The date was March 4, President Obama had yet to give his climate strategy speech, Shaheen- Portman had yet to be introduced, and Gina McCarthy was nominated to serve as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. 104 days later, on July 18, she was confirmed by the Senate 59- 40. It was the longest confirmation process for a nominee to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. She was sworn in the following day. Administrator McCarthy now faces a full agenda at the agency including coal ash regulation decisions, a re-proposal of new power plant performance standards for carbon dioxide, a review of ozone national ambient air quality standards, and finalization of Tier 3 standards and of the definition of solid waste.

The confirmation signals the completion of the administration’s energy and environment trifecta: Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy as the chief environmental official, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz as the lead energy official, and Secretary of State John Kerry as the international point man. In addition to their focus on energy and environment, the three have a commonality: Massachusetts. In addition to all three hailing from the Bay State, Administrator McCarthy served as Undersecretary for Policy at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Secretary Moniz was a long-time professor at MIT, and Secretary Kerry represented the state in the Senate.

While Administrator McCarthy has been confirmed, other nomination considerations continue. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing in mid-September to consider the nomination of Ron Binz to serve as Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman. On Thursday, the President nominated NASA CFO Beth Robinson to serve as the Undersecretary of Energy for Management and Performance, a new position. The announcement signaled the beginning of reorganization at the Department; the shift includes the expansion of the Office of the Undersecretary for Science and Energy to oversee several energy programs including the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Several Senate hearings have been scheduled this week to consider assistant secretary and undersecretary nominations related to energy, including Dennis McGinn to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment.

While the Senate will focus this week on the FY14 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill and student loan compromise, the House will split its time between the FY14 Defense Appropriations bill and two energy bills: H.R. 2218, the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013, and H.R. 1582, the Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced on July 17 that S. 761, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013, will likely be considered by the full Senate later this month, following the FY14 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill. An agreement on amendment limits has not been reached. The next day, Senator John Barrasso (R- WY) announced there are a number of amendments being written on the Keystone XL pipeline; Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) said he is willing to forgo an amendment approving the pipeline in exchange for a hearing on the issue.

Shaheen-Portman Imminent

Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) announced July 16 he will be serving on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. In addition, he will serve on the Senate Foreign Relations and Small Business Committees. He also said he plans to introduce legislation on a variety of environmental issues including climate change, and indicated that he might introduce legislation proposing a carbon tax.

Markey Committee Assignments

The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved two energy bills on July 17. H.R. 1582, the Energy Consumers Relief Act, was approved 25-18; the legislation would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from finalizing rules expected to cost more than $1 billion should the Department of Energy find the regulation would hurt the economy. H.R. 1900, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act, was approved 28-14. The bill would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to either approve or deny a natural gas pipeline permit within 12 months after a completed permit application is received. The House will consider the bills before the August recess.

E&C Passes Two Energy Bills

The House Natural Resources Committee examined Department of Interior oversight and management at a July 17 hearing. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, the only witness, commended state efforts in regulating hydraulic fracturing, but she said a national minimum baseline is needed. She also commented that there is a lot of resource potential in renewables on public lands and that the building of natural resilient infrastructure, such as mangrove forests, is needed.

House Interior Oversight Hearing

House Budget Committee Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen announced on July 17 that he is currently working on cap and dividend legislation. It is unclear when the bill, which will be similar to his 2009 Cap and Dividend act, will be released.

Van Hollen Cap and Dividend Legislation in the Works

The Senate confirmed Gina McCarthy 59-40 to serve as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator on July 18 following a cloture vote of 69-31. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bob Corker (R-TN), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and John McCain (R-AZ) voted in support of McCarthy while Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) was the only Democrat to vote against the nomination, citing frustration with agency regulations. Following the confirmation, President Obama, former agency Administrator Carol Browner, and industry groups including American Chemistry Council praised the vote and McCarthy.

Senate Confirms McCarthy

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on clean energy financing opportunities on July 18. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) testified on his bill S. 795, the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act. Department of Energy Loan Program Office Executive Director Peter Davidson spoke about changes to the office, such as streamlining the application process. Financing opportunities discussed include master limited partnerships, real estate investment trusts, state green banks, tax reform, and placing a price on carbon. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) discussed his bill S. 1205, the Local Energy Supply and Resiliency Act of 2013, and praised combined heat and power and biomass. Mr. Davidson said the loan program’s new fossil solicitation will focus on lowering carbon footprints; energy efficiency projects as ways to reduce fossil energy use, such as combine heat and power projects, will be considered.

