The First Facility Management Blog

(Image courtesy of IBM)

IBM and Johnson Controls have formed a new relationship to provide a Smart Building Solution that can improve operations and reduce energy and water consumption in buildings worldwide.

Building on an existing relationship formed in 2007 to create energy efficient data centers, this new offering can benefit any building or portfolio of buildings. Johnson Controls will combine its experience in energy efficiency and sustainable services and technologies with IBM’s experience in software, hardware, and services. The result will help facility management professionals address the growing pressure to improve energy and asset management performance across their enterprises.

Key elements of the offering are designed to address critical building performance areas including systems integration, energy management, enterprise reporting, space utilization, and asset management.

• Systems Integration: The integration of building systems, business systems, and smart grid technologies using Johnson Controls’ EnNet and IBM software offers increased information on the performance of buildings to reduce operating costs and keep occupants safe, comfortable, and productive.
• Energy Management: Energy management offerings that use energy waste detection, reporting, and intelligent control capabilities have proven potential to drive between 10% and 20% energy savings across an enterprise. The Johnson Controls Metasys Sustainability Manager, combined with IBM business analytics software, provides actionable information to help reduce energy consumption and waste.
• Enterprise Reporting: The Johnson Controls’ Energy and Emissions Management System, with IBM enterprise reporting capability, provides organizations with the capability to calculate greenhouse gas levels by measuring, managing, and forecasting activities related to energy cost, consumption, energy efficiency projects, fleet emissions, and waste.
• Space Optimization: Johnson Controls’ Visible Living Lab tools and services, combined with IBM building space management solutions and advanced analytics, provide visibility across a building or building complex, driving between 10% and 20% improvement in space utilization. Underused space can be identified and more efficient options defined, including footprint consolidation, divestiture, and relocation.

The Johnson Controls Metasys Building Management System integrated with the IBM Maximo asset management solution provides tools and services that deliver between 10% and 20% savings across enterprises by enabling visibility across a building portfolio, boosting the efficiency of facility operations, and improving occupant safety and comfort, use, and lifecycle management.

Core solution components include IBM Tivoli Monitoring for Energy Management, IBM Business Services Manager, and IBM Maximo Asset Management, IBM Maximo Asset Management for Energy Optimization; and Johnson Controls’ Metasys Building Management Solution, Metasys Sustainability Manager, Energy and Emissions Management System, EnNEt middleware, Visual Living Lab and Technology Contracting services.

Facility managers and business owners are thinking twice before tweaking workplace temperature settings. According to a new survey of office workers, 69% said they would be willing to sacrifice their preferred ideal temperature in the office to help their company conserve energy. However the survey also found that nearly four in five participants (78%) say they are less productive at work when they are too hot or too cold.

Johnson Controls commissioned a survey of nearly 800 American adults who work in an office setting. The good news: The findings indicate that many workers think their employers could be doing more to be energy efficient. The challenge: business owners must avoid a negative impact on office productivity and the possibility that workers may take action to circumvent their discomfort, including the use of portable heaters or fans, if temperatures are not ideal.

“Employers may be tempted to turn down the thermostats this fall, but this quick fix could lead to hidden costs,” said Clay Nesler, vice president of Global Energy and Sustainability, Johnson Controls. “Energy efficient systems and equipment is the win-win alternative, allowing businesses to save energy and money without sacrificing workplace productivity.”

Almost all participants (98%) said their office has been too hot or too cold at some point and when that occurs, most (78%) said they are less productive. Not only does workplace productivity suffer, individual actions—such as bringing a heating or cooling device into the office—result in increased energy use.

Additional findings:

• 49% of office workers have used a fan when it was too hot in their office, and 28% used a space heater when it was too cold.
• Nearly one-third (30%) have left their office building to take a walk outside when it was too hot or too cold in their work space.
• 41% have informed their office manager or custodian of their discomfort.
• Approximately seven in 10 (69%) have adjusted their clothing, such as adding a sweater, if was too cold or removing a layer if it was too hot.

