Arizona
Twentieth Annual Energy Management Conference Scheduled
The 20th Annual Energy Management Conference, hosted by the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office and co-hosted by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, will be November 17-18, 1999, in Tucson. The conference is an educational forum which features sessions on energy policy, alternative fuels, and energy saving technologies that help government and institutions reduce energy use and utility costs. Energy professionals also have the opportunity to exchange information on the latest energy-conservation trends, techniques, and equipment.

The Governor's Award for Energy Efficiency program will be in conjunction with the conference on Thursday, November 18. The award program recognizes energy conservation and renewable energy work of educational institutions, local government, state agencies, and individuals.

Contact: Gloria Castro, (602) 280-1426; gloriac@ep.state.az.us

Energy Office Co-Sponsors Photovoltaics Workshop
The Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office and the Arizona Public Service teamed up to offer a one-day "Photovoltaics in Buildings" course on May 19, 1999, in Phoenix, Arizona. The course was geared toward practicing architects and design professionals. The class focused on the fundamental principles of photovoltaic (PV) technology, systems, and applications, together with clear-cut guidance on incorporating these principles into "real-world" building projects. Steven Strong, a nationally recognized expert with a "hands-on" understanding of designing and incorporating PV in buildings was the course presenter. Twenty attendees took the one-day course.

Contact: Jim Arwood, (606) 280-1409; jima@ep.state.az.us

Florida
Energy Crop Demonstration Funded
The Florida Energy Office is co-funding with the U.S. Department of Energy an Energy Crop Demonstration. The objective of this project is to establish the commercial feasibility of growing eucalyptus trees with a harvest cycle of approximately every four (4) years, and leucaena trees that will be harvested yearly. These energy crops will provide a sustainable supply of biomass fuels for electricity generation. For more information on the project, contact Steve Segrest, director of the Common Purpose Institute, at (813) 987-9728.

Contact: Emily Cook, (850) 488-2475

Idaho
Idaho Solar Awareness Week Focuses on Photovoltaics
The Energy Division conducted Idaho Solar Awareness Week July 25-31. The purpose of the week was to introduce the public to President Clinton's Million Solar Roofs Initiative, the Idaho Solar Initiative, and the Division's New Rebate Program. Activities included several pre-recorded and live radio talk shows, a proclamation reading ceremony, and a 1½-day photovoltaics conference. A special color insert was distributed with The Idaho Statesman newspaper on Monday, and the August issue of Idaho Currents, a bimonthly newsletter published by the Energy Division, focused on the initiatives and the use of photovoltaics.

The rebate program reimburses $3 for every watt of installed PV capacity. The rebate amount is for a maximum of 25 percent of the total cost up to $5,000 based on panel wattage. Participants are required to document cost effectiveness by submitting line extension estimates from their local utility company. Any installation that is at least one-third of a mile from the nearest utility power line will meet the program guidelines. The program is designed to award rebates for 30 PV systems in Idaho during the next 12 months.

To find out more about the rebate program or to obtain a copy of the newspaper insert or the August issue of Idaho Currents, contact Linda Cawley at (208) 327-7982 or email lcawley@idwr.stae.id.us.

Contact: Linda Cawley, (208) 327-7982

Iowa
Iowa Develops Energy Code Toolkits
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has developed residential and commercial energy code toolkits for training building code officials. These toolkits were prepared under contract with Enermodal Engineering, Inc., in an effort to increase the understanding, compliance, and enforcement of Iowa building energy codes. The Iowa toolkits are based on the 1992 Model Energy Code (MEC) for the residential sector and the ASHRAE 90.1 Code for the commercial sector.

Pre-training surveys indicated a need to make the Iowa building energy codes easy to understand and follow. To assist in this effort, two-page checklists were created. These checklists can be used by designers, homebuilders, plan reviewers, and field inspectors to verify project information and show which path or method is used for compliance. The checklists are used to record compliance data on the envelope, lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and service equipment specifications.
The toolkits include:

• detailed instructions on how to properly complete the checklists;
• a summary of basic requirements;
• steps for verification of compliance using plans, the checklist, and compliance documents;
• illustrations of energy efficient designs with good building practices and rules of thumb;
• guidance for inspectors using the checklist and plans; and
• identification of sources for additional information.