Senate Clean Energy Financing Hearing

The Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works held a hearing on July 18 to discuss the threats posed by climate change. The hearing featured two panels of witnesses who discussed temperature trends, whether incidence and intensity of natural disasters are increasing, and whether action on climate change would be worth the economic costs. The hearing featured no witnesses from the Obama Administration and little discussion on climate policy, although Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) announced that she plans to hold several more hearings, including one focused on policy, in the fall.

EPW Climate Change Hearing

The House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy, Health Care, and Entitlements held a hearing on July 18 to examine the updated social cost of carbon, and witness Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Administrator Howard Shelanski said the increase in the cost was linked to the best available science. He said the three underlying models that determined the figure were updated by the model makers, thus leading officials to up the social cost of carbon to $38 per metric ton for 2015. The previous day, Representative Joe Barton (R-TX) announced he was considering introducing legislation or requesting a hearing on the change.

House Oversight Social Cost of Carbon Hearing

Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) was chosen unanimously by House Democrats on July 18 to replace now Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) as House Natural Resources Ranking Member. He was challenged by Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) for the position, and the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee voted 33-16 for Representative DeFazio on July 17. Even though he received more than 14 votes allowing him to participate in a caucus-wide election, Representative Grijalva withdrew from the race.

DeFazio to be House Natural Resources Ranking Member

The chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees met on July 18 to discuss the Farm Bill; Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Pat Roberts (R-

Farm Bill Talks Begin

KS) also participated. Senate Chairman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) said she hopes to reconcile the two bills before the current version expires on September 30. The Senate filed a request for a formal conference later that day.

Speaking at an American Council on Renewable Energy forum, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Representative Bill Owens (D-NY) said on July 18 that the Department of Defense should abandon its anti-renewable approach when developing its energy policy. Biofuels and environmental issues are often contentious subjects in budget debates. Representative Owens said it is an important task to ensure military installations have secure sources of power to decrease the risk of cyber-attacks.

Kaine, Owens on Military Energy

Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Heather Zichal met on July 19 with six to eight Democratic members of the House Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources Committees. She discussed the three main parts of the President’s climate plan and also went through the timing for the rules on power plants. For new plants, the reworked rule will be rolled out again this fall to be finalized in early 2014. For existing plants, the proposed rule will come out in June 2014 and finalized in 2015. Members included House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Niki Tsongas (D-MA), and Rush Holt (D-CA).

Zichal Meets with House Dems

• On July 16, Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced S. 1306, the No Child Left Inside Act of 2013. Cosponsored by four Democratic senators, the bill would create federal grants to improve environmental education in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade curricula. A House version, H.R. 2702, was introduced by Representatives John Sarbanes (D-MD) and Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and 16 other members.

Bills Introduced

• The same day, Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced S. 1308, the Energy Savings through Public-Private Partnerships Act of 2013. The bill would encourage performance contracting in federal facilities. Representatives Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Peter Welch (D-VT), along with 24 cosponsors, introduced the House version, H.R. 2689.
• On July 17, Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) introduced H.R. 2712, the Nuclear Power Licensing Reform Act of 2013. The bill would require commercial nuclear facilities to ensure that unreasonable threats to persons and the environment are not present during the licensing and renewable processes.
• The same day, Representatives Mike Michaud (D-ME) and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced H.R. 2715, the Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2013. The bill would expand both the residential and commercial renewable energy investment tax credits to biomass fuel.
• On July 18, Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) and five cosponsors introduced S. 1319, the Gas Accessibility and Stabilization (GAS) Act. The bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy to conduct a Fuel Harmonization Study. The bill would also broaden the timeframe when the agency can grant waivers to use any type of fuel; the legislation also automatically approves a waiver if the agency does not act within three days.
• The same day, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced S. 1324, the National Energy Tax Repeal Act, with 7 cosponsors. The legislation would prohibit the President from issuing new carbon pollution standards for existing coal-fired power plants through a Presidential Memorandum.
• The same day, Representative Bill Flores (R-TX) and four cosponsors introduced H.R. 2728, Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act. The bill recognizes states’ authority to regulate oil and gas operations.
• On July 19, Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced H.R. 2762, a bill to create a regional transmission planning process.
• On July 23, the Senate Agriculture Committee will consider the nomination of Krysta Harden to serve as Deputy Agriculture Secretary and Robert Bonnie to serve as Undersecretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment.

