Energy Efficiency Resources
In an effort to better inform our clients regarding specific areas of interest to them, we have compiled the following list of energy efficiency related websites. These links lead to external sites that will open in a new browser tab or window.*
In reviewing this list of energy efficiency related websites, you may find yourself thinking about your own organization’s “green” qualifications and energy management practices. Sieben Energy Associates is happy to assist you with your energy management needs. Please contact us for information about how we can help your organization achieve its specific efficiency and sustainability goals.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, professional credentials and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities.
ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a building technology society with more than 50,000 members worldwide. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality and sustainability within the industry. Through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment today. The website includes membership information, relevant publications and information, committees and protocols, research, education, events and advocacy information relating to furthering sustainable engineering evaluations in public policy, and certification information for engineers, companies, and relevant news, and sister organization links.
The EPA is committed to protecting human health while preserving and restoring the environment around us, including air, water, and land. The link above provides all relevant law pertaining to EPA’s spheres of regulation and all additional environmental legislation. It provides resources related to obtaining grant funding for environmental and “green” construction, current research conducted, information regarding environmental science as well as water, air, and land issues, and links to relevant organizations and partners involved in efforts to restore and preserve the environment.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment. Quarterly and annual reports about overall and industry-specific energy usage are also available, and new reports are published weekly.
The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. The Energy Department is working to ensure America's Energy Future, Scientific & Technological Leadership, Nuclear Security and to resolve the environmental legacy of the cold war.
The U.S. Green Building Council – Illinois Chapter is the local affiliate of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a national non-profit composed of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. The USGBC-Illinois Chapter furthers the work of USGBC through a variety of programs, events, educational and research initiatives, advocacy campaigns, and resources for the local green building community. Annually, the Chapter offers over 100 events and programs for its members and the general public.
The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), founded in 1977, is a nonprofit professional society of over 16,000 members in 84 countries. The mission of AEE is “to promote the scientific and educational interests of those engaged in the energy industry and to foster action for Sustainable Development.” AEE offers a full array of informational outreach programs including seminars (live and internet based), conferences, journals, books, and certification programs. AEE's roster of Corporate Members is a veritable “who's who” from the commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, energy services, and utility sectors.
The AABC Commissioning Group (ACG) is an independent, non-profit association dedicated to the advancement of professional, independent 3rd party commissioning and energy management services through education, training, and certification of qualified individuals to act as Certified Commissioning Authorities (CxAs), Certified Commissioning Technicians (CxTs), and Energy Management Professionals (EMPs). ACG's membership is comprised of firms and individuals committed to providing independent, 3rd party commissioning services.
Carbon Nation is a 90-minute documentary which manifests solutions to climate change-related issues. It demonstrates current efforts to mitigating climate change, identifies current “green” leaders in the business world, and seeks to inspire everyone to work towards eliminating further climate change. Craig Sieben, of Sieben Energy Associates, was one of the producers for this documentary.
PECI is committed to facing the compelling challenges of sustainability by using efficiency practices that embrace careful resource and energy management. By pushing the boundaries on many fronts -— technological, economic, educational, and behavioral -— they strive to influence thought and motivate society towards change. PECI’s approach is to concentrate on the people who make, sell, buy, install and use energy efficiency technologies.
The World Resources Institute is a global environmental think tank that works with governments, companies, and civil society to build solutions to urgent environmental challenges. WRI’s transformative ideas protect the earth and promote development with an understanding that sustainability is essential to meeting human needs and fulfilling human aspirations in the future. WRI spurs progress by providing practical strategies for change and effective tools to implement them. They measure their success in the form of new policies, products, and practices that shift the ways governments work, companies operate, and people act.
The CDP is a non-profit organization that provides the world’s largest database on carbon emission information with the intention of providing this information to investors, corporations, and governments to use to mitigate the effects of climate change. The website contains relevant greenhouse gas information (reports on corporations, their supply chains, regions, and cities) and industry news. Crucially, it contains a register for rating and quantity of greenhouse gases emitted by large corporations.
The Climate Registry is a non-profit collaboration among North American states, territories, etc. to standardize the measurement, verification, and reporting processes of greenhouse gas emissions. The site explains the workings of the greenhouse gas emissions documentation, member resources including reporting protocol and verification, and relevant GHG reporting news.
The IPCC is the world’s foremost organization for assessment of climate change and for providing a view of the current state of climate change and its impact on the environment and socio-economic consequences. As a governmental scientific body, it provides governments around the world with verifiable scientific information about climate change. The website provides IPCC reports, current research, speeches and conference meeting information, events, amongst other documentation.
The GHPC works to promulgate information with regards to the benefit and installation all HVAC geothermal projects. The website provides for finding geothermal heating professionals, contact information for residential and commercial customers for numerous facets of installation and financing geothermal systems, relevant news, incentive programs, as well as event information and sister organization links.
*Industry resource descriptions on this page are sourced from their respective third party websites.