WASHINGTON - The Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) has been in existence for 33 years. Alliance President Kateri Callahan noted in her opening remarks at the gala Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards Dinner that the ASE has embarked upon the Decade of Energy Efficiency. Now in its 18th year, the awards dinner, a black-tie and evening gown event, brought dignitaries from industry, government, and academia, and even an eloquent NASCAR driver.

The event was held Sept. 14, 2010, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Among the more than 500 guests were numerous special host companies from the HVACR industry, including Danfoss, Siemens Industry, Honeywell International, Johns Manville, Johnson Controls, Knauf Insulation, McQuay International, Rinnai Corp., United Technologies Corp., Whirlpool Corp., and the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.

2010 AWARD WINNERS

The most prestigious award of the event, the Charles H. Percy Award was presented in recognition of an outstanding public service contribution and/or a lifetime commitment to energy efficiency.

Art Rosenfeld, former California Energy Commissioner, and someone commonly referred to as the Father of Energy Efficiency, presented the Charles H. Percy Award for Public Service to Richard Fedrizzi, founding chairman, president and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council.

In accepting the award, Fedrizzi said, “Art Rosenfeld once told me that ‘Energy efficiency is an adventure.’ He was certainly one of my many mentors as our team embarked upon this adventure we call the U.S. Green Building Council. We all need to be mentors for every single person we touch in our lives, with regard to energy efficiency.”

In addition to Rosenfeld, the esteemed slate of presenters included: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Alliance First Vice-chair, Robert J. Dixon, the senior vice president and global head, Energy Services and Solutions, Siemens Industry Inc., Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., Honorable Ken Salazar, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, and Honorable Gary Doer, Canadian Ambassador to the United States.

Leilani Munter, a surprise presenter, makes her living driving a NASCAR on many weekends, and purchases 1 acre of rain forest for every race she enters, to offset her carbon footprint. She has become an interesting spokesperson for energy efficiency, obviously backing up her words with notable actions.

Danfoss received the Innovative Star of Energy Efficiency Award (see article on page 1), which was accepted by Robert Wilkins, president, Danfoss North America. Wilkins said, “At Danfoss, energy efficiency and innovation are critical components of our business, and we’re making the advancement and deployment of these technologies a top priority. After all, energy efficiency is a matter of national security and economic growth. We support the Alliance to Save Energy which has been working so diligently to promote energy efficiency and inform policy makers of the issues and opportunities that are available. On behalf of all my colleagues at Danfoss, thank you very much for this prestigious honor.”

Other awards presented during the evening included:

• Chairman’s Award: Assistant Secretary Cathy Zoi, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE), U.S. Department of Energy

• Star of Energy Efficiency Awards: These awards recognize organizations/companies, learning institutions, state offices, and government programs for their efforts to promote energy efficiency domestically and/or overseas.

• Galaxy Star: U-Haul International Inc.

• Super Nova Star: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

•  Andromeda Star: OPOWER

• International Star: Environment Canada and Energy Efficiency New Brunswick

• Innovative Star: Danfoss

• Honorable Mention: Bowman Design Group.

Publication date: 10/11/2010