In 1977, The Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) was formed in response to the U.S. energy crisis of the 1970s, a phenomenon that devastated millions of Americans over an issue with international oil embargoes. It became evident then that the U.S. needed to find more energy-efficient forms of transportation and conducting business. As a result, the ASE made it its mission to explore more environmentally sustainable answers to modern American life. The last four decades have seen an increase in the global consumption of energy, and the ASE continues to invest time, money and research into promoting energy efficiency in business, transportation and economics.
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Mission and Purpose
According to the ASE information page, the Alliance seeks to “achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and energy security” through research and concentrated efforts in the energy sector. The organization’s efforts include:
- Developing policies that lead to worldwide initiatives on energy efficiency
- Educating and communicating with people in positions to support the initiatives, including those in every sector of the economy and policy advocates
- Advocating its cause through key channels, including members of Congress and leaders from business, academia and the public interest sector
- Collaborating and making alliances with individuals and organizations with large spheres of influence who can make a real difference in advocacy
- Maximizing impact by working with a team of “recognized energy efficiency experts and professionals” to achieve their goals
The ASE traces its roots to the energy crisis of the 1970s, but the current organization has evolved to meet the demand of increased consumption on a global scale. In terms of leadership, the ASE is run by a bipartisan board of directors that includes corporate leaders, nonprofit executives and members of Congress.
Ongoing Projects
The Alliance to Save Energy works generally on the promotion of energy efficiency, but there are six specific projects that the organization focuses on: federal policy, buildings, PowerSave Schools, CarbonCount, Clean Power Plan and Energy 2030. Each of these projects focuses on key aspects of energy efficiency. Federal policy, for instance, enables the organization to encourage changes in how companies and the public sector respond to energy production and consumption. Because buildings account for about 40 percent of the country’s energy waste, the ASE focuses on implementing better waste strategies via building codes. The Energy 2030 program is a long-term effort between national and local leaders to create a clear path toward better energy production in the U.S.
Participation and Recognition
The ASE was founded as a joint effort between government and private enterprises. Currently, the alliance is made up of nearly 130 organizations, including Dow, United Technologies, Siemens and the New York Power Authority. Businesses that subscribe to the same ideals as the ASE can join at any time and pledge support to the organization. Each year, the ASE also hosts or participates in events to recognize achievements in energy efficiency. The Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards Dinner, for example, has been honoring the energy sector’s biggest names since 1993.
The ASE website offers a more in-depth look at each of the ongoing projects in energy efficiency. As the U.S. consumes more energy, The Alliance to Save Energy seeks to ensure that there are better and more effective uses of the limited sources available while encouraging innovation in renewable and sustainable sources for the future.
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