promising new technologies. Among featured speakers for 2013 are former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan, and Exxon Mobil Vice President for Corporate Strategic Planning William (Bill) Colton. View the full conference program, special events and more at the WEEC show website, www.energycongress.com.

About AEE: The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), a professional association, is augmented by its strong membership base of over 16,000 professionals in 89 countries and its widely recognized energy certification program in the fields of energy engineering and energy management, renewable and alternative energy, power generation, energy services, sustainability, and all related areas. Its network of 82 local chapters located throughout the U.S. and abroad meet regularly to discuss issues of regional importance. For more on AEE, go to www.aeecenter.org.

SOURCE Association of Energy Engineers