American workers expect their employers to take action. The results indicate that 45% think their employer is not doing enough to make their office environments energy efficient.

In January of 2008, the Hollywood City Commission approved a $13.9 million performance contract with Johnson Controls to outfit the city with a Wi-Fi (wireless) communications platform to allow for automated water meter reading, wireless access to Federal and State crime databases for police officers, and wireless access to the city’s network for building inspectors and code enforcement officers working in the field. The technology project was officially launched early last month (July 9, 2009).

Dubbed Wireless Hollywood: Efficiency Through Innovation, the creation of a free outdoor Wi-Fi system throughout the city will improve the efficiency of numerous city departments including Public Utilities, Police, Code Enforcement, and Building. The operational and energy efficiencies are expected to save Hollywood more than $23 million during a 15-year period.

Johnson Controls, under the terms of the performance contract, guarantees the performance of the technology improvements. The savings will come from the performance of the wireless technologies, which will create operational efficiencies in multiple departments and streamline many city functions.

“This project puts Hollywood on the cutting edge of Florida’s cities in terms of technology,” said Hollywood City Manager Cameron Benson. “As we seek to attract more international tourists and businesses and build on Hollywood’s unique location as the home to Port Everglades, this wireless platform becomes a selling point few other cities can offer.”

The Wi-Fi network offers all businesses additional flexibility, but will particularly benefit creative industries whose employees are often working on location. This initiative underscores the city of Hollywood’s commitment to using technology to enhance the efficiency and quality of municipal services. It’s a commitment that earned Hollywood the distinction of being named a top 10 digital city in both 2007 and 2008 by the Center for Digital Government.

The new Wi-Fi communications platform offers both the 2.4 frequency that allows users to enjoy outdoor Internet access at speeds similar to that of DSL, and the licensed 4.9 frequency, enabling police officers in squad cars to download information vital to public safety quickly and efficiently over a secure network.

The wireless technology will also enable Hollywood’s water meter reading process to become fully automated, ensuring all utility customers obtain accurate and timely water billings based on actual usage. An automated system also gives the city flexible billing options and greater leak detection capabilities. The city will utilize the wireless network to continually improve operational efficiency and customer service by providing wireless access to other city staff responsible for performing work in the field.

Johnson Controls, Inc., the global leader in energy efficiency and sustainability, and the International Facility Management Association will release the results of the third annual Energy Efficiency Indicator (EEI) on May 6 at 10 a.m. (CST) via Webcast.

This annual research report is based on a survey of more than 1,400 North American business leaders who are responsible for energy efficiency. The 2009 EEI Webcast will reveal how events from the past year have impacted the management of energy within their facilities, including financing strategies, expected return-on-investment, and their outlook on building efficiency trends.

Highlights from the 2009 EEI results include:

• Energy efficiency remains strong despite the economic situation. More than 70 percent of respondents are paying more attention to energy efficiency now than they were in 2008.
• Eighty-five percent of executives believe significant legislation mandating energy efficiency and/or carbon reduction is likely within the next two years, up from 76 percent in 2008.
• Forty-five percent of business leaders say improving energy efficiency in their buildings is their top strategy to meet carbon reduction commitments.

Who will be on the Webcast?

• C. David Myers, vice president and president of Building Efficiency, Johnson Controls
• Don Albinger, vice president of renewable energy, Johnson Controls
• Clay Nesler, vice president of global energy and sustainability, Johnson Controls
• Don Young, vice president of communications, IFMA

Several leading companies will also present their responses to the 2009 EEI report and live question and answer sessions for media participants will be incorporated into the Webcast.

Please visit http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=57320 for registration information and a link to the EEI Webcast.

Participants may dial into the conference via listen-only mode using the following numbers 412-858-4600 or 800-860-2442.

Earlier this week, a more than $500 million building upgrade program for the Empire State Building was announced. Serving as a test case and model for energy efficiency upgrades in large, existing buildings, this project involves several environmental consulting, non-profit, design, and construction partners—including the Clinton Climate Initiative, Rocky Mountain Institute, Johnson Controls Inc., and Jones Lang LaSalle.

