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Former Toronto mayor David Miller recognized at 23rd annual Energy Efficiency Forum
February 21, 2013 - Public and private sector leaders at the 23rd annual Energy Efficiency Forum outlined legislation, policies and business strategies aimed at reducing energy use and operating costs in buildings. The event was co-sponsored by Johnson Controls and the United States Energy Association.
February 21, 2013 By Alyssa Dalton
Dave Myers, president of Johnson Controls, Building Efficiency, shared highlights of the sixth annual Energy Efficiency Indicator survey, where he indicates interest in energy efficiency is at an “all-time high”.
“Building owners are investing in energy efficiency because they recognize the financial payback,” said Myers. “This year’s survey demonstrates there’s a change underway. The mantra for commercial real estate owners used to be location, location, location—now it’s becoming location, efficiency, location.”
Canada’s own David Miller, 2003-2010 mayor of Toronto, Ont., received the Mayor’s Award—2012 Energy Leadership Award for his efforts in instituting and advancing energy efficiency. His innovations include piping water from Lake Ontario to cool downtown Toronto towers in the summer, and Live Green Toronto, which helps provide ways for city residents to contribute to the city’s sustainability.
“If we hope to solve the problem of energy efficiency, we must first understand the unique motivating factors of individual buyers because individuals make decisions,” said Richard Kauffman, senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Energy. “We then must develop financing models that meet their needs.”
Carlos Pascual, U.S. State Department special envoy and coordinator for international energy affairs, told attendees that energy efficiency is an important part of building the global economy and protecting national security interests.
“Energy efficiency is not only a good thing to do from an environmental perspective, it’s also big business,” said Pascual. “It can help grow economies and is fundamental to how we achieve national security goals.”
Heather Zichal, deputy assistant to President Obama for energy and climate change, noted: “Improving energy efficiency—whether in the transportation or the built environment—is truly the fastest, cheapest, and easiest way to decrease dependence on oil, reduce pollution, and save families and businesses money on energy bills.”
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