DALE BASSO Reliance Electric

At its January meeting, CEE’s Board of Directors authorized a three-year extension of the Motor Decisions Matter campaign.

In Phase 3, the campaign will focus on local coordination between MDM sponsors and their C&I customers.

“Sponsors feel that a greater emphasis on local coordination will result in more facility upgrades and greater implementation of motor management
plans,” said CEE Program Manager Ilene Mason,
who manages Motor Decisions Matter.

“CEE will still be working on the national level, spreading the word about the importance of motor management. But sponsors want to make sure that businesses are taking advantage of motor management programs offered by local utilities.”

Motor manufacturers are in full agreement. MDM sponsors include 11 major motor manufacturers as well as the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (which represents a large share of motor manufacturers) and the Electrical Apparatus Service Association (which represents motor service centers and distributors).

On behalf of motor manufacturers around the country, Dale Basso, Product Manager at Reliance Electric and Chair of the NEMA Motors Section, delivered a presentation to the CEE Board in support of MDM. “We really do care about efficiency,” said Basso. “Motor Decisions Matter is a useful vehicle in this effort.”

Basso emphasized the value of the partnership between the motors industry and efficiency program administrators. The partnership has grown over the years as a result of MDM, he said. Basso voiced support for building on that partnership at the local level to deliver MDM’s message, tools and relationships in the field.

He noted that Motor Decisions Matter adds a “neutral third-party legitimacy” to the manufacturers’ message while providing centralized messages and resources.

“The campaign also allows for synergistic messages, such as variable-speed drives, pumps and services,” he said.

He pointed out that getting the message to small- and medium-sized end-users is critical. “Large companies often have a person on staff who handles energy efficiency,” said Basso. “It’s the smaller companies that need our help.”

Insights from the motors industry, the motor service industry and the efficiency community were incorporated into the Phase 3 Business Plan.

“Motor vendors and service providers are in a position to make contact with those hard-to-reach customers and engage them in motor planning,” said Mason. “Partnering with local efficiency programs brings additional credibility, consistency and resources.”

This type of partnering also supports CEE member goals. “CEE members have developed program approaches that support motor management in the market," added Mason. “Their results include energy and demand savings, as well as enhanced trade ally partnerships.”

There is growing enthusiasm among the sponsors as MDM rolls out the 2007 activity schedule (see “Campaign Events” at www.motorsmatter.org). In addition, the campaign welcomes two new sponsors, Austin Energy and Alliant Energy.

For more information about the campaign or about upcoming events, please contact Ilene Mason.

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