The program now underway at this New York City architectural icon uses a comprehensive approach that integrates multiple steps and measures to use energy more productively. With integration as a key, the program is expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 38% percent and will provide a replicable model for similar projects. Building systems work is slated to be completed by the end of 2010, with the balance of the work in tenant spaces planned for completion by the end of 2013. (Work scheduled to be complete within 18 months will result in over 50% of the projected energy savings. The balance will be an additional 36 months completed by 2013.)

Original construction of the Empire State Building was completed in 1931.

The parties involved spent eight months in the “project definition process” during which time the team analyzed the steps to be taken in conjunction with other steps towards sustainability as part of the Empire State ReBuilding program. The process was also evaluated within the framework of the U.S. Green Building Council LEED rating system. (Internal calculations show that the Empire State Building will be able to qualify for Gold certification for LEED for Existing Buildings, and the ownership intends to pursue such certification.) Additionally, the building is expected to achieve an ENERGY STAR score of 90, placing it in the top 10% of efficiency for Class A buildings.

Jones Lang LaSalle is serving as program manager of the collaborative team under the direction of Anthony E. Malkin of Empire State Building Company to develop the first comprehensive approach to model steps for the reduction of energy consumption, and to share details of the process to create a replicable model for energy projects in buildings around the world. With an initial estimated project cost of $20 million, additional savings and redirection of expenditures originally planned in the building’s upgrade program, and additional alternative spending in tenant installations, the Empire State Building will save $4.4 million in annual energy savings costs, repay its net extra cost in about three years, and cut its overall carbon output.

An Integrated Retrofit Approach
The project partners used existing and newly created modeling, measurement, and projection tools in a repeatable process to analyze the Empire State Building and establish a full understanding of its energy use as well as its functional efficiencies and deficiencies. This provided actionable recommendations along a cost-benefit curve to increase efficiency and without harming bottom line performance.

Clay Nesler, vice president of global energy and sustainability, Johnson Controls Inc., shared with TFM the collaboration that occurred during the eight month project definition process:

We had the benefit of diverse views and expertise in energy efficiency and sustainability. The team committed early on to take an integrated design approach and to view the project from an entire systems approach, meaning not just looking for specific improvement measures such as lighting or air conditioning but at the building as a whole. In doing that we went through a very rigorous exercise of identifying every potential improvement (there were over 60) that could be accomplished through existing technology. We then computed the theoretical minimum energy that the Empire State Building could consume; if we implemented everything how little energy could the building actually consume?

Now, we knew that would not be a very economical solution, since some of the technologies, while currently available, are very expensive. So we then simulated a number of [retrofit] scenarios. For instance, we simulated insulating the windows and putting insulation behind the radiators, which reduced the cooling load. Therefore, we sized a cooling plant, which would just meet the new reduced loads and found that instead of replacing chillers or expanding them we could actually refurbish and renovate the chillers. That saved tremendous capital costs.

Next, we analyzed in two dimensions—from a financial return on investment (ROI) perspective, as well as environmental benefit through the reduction of carbon. We found that the economic optimum—the solutions which provided the best net present value over the term of the [performance] contract—actually left a lot of carbon on the table. And that it was half as deep of an energy reduction as [would be achieved by] making a slight additional [financial] investment. So we ended up with a solution that for a very nominal additional cost resulted in very deep energy efficiency—38% reduction for the building as a whole.

A total of eight improvements were identified—if we wanted maximize the ROI, we would have pursued three or four of them. However, by doing an additional four improvement measures, there was very little effect on the financial return, yet a significant impact on additional energy reduction.

