U.S. DOE
10th Residential Energy Consumption Survey results are released
A Look at Residential Energy Consumption in 1997 (DOE/EIA-0632-97), from the Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration, presents the results of the 10th Residential Energy Consumption Survey and includes information on household energy consumption, energy expenditures, and energy-related household characteristics. Available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, (202) 512-1800; the National Energy Information Center, EI-30, Room 1E-238 Forrestal Building, USDOE, Washington, DC 20585; (202) 586-8800; and at http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/pdf/consumption/063297.pdf.

Arizona
Arizona joins Air Pollution Prevention Forum
In an effort to continue promoting the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency, Energy Director Amanda Ormond, has joined the Air Pollution Prevention Forum (APPF). The Forum will examine local and regional barriers to the use of renewable energy and efficiency technology and make program and policy recommendations to overcome barriers. The intent of the APPF is to expand the use of these technologies to reduce air emissions from energy production that results in haze in the Grand Canyon region. The forum was created as part of the Western Regional Air Partnership (WRAP). The partnership is an effort of tribal, state, and federal government agencies to promote implementation of the recommendations from the Grand Canyon Visibility Transport Commission (GCVTC). Visit the WRAP Web site at www.wrapair.org/

Contact: Amanda Ormond, (602) 280-1402

"Building a High-Performance Home" training workshops planned
Today's homes and commercial buildings are becoming increasingly complex. If not constructed properly, there can be serious consequences to the health, safety, comfort, and wallets of building owners and occupants. The Energy Office is partnering with Arizona utility companies to hold workshops in Phoenix and Tucson on "Building a High-Performance Home." Conducted by Advance Energy Corporation, the workshop utilizes applied building science programs, which are based on an integrated view of a house system triangle--the thermal envelope, the mechanical system, and the air distribution system. Each of these components interacts with the others and with the occupants, creating unforeseen consequences in terms of occupant health, safety, comfort, building durability, and affordability. The workshops are targeted toward buildings, key contractors, realtors, and homeowners.

Contact: Charlie Gohman, (602) 280-1428; e-mail charlieg@azcommerce.com

Arkansas
Solar-powered pump makes debut at farm show
The Arkansas Department of Economic Development demonstrated today one of the state's newest pieces of high-tech farm equipment, a Photovoltaic Water Pumping Prototype, at the Arkansas Farm Show.

The development and construction of the first-of-its-kind solar-powered pump was funded with a $25,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Economic Development's Energy Office Team. The purpose of the demonstration project is to evaluate the use of this new energy technology in the state's important agricultural sector of the economy. The solar-powered, trailer-based pump demonstrated at the Arkansas Farm Show is the first time this technology has been deployed in the state, and it's one of the largest mobile agricultural applications in the nation for low-volume re-lift agricultural pumping.

Bill Ball, president of Stellar Sun. Inc, the company that designed and built the pump, said the equipment pumps about 100 gallons of water a minute.

Even though the solar unit pumps smaller volumes of water than larger, diesel-powered pumps, farmers can use the solar unit in the winter when surface water and time are more available for supplemental pumping needs. The department's Energy Office Team will announce details on how farmers can participate in the demonstration project in the near future.

Contact: Simon Lee, (501) 682-5154

Iowa
Gov. Vilsack to Chair Governors' Ethanol Coalition
Starting Jan. 1, 2000, Governor Vilsack will begin his one-year tenure as chair of the Governors' Ethanol Coalition (GEC). Nebraska's Governor Mike Johanns will serve as vice chair of the GEC in 2000, and will chair the organization in 2001.

The GEC is a bipartisan organization representing 23 states along with Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Sweden. The GEC works to expand national and international markets for ethanol through policy recommendations, market research, and promotion of an E85 infrastructure. Ethanol offers significant opportunities to improve the nation's economy, environment, and energy security. During the year 2000, the GEC will focus on California's motor fuel market to ensure a role for ethanol; the support of ethanol in Phase II of the reformulated gasoline program; and expanded ethanol use and production through state and regional initiatives.

