Since December 2007, when President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) into law, industrial program administrators have voiced questions about how the new federal minimum standards for electric motors could affect industrial sector energy efficiency programs. Motor Decisions Matter (MDM), a campaign managed by CEE and sponsored by CEE members, motor manufacturers, and affiliated trade associations, hosted a free webcast to convey information about the new federal regulations. More than 80 people, representing CEE members, motor sales and service centers, and motor manufacturers, participated, and now information from the popular webcast is posted for all CEE members to pursue.

Dain Hansen, government relations manager for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) was the featured speaker for the MDM webcast. NEMA was actively involved in developing EISA. Rob Boteler, director of marketing for Emerson Motors and chair of the NEMA Motor Generators Marketing Committee, served as a technical resource.

In addition to the overview of the electric motor provisions included in EISA and the EISA technical corrections process, the presentation summarized other legislation related to electric motors, including the Amendment to Codify Energy Conservation Standards, Test Procedures for Electric Motors, and Energy Conservation Standards for Small Electric Motors. The webcast also provided important background information for the CEE Motors and Motor Systems Committee as they continue their exploration into the potential for a specification for motors with efficiencies higher than NEMA Premium^®. New federal minimum standards for electric motors are a good example of where changes in federal laws directly affect efficiency program offerings.

Following the presentation, participants engaged the presenters in a series of related questions. A summary of the presentation, along with questions and answers, is available online. Several resources with background information about EISA and its potential implications are also available online.

About MDM
Managed by CEE, MDM is a national public awareness campaign sponsored by a consortium of motor manufacturers, motor service centers, trade associations, electric utilities, and government agencies. MDM and its sponsoring organizations provide support, such as the June 5 webcast, and other free tools and events for companies and CEE members interested in motor management.

MDM Logo
The MDM Campaign provides the forum for motor manufacturers, efficiency programs, and the motor service industry to advance the group’s common goal to improve the way in which industrial motor repair and replace decisions are made by promoting the financial and performance benefits of sound motor management policies to industrial managers. Specifically, these policies include the adoption of NEMA Premium motors, best practice repair, and proactive motor planning.

For more information about MDM, or to download tools and resources to facilitate motor management and motor planning visit the MDM web site.

[ back to top ]