The eight key initiatives being implemented are:

1. Window Light Retrofit: Refurbishment of approximately 6,500 thermopane glass windows, using existing glass and sashes to create triple-glazed insulated panels with new components that dramatically reduce both summer heat load and winter heat loss.
2. Radiator Insulation Retrofit: Added insulation behind radiators to reduce heat loss and more efficiently heat the building perimeter.
3. Tenant Lighting, Daylighting, and Plug Upgrades: Introduction of improved lighting designs, daylighting controls, and plug load occupancy sensors in common areas and tenant spaces to reduce electricity costs and cooling loads.
4. Air Handler Replacements: Replacement of air handling units with variable frequency drive fans to allow increased energy efficiency in operation while improving comfort for individual tenants.
5. Chiller Plant Retrofit: Reuse of existing chiller shells while removing and replacing “guts” to improve chiller efficiency and controllability, including the introduction of variable frequency drives.
6. Whole Building Control System Upgrade: Upgrade of existing building control system to optimize HVAC operation as well as provide more detailed sub-metering information.
7. Ventilation Control Upgrade: Introduction of demand control ventilation in occupied spaces to improve air quality and reduce energy required to condition outside air.
8. Tenant Energy Management Systems: Introduction of individualized, web-based power usage systems for each tenant to allow more efficient management of power usage.

“Not only will this project dramatically reduce the Empire State Building’s environmental impact, but now we’re able to do it in a way that provides meaningful costs savings to the building as well as its tenants,” said Raymond Quartararo, international director, Jones Lang LaSalle.

Several of the eight measures to be implemented at the Empire State Building involve tenant related improvements, but the measures themselves (as well as the integrated approach) can be used by facility professionals in owner-occupied buildings as well. Nesler noted, “The process can be applied whether for a multi-tenant or owner occupied building. In fact, those in owner-occupied buildings would probably have an easier time because they gett the benefit on both the tenant side (that being them) and well as on the building owner side.  So there are less barriers with owner occupied buildings.”

Said Amory B. Lovins, chairman and chief scientist of Rocky Mountain Institute, “To make cities cleaner and more energy efficient, we urgently need a replicable model for retrofitting existing major buildings. This visionary example will help inform and inspire initiatives that can cut carbon emissions, save energy, save money, make jobs, and provide better workplaces in buildings all over the world.”

The full analysis process is available online as open source materials for public use at www.esbsustainability.com.

Johnson Controls has launched a program to engage kindergarten through 12th grade students across North America in developing ways to make the environment more energy efficient. The program, called Igniting Creative Energy, is a competition that provides national winners with valuable educational experiences including the opportunity to meet national leaders and energy policymakers in Washington, DC.

“Students play an important role in using energy resources wisely, which reinforces our business of providing energy efficiency solutions for consumers and businesses,” said C. David Myers, president, Building Efficiency, Johnson Controls. “Each year, we continue to be impressed by the enthusiasm and ingenuity students and teachers exhibit in demonstrating ways to preserve the environment and conserve energy.”

Developed and funded by Johnson Controls and the National Energy Foundation, Igniting Creative Energy—now in its eighth year—is a competition that encourages students to learn more about energy and the environment.

According to Bob Poulson, president of the National Energy Foundation, “It’s vital to instill in students the idea that they can creatively contribute to conserving natural resources. It results in improved leadership, character development, and service to others, not to mention a better environment.”

Student entries should demonstrate an understanding of what an individual, family, or group can do in their home, school, or community to conserve energy and help the environment. Students may choose to express their ideas in any creative format such as science projects, essays, stories, artwork, photographs, music, videos, Web based applications, multimedia projects, etc. They may also submit recent service projects.

The Challenge is open to all students in grades K-12 in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Quebec. All entries are due by March 13, 2009; and winners will be announced April 17, 2009. A total of four grand prizes will be awarded to three students and one teacher. Three students, one in each grade cluster, whose work best addresses the Challenge criteria, will receive a hosted trip to Washington, DC for themselves and a parent or legal guardian. The teacher with the highest average score of student work from 15 or more qualifying entries will also receive a trip for two to Washington, DC. While in Washington, students will share their winning Challenge entries with government and energy leaders during the 20th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum, June 15-16, at the National Press Club.