Contact: Angela Chen, (515) 281-4736; e-mail, Angela.Chen@dnr.state.is.us.
Web Address: www.state.ia.us/dnr/energy

Maryland
Energy Institute offers range of education and training programs
The Maryland Energy Institute (MEI) has developed energy education and energy efficiency initiatives since 1991, when the Maryland Energy Administration strengthened its program to achieve goals outlined by the Governor's Energy Task Force. Constant efforts are made to develop comprehensive energy education and technical training programs at reasonable cost for Maryland citizens. A few of the offerings from MEI are:

• Regional Energy Workshops for Local Governments: electric deregulation and performance contracting training programs at community colleges throughout Maryland. With DOE funding, energy efficiency programs, including energy audits, will continue due to the interest and requests of past participants.

• Small Business Energy Star Buildings Workshops: successfully piloted in 1999 with 65 energy and facility managers participating. The workshop was taken "on the road" and repeated in November in Massachusetts to 27 participants representing local government and state energy officials.

• Popular course offerings on timely energy topics, such as "Energy Management Principles" offered in August and October 1999, will be given again in April 2000; "Energy Resource Management Training Program for Senior Executives," offered in July 1999, addressed issues of electric deregulation. More than 45 school system representatives attended and heard presentations from the PENCON Program and the Delaware Valley Purchasing Collaborative in Pennsylvania. The program focused on development of a generic RFP for purchasing electricity. More course meetings are scheduled for February and April 2000.

• Statewide Electric Deregulation Conference, "Piecing Together the Power Puzzle," will be offered in March 2000 and present varied topics: "Status Report on Utility Deregulation in Maryland," "The Realities of Buying Power," "Maryland Investor-Owned Utility Settlements," and others. Breakout sessions with roundtable discussion on small business, industrial, commercial, institutional, and government issues also are on the program. Further conference information: 1-800-72-ENERGY.

• Two-year degree program for energy management and technology education. This includes a degree program implementation at the Community College of Baltimore County for Spring 2000. It is sponsored by the Partnership for Environmental Technology Education and the Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center and funded by U.S. DOE's office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Contact: Dale Baxter, 1-800-72-ENERGY; e-mail dbaxter@energy.state.md.us

New Jersey
Renewable energy lessons culminate with energy calendar
More than 200 students participated in the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (Board) Renewable Energy Poster Contest for the Year 2000. The Board received funds from the U.S. Department of Energy to provide educators with a Renewable Energy Guide for grades 5-8. The guide was to assist teachers in the education of students on renewable energy, and the benefits of using renewables. Once students had been taught the rudiments of renewables, they were given the opportunity to participate in a poster contest. The students were asked to draw a poster depicting their impression of ways renewable energy can be used in New Jersey. The winning designs were produced in a Year 2000 calendar for New Jersey. To help defray some of the cost associated with the calendar, New Jersey offered utility companies, renewable energy companies, and other energy-related organizations the opportunity to sponsor a month. The participating companies were allowed a small section of the month for a goodwill message along with their logo.

Contact: Molly Davis, (973) 648-7406; e-mail davism@bpu.state.nj.us or Sharon Wolfe, (973) 648-7279; e-mail wolfe@bpu.state.nj.us

New Hampshire
Governor announces renewable energy grants
New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen has announced that five state organizations and businesses will receive grants through the Governor's Office of Energy and Community Services to develop projects that use several different solar energy technologies to produce pollution-free energy.

Projects receiving grants of up to $10,000 include a solar electric system and exhibit at the Seacoast Science Center at Ordiorne Point State Park, which borders the Atlantic Ocean in Rye, NH, and the "Solar Express," a solar-powered delivery vehicle to be built by the Peterborough-based Monadnock Solar Electric Car Team. More than 80,000 people a year visit Ordiorne Point State Park.

Amoskeag Fishways in Manchester received a grant to develop a solar and renewable energy education program; the Concord Area Trust for Community Housing was awarded a grant for a solar hot water heating system for a Concord apartment building; and Sunweaver Energy in Northwood received funds for a solar electric installation and solar education programs. Each project includes programs to educate the public about the benefits of renewable energy.