Upcoming Hearings

• The same day, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing to consider S. 1273, the Fixing America’s Inequities with Revenues (FAIR) Act of 2013.
• The same day, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will consider the nominations of Kenneth Kopocis to serve as Environmental Protection Agency Assistant Administrator for Water, James Jones to serve as the agency’s Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, and Avi Garbow to serve as the agency’s General Counsel.
• The same day, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies will markup the FY14 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill.
• The same day, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold a hearing on stakeholder perspectives of the Renewable Fuel Standard. The subcommittee will hold a second hearing on the same issue the following day.
• On July 24, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will consider the nomination of Dr. Mark E. Schaefer to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
• The same day, House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will host a hearing on Department of Energy project management and mission performance.
• The same day, the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittees on Environment and Energy will hold a joint hearing on Environmental Protection Agency investigations of hydraulic fracturing.
• The same day, the House Natural Resources Committee will markup several energy bills including H.R. 555, the BLM Live Internet Auctions Act; H.R. 1394, the Planning for American Energy Act of 2013; and H.R. 1965, the PIONEERS Act.
• The same day, the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology will host a hearing to examine technology transfers at research institutions, universities, and the National Laboratories.
• On July 25, the Senate Armed Services Committee will consider the nomination of Dennis McGinn to be Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment.
• The same day, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power will hold a hearing to examine the aging water resource infrastructure.
• The same day, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Minerals will hold a hearing to consider H.R. 2728, Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act.
• The same day, the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Energy will hold a hearing on the future of coal.

ADMINISTRATION

At a July 18 energy breakfast forum, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Heather Zichal defended the Renewable Fuel Standard, saying biofuels will play an important role in the President’s climate strategy. The strategy includes creating local leader task forces to make recommendations and completing Environmental Protection Agency regulations before the conclusion of the President’s term. She also praised S. 761, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013, saying the President will sign the bill should it be approved by the House and Senate.

Zichal on Climate Strategy

U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern praised President Obama’s climate strategy on July 18, saying the announcement generated global confidence in the U.S. as a climate change leader. He continued that further bilateral agreements like the recent U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue could be reached this year; the U.S. and India are currently in negotiations.

Stern on Climate Strategy

Vice President Joe Biden will focus on economic, energy and climate, defense, and regional cooperation while in India and Singapore this week according to a July 19 administration announcement. He will address the need for collaboration to achieve the civil nuclear agreement; he will also discuss the need to work together on climate change action. Vice President Biden arrived in India on July 22; he will depart for Singapore July 25.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

VP Biden to Focus on Energy in India, Singapore

The Department of Energy announced on July 16 that ARPA-E will award funds for the development of solar technology that is productive even when the sun is not shining. ARPA-E is particularly interested in technology that can simultaneously turn sunlight into immediate electricity while also producing heat, storing it, and later using it to deliver electricity. The Funding Opportunity Announcement for this program, called Full-spectrum Optimized Conversion and Utilization of Sunlight, will come later this month.

ARPA-E to Give Money for Solar Technology

The Department of Energy announced the awarding of $10 million to six small commercial building energy efficiency projects on July 17. The recipients, which include the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, are expected to receive an additional $14 million in private funding. The projects will create user-friendly resources for buildings smaller than 50,000 square feet.

Small Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Funding Announced

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory released its annual energy flow chart on July 18, finding that renewable energy development is on the rise. Natural gas, solar, and wind energy generation rose from 2011 to 2012 while coal development decreased. Lab officials tied the trends with energy prices and policy.

Lawrence Livermore Energy Trend Report Released

The Department of Energy announced on July 19 that preliminary findings from a federal study show no evidence that fracking chemicals have contaminated drinking water near a western Pennsylvania drilling site. The Department has been monitoring the site for a year as part of the ongoing study, which marks the first where a drilling company has allowed federal researchers access to trace fracking chemicals.

