Chicago, Ill.— Two initiatives for energy-efficient electric motors were launched June 25 at the Electrical Apparatus Service Association's (EASA, St. Louis, Mo.) annual convention and exhibition at McCormick Place in Chicago.

The first program, "NEMA Premium," by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA, Rosslyn, Va.) provides a consistent specification of premium-efficiency motors not previously available.

The voluntary NEMA Premium Efficiency Electric Motor Program expands greatly on EPAct 92 federal regulations, effective since October 1997. Efficiencies specified are typically 1-2% above EPAct. NEMA Premium covers general-purpose induction motors up to 500 hp, including medium-voltage units, plus definite- and special-purpose motors in the 1-200 hp range.

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE, Boston, Mass.) is a co-promoter of the program.

The second program, "Motor Decisions Matter" (MDM), is a national campaign that gives commercial and industrial customers tools to develop an overall management plan for motors. This effort is sponsored by 18 motor/generator manufacturers and service centers, utilities, government agencies, and trade associations, including CEE, EASA, and NEMA.

MDM uses life-cycle costing methods to determine whether motors should be repaired or replaced before they fail, and when to install energy-efficient motors.

For more information, visit www.nema.org, www.ceeformt.org, www.easa.com, www.motorsmatter.org, or www.controleng.com/freeinfo.