These toolkits were used extensively in small group workshops and one-on-one training. Post-training evaluations from local building officials indicated the toolkits were beneficial in helping them learn about energy code compliance and enforcement and as reference materials.

Contact: Craig Stark, (515) 281-4739; cstark@max.state.is.us
Web site: www.state.ia.us/dnr/energy

Iowa's Crawford Farm Methane Energy Recovery System is Operational
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Energy Bureau has worked with a consortium of public and private organizations to install a methane energy recovery system at Steve and Audrey Crawford's swine finishing operation near Nevada, Iowa. The system, which became fully operational in the spring of 1999, features a high-rate anaerobic digester designed by Iowa State University researcher, Dr. ShihWu Sung. The digester, called an Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor (ASBR), is automated to keep demands on the farmer's time to a minimum.

Methane, produced as the digester breaks down the manure, is used to fuel a boiler. Heat from the boiler is applied as needed to maintain digester temperature at optimal levels. Initial reports show a biogas production rate of 40,000 to 44,750 standard cubic feet per day. The methane content of the biogas is 74 percent. In addition, laboratory tests comparing pre- and post-digested manure estimate odor reduction of 72 percent.

The Crawford Farm methane recovery demonstration site is one of several projects being developed as part of Iowa's Methane Energy Recovery Program designed to encourage livestock producers, agricultural processors, and others to implement anaerobic digestion and methane conversion technologies. Benefits associated with these technologies include energy production, odor control, reduced risk of water pollution, pathogen reduction and methane emissions reduction.

Contact: Alison Kovac, (515) 281-8094; akovac@max.state.is.us
Web site: www.state.ia.us/dnr/energy

Kansas
KCC Co-Sponsors Performance Contracting Workshops
The Kansas Corporation Commission, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy's Rebuild America Financial Services, hosted two Performance Contracting Workshops in Wichita and Topeka, July 28 and 29, respectively. The workshops were extremely well received with more than seventy attendees representing several municipalities, and public and private schools, hospitals, and colleges/universities.

Rebuild America Financial Services' Michael Arny and Dr. John Munro presented sessions on "What is Energy Performance Contracting," "Introduction to Performance Contracting," "Performance Contracting vs. Conventional Contracting," "Financing Options," " Developing and Implementing Your ESPC," "Performance Measurement and Verification," and "Lessons from Past Projects." These sessions not only provided essential information to participants, but also developed on-going discussions.

Because of Kansas' cash basis law, there had been some questions as to the legality of public entities using the mechanism-i.e., multi-year "contracts" for capital improvements. One session focused on the means of legally using performance contracting. Many school board attorneys, however, are still uncomfortable with the arrangement. Agencies and organizations participating in the workshops have indicated their preliminary support of sponsoring "enabling legislation" that specifically addresses these concerns. Model legislation related to this topic will be explored and draft legislation presented to the Kansas 2000 Legislative Session.

Contact: Jim Ploger, (785) 271-3349; j.ploger@kcc.state.ks.us

Louisiana
Louisiana Develops Photovoltaic Project
The Energy Section has developed a project to demonstrate the application of photovoltaic power in an area where conventional electric power may not be possible or may be cost prohibitive. In order to create a real world example, two solar panels were erected in the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Waddill Refuge's Outdoor Educational Pavilion. The solar panels are part of a complete stand-alone system that will totally power the pavilion's lights, fans, and skeet throwers, which are housed in the same location. The pavilion will feature the most advanced technology currently available to automatically control the fans and lighting, thus making the building highly energy efficient.