PA Aquifer Fracking Chemicals Findings Released

The Department of Energy published on July 22 a draft environmental impact statement for a proposed integrated gasification combined cycle facility. The $4 billion project is being constructed in south-central California by Hydrogen Energy California, and will be receiving over $400 million in federal funding. The Department is receiving public comments on the draft study until September 3.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

Draft Environmental Impact Study for IGCC Plant Released

Several environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, filed a formal protest on July 15 with the Bureau of Land Management over its June environmental impact statement for the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project, a proposed 515 mile transmission line project in Arizona and New Mexico. The groups said the project would create undue impacts on the environment and natural resources. If the protest is denied by the Bureau, the groups could file a suit against it.

SunZia Protest Filed

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced on July 22 the second offshore wind energy lease sale. Approximately 112,800 acres off the coast of Virginia will be available at the September 4 auction. The first auction will be held on July 31 for an area offshore Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Offshore Wind Lease Sale Announced

The Friends of the Earth filed a suit against the Department of State in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on July 16, saying the department failed to hand over communications records with Keystone XL pipeline lobbyists. The group previously filed a Freedom of Information Act request that was later denied.

Friends of the Earth Sues over Keystone Communication

A meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate was held on July 15 in Krakow where representatives from the 17 member nations prepared for the U.N. negotiations in Warsaw in the fall. Representatives from nations including China, India, and the U.S. discussed possible legal paths for the Warsaw agreement. A climate agreement is expected to be finalized in 2015.

MEF Meeting Held

Secretary of State John Kerry advocated for a strong U.S.-China relationship on climate action in a July 19 op-ed. Explaining that the two countries produce 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Secretary Kerry said the two countries must be world leaders on climate change action. He listed vehicle emissions and coal use as the two major areas of focus.

Kerry on U.S.-China Climate Relationship

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

The Environmental Protection Agency announced on July 15 that it is currently working on a boiler and solid waste incinerator proposed rule. The rule would expand the list of materials burned in these processes as fuels rather than solid wastes. The agency released a proposed rule on the matter on February 7; the new version is expected to be released in December.

Boiler Fuel Categorical Work Announced

Twelve state attorneys general filed a suit against the Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma on July 16, urging the agency to release information on its sue and settle strategy. The agency recently failed to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request; the states had requested communications documents related to a Clean Air Act regional haze program settlement. The states represented were AL, AZ, GA, KS, MI, ND, NE, OK, SC, TX, UT, and WY.

12 State AGs Sue EPA over Sue and Settle Strategy

Following the swearing-in of Gina McCarthy as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator on July 19, Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe resumed his position as Deputy Administrator. In addition, Janet McCabe assumed the role of Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, Administrator McCarthy’s previous position.

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Perciasepe, McCabe Position Change

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released a proposed rule on July 18 on interstate natural gas pipelines and electric transmission. In an attempt to improve coordination, the rule would create explicit authority for the pipeline and transmission owners to share private operational information. The parties would be prohibited from sharing the information with third party groups.

Pipeline, Transmission Information Sharing Rule Proposed

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission partially accepted two Order No. 1000 compliance filings on July 18. The Southeastern Regional Transmission Planning Process filing was accepted, but the cost-allocation scheme was determined to not account for economic or public policy related transmission need benefits. The Southwest Power Pool filing was asked to provide more information about public policy-driven transmission needs like state renewable portfolio standards.

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE

FERC Partially Accepts Two Order 1000 Filings

The Government Accountability Office released its report Labor’s Green Jobs Efforts Highlight Challenges of Targeted Training Programs for Emerging Industries on July 22, stating that the outcome of some Labor Department green jobs programs, representing some $500 million of stimulus funding, remains uncertain. Data on the final outcomes of about 40 percent of grantees was still not available by the end of 2013. However, grantees that have final outcome data available have reported training slightly more individuals than originally projected, yet job placements were only 55 percent of the target. The report noted that training-related job placement rates remain Report on Labor Green Jobs Programs unknown because the Labor’s Office of Inspector General found the available data to be too unreliable.

