American Gas - December 2013/January 2014 - (Page 36)

The Georgetown University Energy Prize offers communities a way to learn more-and do more- about energy efficiency. By Kathryn Clay h e a dway REady, SET, SavE W hen it comes to energy efficiency, everyone wins. That's why the American Gas Foundation is a key supporter of an innovative effort that will help communities across the nation become more energy efficient: the Georgetown University Energy Prize. Beginning in June 2014, small cities and towns across the country will take part in the first-ever nationwide competition to improve the efficiency of their residential sectors, with their eyes on a prize of $5 million to be awarded in late 2016. The winning community will use the award to invest in further improvements to energy efficiency-providing additional and lasting environmental and economic benefits for its residents. How will the competition be judged? The competition will be based on measured improvements to energy efficiency in residential and government-owned buildings. The measurements will be based on data provided by local gas and electric utilities, making utility participation vital to each community's ability to compete. A judging committee will evaluate participating communities on improvements to energy efficiency expressed on a per capita basis. The judges will also give extra marks to communities with innovative and original approaches and with strategies that can be replicated in other communities. Importantly, the competition will be based on the overall energy efficiency from the source to the point of use. An interactive competition website will educate residents of participating communities about the energy-efficiency benefits of the direct use of natural gas in home heating, cooking, and appliances. Why should communities enter the competition? Throughout the competition, competing communities will have access to exclusive resources that will help them develop and implement their energy-efficiency plan, including concrete financial and technical assistance, case studies, and customizable tips. Competitors will also have the opportunity to come together with 36 AmericAn GAs december 2013/january 2014 other city managers and community leaders in Washington, D.C., to share ideas and best practices with one another and to learn from experts at the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Association, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Competing communities will also receive significant communications support to help them share their success stories with local and national media. Why is the role of local utilities so important in this competition? Gas and electric utilities are already deeply engaged with their communities, and the Georgetown University Energy Prize offers another way to broaden that engagement. Many utilities already work within their communities to promote energy efficiency, and the competition will offer new avenues to educate and motivate consumers when it comes to energy-efficient choices. Utilities are essential in another important way. Participating utilities will provide the data needed to measure energy consumption and efficiency improvements. The Prize design team recognizes that basing the Prize on utility data is the best way to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the results that communities report. How can my community get involved? Communities can enter the competition from now through Apr. 30, 2014. Instructions for entering the competition can be found at www.guep.org. There is no registration cost for communities. The competition is open to all municipalities with populations between 5,000 and 250,000. Sixty-five percent of U.S. residents- including those who live in the suburbs of major metropolitan cities- live in municipalities with populations in the eligibility range. That means 200 million Americans are eligible to take advantage of the competition and the resources it can provide to their communities. Natural gas utilities wanting to know more about how they can help their communities participate-and how the competition can help spread the word about the benefits of natural gas-can reach out to me directly at kclay@aga.org. Now, on your mark...get set...save! u Dr. Kathryn Clay is executive director of the American Gas Foundation. http://www.guep.org

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American Gas - December 2013/January 2014