In addition to the national winners, the highest scoring student in each state or province will be recognized. Schools may also be eligible to receive a $1,000 U.S. charitable donation to help beautify their school, educate their students, or impact their community.

On August 21, Johnson Controls, Inc. announced a new strategic alliance with Carter Brothers, LLC, an Atlanta-based Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) that offers electronic security, fire and life safety products and services.

“The alliance will help both Johnson Controls and Carter Brothers reach customers in new and creative ways,” said Carolyn Woznicki, vice president, global purchasing and supply chain, Johnson Controls. “Carter Brothers has a great project management approach to commercial projects, strong local fire alarm presence, and solid construction management experience in multiple markets. Johnson Controls has a global network of branch offices, relationships in a variety of markets and deep enterprise technology expertise.”

With the alliance, Johnson Controls and Carter Brothers are able to offer a fire and security service platform, MBE participation, major projects capabilities, and a full palate of local services.

“This is an exciting milestone,” said John Carter, president and CEO of Carter Brothers, “We are proud to align with Johnson Controls, a Fortune 100 company, to provide our customers with local presence, expertise and the scale at a national level to meet their fire and security needs.”

The alliance will satisfy customers who require a certain level or percentage of MBE certified companies or workers in their projects. Both corporations view diversity as key to their continued success. Johnson Controls belongs to the Billion Dollar Roundtable, an organization of corporations that spend $1 billion annually with minority and women-owned suppliers. Both Carter Brothers and Johnson Controls are National Corporate Plus® Minority Business Enterprises. (To be eligible for Corporate Plus® eligibility, MBEs must conduct business nationally and be recommended by a National Corporate Member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) among other criteria.)

The 2008 Olympic Games officially begin tonight, and over the next 16 days millions of people will converge in the city of Beijing. In the lead up to this global event, we’ve heard about the numerous venues built to supplement China’s existing sports facilities. This year’s Olympic Games will take place across 31 competition facilities (12 new, 11 pre-existing, and 8 temporary). There are also three non competition facilities–Olympic Village, Olympic Media Village, and the Olympic Main Press Center.

National Stadium aka "Bird's Nest"

Managing and securing all of those spaces will no doubt require diligence by the various facility, security, and hospitality staffs. Following are some of the companies involved in the activities.

Johnson Controls has installed sustainable building solutions in 18 Olympic stadiums and supporting facilities. The company’s installation covers 123 million square feet of Olympics grounds, monitoring more than 58,000 points in stadiums and office buildings. Venues containing Johnson Controls products include:

*National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) with a YORK dual-duty brine centrifugal chillers, ice thermal storage system and chiller plant automation system

*National Indoor Stadium, or Turtle’s Back, with YORK centrifugal chillers connecting to Metasys building management system

*CCTV Headquarters Building, or collaboration building: YORK centrifugal chillers, dual-duty brine centrifugal chillers and ice-thermal storage system, connected to Metasys building management system

*Beijing Olympic Tower: YORK centrifugal chillers and a variable speed drive

*Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Court: Metasys building management system

*Beijing Olympic Forest Park: Metasys building management system

Meanwhile, GE Energy is providing long-term services for a new power plant that will supply electricity for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, as well as heat and power for the city of Beijing in the future. Under a 10-year contractual services agreement (CSA) signed with Beijing Taiyanggong Gas-Fired Thermal Power Co. Ltd (Taiyanggong) of China, GE will provide all parts, repairs and services for two GE Frame 9FA+e gas turbines at the new plant. The agreement also includes risk-sharing mechanisms and performance guarantees to help ensure that the 750-megawatt facility provides reliable and cost-effective heat and power to Beijing.

Taiyanggong is owned by Beijing Energy Investment Holding Co. and SP Power Development Co. Ltd.

GE is a worldwide partner of the Olympic Games. The company has provided support for more than 400 infrastructure projects such as Taiyanggong in and around Beijing, including work at all 37 official Olympic Games competition venues and 168 commercial buildings.