INTERNATIONAL

The Chinese National Energy Administration proposed on July 12 to limit sulfur content to 10 parts per million by 2018 in China V gasoline. China III gasoline limited sulfur to 150 ppm while China IV limited it to 50 ppm. Public comment will be accepted on the proposal through July 22.

China V Sulfur Content Proposed

At the July 15 meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, Russia blocked the creation of a marine wildlife reserve off the coast of Antarctica. While the proposal, which would have created a 3.8 million square kilometer zone of restricted industrial activity in the Southern Ocean, had support of 25 of the 27 commission member countries, any action by the body requires unanimous agreement. Ukraine also voted to oppose the sanctuary, largely due to Russia’s opposition.

Russia Vetoes Antarctic Marine Reserves

The World Bank executive board released an energy sector directions paper on July 16, agreeing to restrict financing for coal-fired power plants and to develop financing for natural gas and hydropower projects. Coal-fired plants are to be financed in countries with no viable alternatives for energy production. The World Bank previously committed to supporting low-carbon energy sources.

World Bank Commitment to Low-Carbon Energy

The European Commission announced on July 17 that Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht will meet with Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng on an undetermined date to discuss the Chinese solar panel antidumping duty case. The European Commission rejected on July 12 a Chinese proposal to prevent the 47.6 percent rise in antidumping duties. The talks are seen as a final attempt to solve this issue before the August 6 deadline.

STATES

EU, China Antidumping Talks Imminent

Delaware River Basin Commission Chairman Michele Siekerka announced at the July 10 quarterly meeting that the commission and the surrounding states of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania have made progress in creating natural gas development regulations. The commission is currently reviewing studies on the impacts of drilling on the river and surrounding environment. It is also compiling best management practices and state and federal performance standards.

Delaware River Basin Natural Gas Development Continues

The California Fifth District Court of Appeals instructed the California Air Resources Board in a July 15 order to keep the low-carbon fuel standard in effect until corrective action is finalized. The order, which finalizes a tentative June 3 decision in a case between the board and an ethanol producer, ordered the board to reopen its rulemaking process in order to adequately consider the environmental impacts of the standard.

CA LCFS to Remain in Effect

The California Air Resources Board proposed on July 19 amendments to the cap-and-trade program. The changes would create additional allowances for hydrogen producers, petroleum refiners, and certain manufacturers. The increase, targeted for industries facing out-of-state competition, would last through 2017.

CA Cap-and-Trade Amendments Proposed

New tax policies came into effect on July 22 in Arkansas granting income tax exemptions to biofuel manufacturers embarking on new capital investment projects. The laws grant tax savings to firms who invest at least $20 million in constructing or improving a drop-in biofuels manufacturing facility that creates at least 100 new jobs. The law was passed by the Arkansas state legislature in April.

MISCELLANEOUS

AR Tax Break for New Drop-in Biofuels Plants

The American Clean Energy Agenda submitted its draft executive order Identification of Critical Water Resources and Mitigation of Water Use Competition in Vulnerable Water Sheds to the White House on July 16, listing water management and protection as top administration priorities. Explaining that there is a water availability crisis, the group advocated for energy efficiency efforts, a national water census, and a water budget. The draft executive order also called for a shift away from water-intensive energy resources such as coal, nuclear, and natural gas.

Draft Water Executive Order Submitted

The International Finance Corporation and the World Green Building Council proposed the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies, a green building certification system for developing countries on July 16. The program, designed to be a building code minimum standard, will be piloted in Brazil, China, India, and South Africa; it will be expanded to 20 countries over the course of the year.

Developing Countries Green Building Certification Proposed

The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions released its report Weathering the Storm: Building Business Resilience to Climate Change on July 17, finding that companies on the S&P Global 100 Index recognize the risk of climate change to business operations but have continued on a business as usual path. 90 percent identified the risk, but a lack of current information on relevant impacts has meant the businesses have not mitigated the risk.

Business Climate Change Risk and Action Report

Deloitte reported in its annual study The Power Shift: Businesses Take a New Look at Energy Strategy that businesses’ energy efficiency priorities dropped from 2012 to 2013 despite these companies saying reducing electricity costs was important. 81 percent of companies said energy cost control was an important priority in order to stay competitive in 2013 compared to 85 percent in 2012. 

Jean Cornell also contributed to this article.