Whiplash: In case you missed the Energy Efficiency News of June 29-July 3, 2009.

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By Peggy - July 6th, 2009

Last week, President Barack Obama made the uncharacteristic mistake of dissing something dear to us: the energy efficient bulb, in the midst of an announcement by he and Department of Energy Secretary Chu that more energy efficiency regulations are on the way. Chu memorably commented, "Energy efficiency isn't just low-hanging fruit, it is fruit lying on the ground," which seemed to us both accurate and unnerving. We waited in vain for Microsoft's Hohm to hit the pavement (Hohm is here ...today!) and we celebrated July 4th by honoring Rosie the Riveter and her... caulk gun.

Turning to the light: President Obama and Secretary Steven Chu announced fresh energy efficient lighting guidelines and building standards. The administration is continuing to attend to matters of energy efficiency in the wake of Waxman-Markey, noting, once again, that "residential and commercial buildings consume 40 percent of the energy and represent 40 percent of the carbon emissions in the United States. Building efficiency represents one of the easiest, most immediate and most cost effective ways to reduce carbon emissions while creating new jobs." We couldn't agree more... and we're here to help.

I'll take that building.. on the rocks. Lighting isn't the only way to reduce electricity usage. (Or... there is other fruit lying on the ground). BuildingGreen noted that the Bank of America building in Bryant Park, New York City, is keeping cool the way weekenders keep drinks cool: with ice. Interesting concept, but the jury is still out on whether the efficiency of making ice during off-peak will pay off. (Or, for that matter, whether anyone working in banking can avoid breaking into a sweat at the moment). It's an enterprising concept to be sure, and we'll be eager to see how it pans out in the long run.

The puck, the fruit, the ball... Steven Chu got us all in a dither with his fruit analogy, and then he got Obama all in a dither by quoting Wayne Gretzky. With a nod to CleanBreak, a great Canadian blogger, here it is:

Chu: So this is an opportunity for the United States to say that’s where the puck is going to be — to quote Wayne Gretzky — 10 or 20 years from now this is where it’s going to be, so why don’t we meet in this new industrial revolution, meaning that we’re going to get energy, abundant energy, the clean energy. So we have the ability to lead.

Obama then chimes in: I just want to point out my Secretary of Energy used a *very cool* Wayne Gretzky metaphor.

Then Chu continues: You know, here’s this skinny kid who is arguably the greatest hockey player in the world. And they say how — and he says... I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it’s been. ... And so this bill begins to say to America this is where it’s going to be and so why don’t we take the industrial lead on this.

Very cool, and very Canadian. But great athletic metaphors for energy efficiency are not the sole province of Canada. This provides those of us with Jersey roots a fresh chance to reflect on another athlete and a different wordsmith. Bill Bradley (the basketball player turned Senator whose brilliant college career was captured by Pulitzer Prize winning author John McPhee in the acclaimed essay, A Sense of Where You Are.

In our book, it's key to consider both where the puck is going to be, and where we are right now. Efficient use of energy is the key play right now. Energy efficiency is the best, cheapest, easiest way to stay in shape long enough to be around to receive the puck when it comes