Olympic Village is using Echelon’s LonWorks® technology to create an energy efficiency lighting control system. The smart LonWorks based control system integrates all lighting subsystems to optimize energy usage while maintaining a safe and aesthetically pleasing environment.

The Olympic Village is the largest non-competition venue in Beijing, and will accommodate over 23,000 athletes and team officials for both the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Village has over 370,000 square meters of apartment space, including 22 six-floor buildings and 20 nine-floor buildings, and facilities such as general information centers, meeting rooms, medical clinics, religious centers, multiple restaurants, a library, parking areas, and entertainment and leisure activity centers.

The smart lighting control system integrates lighting subsystems for the apartments, public areas, car park areas, and all landscape and beautification lighting. The system was installed by Lang Meng Technology, Inc., a firm that provides smart home and lighting control solutions based on LonWorks technology.

Panasonic ASTROVISION large display screen systems and enhanced RAMSA professional audio systems will be used across the Olympic venues. Twin 152 square meter ASTROVISION LED screens and 264 RAMSA WS-LA3 large format array loudspeakers will show the action in the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium.

An official worldwide partner of the Olympic Games, Panasonic is also involved in the security operations. More than 2,000 AV surveillance cameras are installed to help ensure safety and security.

Also involved in security at the Games is Vicon Industries. The producer of video surveillance systems has had its camera domes and pan-and-tilt drives chosen to be part of an integrated video surveillance system to be installed at the “Bird’s Nest.” The opening ceremony tonight and the closing ceremony on August 24 will take place in that facility, which seats 91,000 people.

Vicon China, headquartered in Hong Kong with offices throughout China, is providing local support for this project.

In other security measures, ICx Technologies, a developer of advanced sensor technologies, won the contracts to supply IdentiFINDERs to the Government of China for use at the Olympics. IdentiFINDERS are handheld, radioisotope identification devices (RIID) that are able to locate, measure, and identify sources or contaminations from gamma and neutron radiation.

The units are able to differentiate between dangerous radioactive materials, medical and naturally occurring radioisotopes, such as bananas. This type of equipment is being deployed to detect radioactive materials that might be used as a weapon by terrorists in a radiological dispersal device, a so-called “dirty bomb”.

All the people involved in the Olympics will need to eat, and ARAMARK Corporation will meet those needs as the official catering service provider for 2008 Summer Games. The Beijing Organizing Commmittee (BOCOG) chose the company in May 2008. The signing of the contract with BOCOG marks the 14th time ARAMARK has been selected to serve at the Olympic Games.

ARAMARK, together with its partner Beijing Tourism Group, is providing catering services for the Athletes’ Village, Media Villages, International Broadcast Center, and the Main Press Center at the 2008 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing. ARAMARK will serve more than 3.5 million meals throughout the 60-day duration of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In addition, ARAMARK managed the design and construction of the kitchen and dining facilities for the Olympic catering venues.

Let The Games Begin!

The company has acquired PWI Energy, an independent global provider of energy and greenhouse gas management services, based in Philadelphia, PA. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The acquisition is part of Johnson Controls Inc.’s ongoing strategy to deepen and broaden the company’s leadership in energy and greenhouse gas management solutions providing global organizations access to a comprehensive suite of energy and sustainability-related offerings. In North America, Johnson Controls can further expand the enterprise-wide energy management solutions provided to customers in vertical market segments, such as government, education, industrial manufacturing and many other industries.

PWI Energy currently serves global clients with an energy management program that integrates energy supply management, energy efficiency services, and energy information, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management. The company has developed an information technology platform which organizes all the information needed to create a comprehensive, global management system for energy and greenhouse gases.

PWI Energy will integrate into Johnson Controls’ Global Workplace Solutions business, which is a recognized leader in managing the real estate portfolios of global organizations with multiple facilities.

“With the acquisition of PWI we are now even better positioned to help global organizations measure, manage and reduce their energy costs, as well as their overall Greenhouse Gas Footprint,” said Iain Campbell, vice president and general manager, North American Service and Global WorkPlace Solutions, Johnson Controls. “In this era of rising energy prices and increasing concern over the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions, our enhanced solutions can positively impact climate change while decreasing organizations’ vulnerability to a volatile market.”

“Johnson Controls was quick to recognize PWI Energy’s ability to bring state-of-the-art energy management technology and services to the table,” said Joseph Turk, president and principal, PWI Energy. “We look forward to seeing our solutions integrated into the Johnson Controls family and to bring greater benefits to customers the world over.”

PWI will retain offices in Philadelphia, and will take on the Johnson Controls name within a few months.

Sponsored by the U.S. Energy Association and Johnson Controls, Inc., the event took place June 11 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The keynote address was given by U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman who stressed to an audience of energy decision makers that “efficiency does not need to come at the expense of profitability.”

The agenda was ushered in with speeches by representatives from both the Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns. In his remarks on behalf of Senator John McCain, former Governor of Virginia George Allen said, “What Senator McCain as president would do is propose a national energy strategy that will amount to a declaration of independence from energy insecurity and he’ll promote diversification and conservation of our energy resources.”

In his comments about the need to change energy production incentives, Executive Director of the National Commission on Energy Policy, and advisor to Senator Barrack Obama’s campaign Jason Grumet said, “Senator Obama believes that we have to decouple the profit motives of the energy sector from energy production.” Grumet added that Senator Obama also believes that within the next decade new buildings need to be 25% more efficient than they are today, and 50% more efficient by 2030.

Delivering the luncheon keynote address at the Forum was Pulitzer Prize-winning author and New York Times columnist, Thomas Friedman. During his address, he shared excerpts of his latest book for the first time in the U.S. Through the reading he offered strong advice about the serious challenges we face and proposed mobilizing to a “code green.” He explained, “What red was to America in the 1950s and 1960s…we need green to be for today’s America.” Friedman went on to say, “I would be less than truthful, though, if I said that America as it operates today is ready for this mission. We are not.”

Immediately following his speech, Friedman lead an engaging panel discussion with Robert K. Watson, founder of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Green Building Rating System, and David B. Goldstein, co-director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s energy program. Electric Power Research Institute president Steven Specker spoke separately about his organization’s focus on research and development on technology, and Brenna Walraven, president of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International, discussed the impact of energy legislation on facility owners and operators.

The Forum agenda also paid close attention to youth awareness of energy efficiency, beginning with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s debut of its “Horton Hears a Who” public service announcements aimed at children. Student and teacher winners from the Igniting Creative Energy competition were recognized, along with a group of college students from Carnegie Mellon University who won a national climate change writing competition.

Additionally, the Forum’s Energy Leaderships Awards were presented to:
* Andy Karsner, assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, for his efforts to advance programs that reduce energy in buildings and vehicles.

* Greg Nickels, Seattle mayor, for his efforts to reduce energy in his own city in addition to his formation of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to advance the goals of the Kyoto Protocol through leadership and action. It has been signed by more than 850 mayors across the country.

* Alan Edwards, national energy manager for the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons, for his efforts in implementing energy efficiency projects at 96 federal prisons to renew aging prison infrastructure and introduce renewable technologies, resulting in approximately 166 billion Btu in energy savings.

The Forum’s mission is to be the premier event that promotes an energy efficiency ethic through the presentation of national and worldwide views on energy efficiency and the resulting impact on the environment, national security and economic growth.

More about the Forum events can be read at www.eeforum.net.

About United States Energy Association
The United States Energy Association is the U.S. Member Committee of the World Energy Council. USEA is an association of public and private energy-related organizations, corporations, and government agencies. It represents the broad interests of the U.S. energy sector by increasing the understanding of energy issues, both domestically and internationally. In conjunction with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Energy, USEA sponsors our nation’s Energy Partnership Program. Membership in USEA is open to all organizations having an interest in the energy sector of the United States.

About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers.