NEEA Exceeds Savings Targets for 2011

PORTLAND, Ore., July 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) today released its 2011 Annual Report to the public. The non-profit, which collaborates with more than 100 Northwest utilities, Bonneville Power Administration, and the Energy Trust of Oregon to accelerate energy efficiency, reports 2011 energy savings of 44.6 average megawatts (aMW). The total regional savings associated with NEEA's initiatives is 802 aMW since it was started in 1997 - enough energy to power almost 600,000 Northwest households annually.

The report highlights NEEA's unique value to the Northwest as a regional organization working across Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

"Energy efficiency is our first best resource for meeting Northwest energy demands now and into the future," Governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, stated in the report. "NEEA's efforts to accelerate energy efficiency are benefitting energy consumers, protecting the environment, and helping to improve the bottom line for Montana businesses. I commend NEEA and its funders for having the bold vision to meet the Northwest's energy demands head on."

This year's Annual Report highlights NEEA's investment in Emerging Technology to ensure a robust energy efficiency pipeline and continued long-term delivery of cost-effective energy savings. NEEA launched several new initiatives in 2011 moving 750 aMW of long-term energy savings potential into the energy efficiency pipeline.

Some highlights of the year's activities include:

• NEEA trained more than 15,000 professionals through 4,300 events across the region to promote, deliver, install and maintain energy-efficient products, services and practices.
• NEEA challenged building owners and operators to improve efficiency through building energy competitions. More than 180 commercial buildings, representing more than 43 million square feet of office space, saved a combined 4.74 aMW through competitions alone.
• NEEA developed and released an updated Northern Climate Specification for heat pump water heaters to influence manufacturers to develop products that offer comfort and energy savings in cooler, northern climates.
• NEEA conducted a 1,600-home study of Northwest Residential Building Stock characteristics to inform regional energy efficiency program planning efforts.

"Together with our funders, NEEA leverages the power of the entire region to increase the long-term potential for energy efficiency and help achieve a more sustainable Northwest," said Susan E. Stratton, NEEA's executive director.

The 2011 Annual Report is available as a digital edition for the first time this year. Read it online at http://neea.org/annualreport.

About the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is a non-profit organization working to accelerate energy efficiency to meet our future energy needs. NEEA is supported by and works in collaboration with the Bonneville Power Administration, Energy Trust of Oregon and more than 100 Northwest utilities on behalf of more than 12 million energy consumers. NEEA uses the market power of the region to accelerate the innovation and adoption of energy-efficient products, services and practices. Since 1997, NEEA and its partners have saved enough energy to power almost 600,000 homes each year. Energy efficiency can satisfy more than half of our new demand for energy, saving money and keeping the Northwest a healthy and vibrant place to live. www.neea.org

SOURCE Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance