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April - May 2001

Conservation Update



State Energy Offices Bulletin

Stories submitted by state energy offices about their projects.

Arkansas

Energy Office Helps Develop Pilot HVACR Course

The Arkansas Energy Office of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development assisted in the development of a pilot program for heating and cooling contractors. Arkansas State University at Mountain Home offered the first in a series of continuing education courses specifically for the HVACR industry. This course, "Air-side Design for HVACR," was developed in conjunction with the Arkansas State HVAC Association, Arkansas Department of Health - HVACR Section, Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges, and Arkansas Energy Office. This collaboration was a result of continued efforts to provide the HVACR industry with education courses designed to improve installation procedures and practices, energy performance, and cost-saving opportunities.

The course subject and course content were chosen based on the results of the Energy Performance Evaluation of New Homes in Arkansas conducted by the Arkansas Energy Office. Results of the study showed that 96 of the 100 new homes had oversized heating and cooling equipment in a range from 50 percent to 300 percent. The average additional up-front cost to the builder for oversized equipment was $600.

The Arkansas Energy Office and its collaborative partners then instituted an extensive outreach educational program to review the study. As a result, a Workforce Training Consortium-HVACR Training Committee was developed to prioritize and determine a series of course curricula to assist the HVACR industry. The ultimate goal is to develop a core curriculum that may be transferred and available to 22 two-year colleges in Arkansas for the existing HVACR workforce.



Delaware

ENERGY STAR® Introduced to Delaware

PRO personnel attended a Pre-Earth Day news conference to introduce Energy Star to Delaware and to promote energy conservation in the state. Delaware's Lt. Governor John C. Carney Jr., State Senator Harris B. McDowell III, Delaware Energy Office representatives, and staff from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also attended. Senator McDowell has introduced legislation to provide incentives for the purchase of Energy Star homes and appliances. The proposed incentives are in the form of a one percent tax credit on the purchase of an Energy Star home and 5 percent credit on state income taxes for the purchase of Energy Star appliances. More than 500 homes constructed each year in Delaware qualify for Energy Star certification.



Idaho

State Passes Performance Contracting Enabling Legislation

On April 2, 2001, Governor Kempthorne signed into law a legislative bill that enables state-owned buildings to take advantage of performance contracting. Beginning July 1, 2001, this amendment to the Idaho code will allow the State Division of Public Works to solicit performance contractors on a qualification basis, forgoing the current low-bid process for contractor selection. With assistance from the Energy Services Coalition, staff from the Idaho Energy Division provided Representative Kent Kunz, Pocatello, with draft legislation that quickly moved through the House and Senate State Affairs Committees.



Iowa

Alliant Energy Begins Switchgrass Co-Firing Tests

Alliant Energy and Chariton Valley RC&D began initial switchgrass co-firing tests at the Ottumwa Generating Station in November and December. The co-firing is the first in a series of tests to be performed through 2003, demonstrating the technical feasibility of burning switchgrass with coal. "This is an important opportunity to expand Iowa's agricultural base through renewable energy crops," said Lyle Asell, interim director at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "Switchgrass offers many critical environmental benefits, along with strong economic potential for our farmers."



Geothermal Case Studies Showcase Iowa Schools

A new video and a publication developed by the Department of Natural Resources-Energy Bureau highlight several Iowa schools that have installed geothermal heat pump systems for heating and cooling. The case studies demonstrate the energy cost savings, increased comfort levels, maintenance improvements, and environmental benefits of geothermal technology. The schools showcased in the materials include Webster City Middle School, Lime Springs Elementary, Oelwein Middle School, Iowa Central Community College, and Clarke College.



New Report Offers Clean Energy Plan for Midwest

"Repowering the Midwest: The Clean Energy Development Plan for the Heartland," released by the Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest (ELPC), Chicago, outlines clean energy strategies, along with economic and environmental outcomes for the Midwest. The report uses sophisticated modeling to compare the Midwest's energy future through 2020 using "business-as-usual" practices versus implementing a clean energy plan. The complete report is available at: http://www.repowermidwest.org/



Louisiana

Building Energy Codes and Property Insurance Reduction Risk

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources has entered into an agreement with the Louisiana State University-Shreveport Center for Business and Economic Research to identify and quantify links between energy codes in construction and property loss due to natural disasters. This joint effort seeks to promote reduced insurance rates through establishment of stricter building energy codes and through stricter enforcement of existing building codes. Louisiana hopes to benefit from more insurance underwriters being willing to insure the areas of the state with the greatest likelihood of natural disaster property damage. Reductions in property damage insurance premiums would likewise benefit property owners.



State Energy Management Conference

More than 200 officials from various commercial facilities across the State of Louisiana attended a one-day conference entitled "Finding Solutions to Rising Energy Costs" on the Louisiana State University campus. The conference was hosted by Louisiana's Department of Natural Resources Technology Assistance Division, Energy Section, and LSU's Center for Energy Studies. The conference addressed key issues regarding rising energy costs, energy usage, and financing energy-efficiency improvements. Presenters included national and local energy experts from governmental agencies and private industry. DNR is planning to host another conference in the fall, focusing on K-12 schools, state buildings, and private commercial buildings.



Maryland

Governor Signs Executive Order Setting New "Green" Standards

"State government has a responsibility to maximize our resources and minimize the impact on our environment." With those words, Maryland's Governor Parris Glendening signed an Executive Order on March 13, 2001, creating a commission to make and set new "green" standards for state government. Supporting energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies and environmentally responsible state facilities, the Executive Order sets goals for "green power" purchasing in a progressive and comprehensive energy conservation strategy. An action plan addresses the effects of pollutants from power plants, vehicles, and industry on the climate and human health. The Executive Order also establishes a 16-member Maryland Green Buildings Council to develop a program of "green energy" design, construction operations, renovation, and maintenance for all new state-built facilities and existing state-owned and leased buildings.



Texas

Texas Passes Energy Legislation

The Texas Senate recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of Senate Bill 5, a comprehensive bill that establishes state energy standards and energy-efficiency implementation strategies. Sponsored by State Senator J. E. "Buster" Brown, S.B. 5 is the result of the tireless efforts of a broad coalition of government and industry partners and energy-efficiency advocates, supported by U.S. DOE's State Energy Program grants and technical assistance from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. As the bill currently reads, "the energy efficiency chapter of the International Residential Code, as it existed on May1, 2001, is adopted as the energy code in this state for single-family residential construction."