The Renewable Energy Technology Grants Program is one of several Governor's Office of Energy and Community Services initiatives established in the last three years to promote renewable energy and energy conservation in New Hampshire. Other programs include the Solar on Schools Program, New Hampshire Green Schools, the Building Energy Conservation Initiative to improve energy efficiency in state buildings, and the Community Energy Partnership Grant Program for local governments.

Contact: Robin Read, (603) 271-2611

New Mexico
Governor Johnson issues executive order on energy and water use efficiency
Governor E. Johnson has signed Executive Order 99-40 entitled "Energy and Water Efficiency in State Government." The intent of this Order is to continue reducing energy and water consumption throughout the New Mexico State Government Operations. The Executive Order is actually a revised and updated version of an Order signed in August of 1996. Under that previous Executive Order, state government agencies were directed to reduce energy consumption 4% from 1996 levels by June 1998. That goal was exceeded, with a 5.4% reduction in energy consumption achieved. Collectively, agencies reduced their utility costs by more than $263,000 per year. There were also significant strides made in reducing water consumption in state facilities.

The revised and updated Executive Order includes as one of its primary goals reducing energy use in state buildings by at least 4% from 1998 levels by June 2002. To facilitate this effort, state agencies are required to revise and update their energy management plans, as well as their water conservation strategies.

Other key aspects of the revised/updated order include

• Stronger emphasis on the purchase and use of vehicles that run on alternative fuels;
• Publicizing and encouraging the use of performance contracting as a mechanism to achieve greater energy and water use efficiency;
• Application of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Design Standard 90.1-1989 for a new state government buildings.

Contact: Chris J. Wentz, (505) 827- 4546

South Carolina
Energy Office announces lighting initiative for financially challenged school districts
The State Budget and Control Board through the South Carolina Energy Office is pleased to provide to qualifying schools the new Schools Initiative Lighting Grant Program. With lighting retrofits being the easiest and least expensive first step to energy efficiency, the South Carolina Energy Office encourages schools to give priority consideration to lighting upgrades for their facilities.

The Schools Initiative will make available grants of up to $75,000 to the state's 28 most financially challenged districts -- those that rank lowest in "wealth per pupil" or in "required local support" as defined by the State Department of Education.

These grants will provide funding for projects that install energy efficient lighting and bring illumination levels into compliance with the South Carolina School Facilities Planning and Construction Guide. Districts will be required to contribute a minimum cost share of 25 percent of the project cost. If the district is unable to acquire the cost share, financing is available from the South Carolina Energy Office's ConserFund Loan Program. The total funding of $3 million will be awarded in three annual cycles of $1 million.

To be considered for funding, an eligible school district must complete a School Funding Initiative Grant Application (available from the South Carolina Energy Office) along with a study detailing existing and proposed lighting, the annual cost savings that will result from the implementation, and the cost of the project. School districts may request assistance from the South Carolina Energy Office in obtaining a qualified lighting study.

School districts not classified among the most financially-challenged may apply to the S.C. Energy Office for free energy audits and low-interest loans that can be repaid directly from energy savings.

Contact: Howard Coogler, (803) 737-8030

CONSERVATION UPDATE is a free monthly publication prepared by the Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet, Division of Energy, with funding from the United States Department of Energy, to facilitate the transfer of current State Energy Program (SEP) and technical information among the states and territories. Please submit short articles that describe successful programs, solicit ideas, share reports, studies or evaluations, or announce new publications, personnel changes, office address changes, conferences, seminars and workshops. Submittals are due by the seventh of each month. Please send submittals, address corrections, or name changes to: CONSERVATION UPDATE, Division of Energy, 663 Teton Trail, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, phone (502) 564-7192, facsimile (502) 564-7484, email: landry@nrepc.nr.state.ky.us. Past issues are available upon request. For more information, contact Karen W. Landry, Editor, or John M. Stapleton, Director.

Visit the Division's Web site at www.nr.state.ky.us/nrepc/dnr/energy/dnrdoe.html

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