The project, constructed primarily as an educational site, was a partnership effort between Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Contact: Buddy Justice, (225) 342-4498

Maryland
EPC Approved for State Complex in Baltimore
An Energy Performance Contract approved by the Board of Public Works is replacing and operating heating, cooling, and lighting systems in a State complex of four buildings in Baltimore. The project began with a $92,000 feasibility and detailed engineering study. The financial aspects derived from $3.7 million approved by the legislature; $9.4 million as a line of credit through the State EPC Master Lease created jointly by the Maryland Energy Administration and the State Treasurer's Office; and $6.2 maintenance costs from guaranteed costs savings. Essentially, this project was created with only $3.7 million and will return $19.3 million in goods and services over the next 13 years. The project is unique because it is the first EPC in Maryland to exceed a 10-year project life. The Maryland Energy Administration's efforts have extended the project life of EPCs from 10 years to 15 years. To date, EPCs have guaranteed annual savings of more than $7,000,000.

Contact: Karen Galindo, 1-800-72-ENERGY; kgalindo@energy.state.md.us

Nebraska
Energy Office Awarded Three Grants Totaling $157,000
In June, the Nebraska Energy Office received three competitively awarded grants totaling $157,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy. The grants will help the agency promote geothermal heat pumps for schools, test a blend of ethanol and diesel in Omaha buses, and help reduce the state's Army National Guard's energy costs in its facilities. In-kind contributions and cost-sharing by the agency's partners will add $134,000 to the projects.

The Geothermal Heat Pump Training Program will team three electric utilities-Nebraska Public Power District, Omaha Public Power District, and Lincoln Electric System-along with Central Community College and Energy Office staff to provide information to school officials, architects, and engineers and provide training for well drillers and installers of geothermal heat pump installations. The one-year grant is for $50,000. Nebraska, a national leader in geothermal heat pumps, has an estimated 30 systems currently installed in schools.

The Omaha Clean Cities Coalition Oxy-Diesel Project will fuel 10 Metro Area Transit Authority buses with 15 percent ethanol/80 percent diesel blend for one year to test the ability of the fuel blend to reduce pollution. A special fuel-blending agent makes the diesel/ethanol fuel usable without engine modifications. Other partners on this $42,800 grant include the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board and the Nebraska Corn Marketing and Development Board.

The Federal Energy Management Program/Nebraska Army National Guard effort will allow the hiring of a resource efficiency manager by the Guard so that energy saving improvements identified earlier can be made in the 1.3 million square feet of federal and state military buildings under the Guard's jurisdiction. This $64,500 grant is for one year.

Since 1996, the state's Energy Office has won 11 competitive federal grants totaling $1.432 million. Six of the grants, totaling $1.15 million, were for housing-related activities that expanded the agency's services to the state's builders, realtors, and local housing officials.

From Nebraska Energy Quarterly, Summer 1999, Nebraska Energy Office, (402) 471-2867

Vermont
Vermont Undertakes Farm Methane Study
The Vermont Department of Public Service, with the Vermont Department of Agriculture, has undertaken a Farm Methane Project to help the state's agricultural sector address three issues: manure management on farms, renewable energy production, and greenhouse gas reduction.

The project will research ways to reduce the cost and increase efficiency of methane recovery. It will also develop partnerships between experts in manure management and water quality protection. On the renewable energy front, it will assess potential economic benefits of methane as an energy source, according to Vermont Public Service Commissioner Richard P. Sedano. The project got underway in late 1998.

A 15-year-old anaerobic digester in Middlebury will be modified to host experiments aimed at reducing operating costs and boosting methane gas production. Specifically, methods of speeding biogas production will be sought, which would support the design of smaller, less expensive methane digesters. The cost of digesters has discouraged smaller dairy farms from using them. In addition, the project will research the potential for a community digester that would aggregate manure from multiple farms and combine it with industrial food byproducts, whey, and other waste.

The project is managed by a director and a team of energy and agriculture experts, including staff of the Natural Resource Conservation Districts, renewable energy advocates, farmers, and an electric utility. This unique effort is funded by a $300,000 U.S. Department of Energy grant secured with the assistance of Senator James Jeffords, R-VT.

Vermont has about 1,800 dairy farms and is New England's largest milk producer. The Vermont Department of Public Service has a staff of 45 persons. It serves as public advocate in utility matters and is the planning agency for Vermont's energy and telecommunications future. The department's Energy Efficiency Division promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Contact: Christopher Owen, (802) 828-4038

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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