DOE Announces Industrial Energy Request for Information (RFI)
August 10, 2007
The Department of Energy has released a Request For Information (RFI) on reducing industrial energy intensity. Section 106 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) seeks reduction of industrial energy use by 25% by 2017.
Section 106 of EPAct authorizes the Secretary of Energy to enter into voluntary agreements with industry with the goal of reducing energy intensity by not less than 2.5 percent each year during the period of calendar years 2007 through 2016. The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking information from industry and industry associations regarding the most beneficial and efficient way to reduce industrial energy intensity in order to implement this goal. The information received will be used by DOE for internal planning and decision making purposes.
The Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) under the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has a history of partnering with the Industrial Sector to improve the energy and carbon intensity of manufacturing equipment, processes, and final products while improving the competitiveness of this critical sector of the U.S. economy. The Industrial Technologies Program is leading the Department's efforts to help industry achieve even greater control of the energy inputs to produce the items needed by our nation every day. DOE and ITP encourage the broadest involvement and participation in this program from across the Industrial Sector. DOE and ITP are especially focused on the high energy consumption and rapid growth industries but welcome all corporations and individual facilities wishing to make a difference to respond to this call.
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is solely to solicit input for DOE consideration in determining the most beneficial and efficient way to implement Section 106 of EPAct, which has the goal of reducing industrial energy intensity 25% by 2017.
The RFI can be accessed online.
Comments in response to this RFI should be submitted in Microsoft Word or PDF to ITP@go.doe.gov by 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on September 18, 2007. Questions relative to responding to this RFI may be sent to this same mailbox in advance of your response, and will be answered via the mailbox only.
Topics for the RFI include:
- Experience or lessons learned from energy management activities.
- Challenges, pitfalls (what not to do) learned from these activities.
- Roadblocks and concerns that industry may have with reducing energy intensity by 2.5% per year.
- How essential is reducing energy consumption to your company's economic competitiveness.
- The most effective way(s) to motivate industry to participate in this initiative, including possible incentives.
- The most effective way to conduct a federal government supported program to reduce industrial energy intensity.
- How to document and verify the industrial energy savings in order to evaluate the success of these voluntary agreements.
- The level of interest in participating in the planning or in partnering with the Department to achieve this goal.
- The need for national and/or international standards on industrial energy management.
- Specific technical, technology, or plant assessment tool support considered critical for your participation and the achievement of the initiative's stated goal.
In summary, please provide comments to aid and inform DOE in the creation of voluntary agreements to reduce industrial energy intensity.
The Department thanks you for your assistance and input.
