July-August 2002
Conservation Update
Feature Article
Louisiana's Tiger by the Tail
Louisiana's Energy Fund will soon issue its first round of energy loans. The fund is a public-private cooperative endeavor that provides public agencies with low-cost financing through a private bond issue for energy savings performance contracting. Louisiana's innovation, made possible by a unique partnership of DOE's Rebuild America and State Energy Program, is to pool the loans and assure a low interest rate.
Louisiana is revitalizing aging public infrastructure and improving its environmental performance at the same time. This summer, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) is launching its Energy Fund that will unleash $40 million in its first round of energy efficiency improvements at government agencies across the state.
How does Louisiana's Energy Fund Work?
Through its innovative Energy Fund, Louisiana is giving public agencies access to private financing in the form of low-interest bonds. Participating government agencies repay the bonds from savings on energy bills organized into long-term contracts with energy service companies (ESCOs).
The first key to the program is the low-cost financing. LDNR achieves this by pooling the applicants into a larger group for financing, and then by using its own funding, enhances the credit rating of the pool. The Louisiana Public Facilities Authority handles the tax-exempt bond issue, which, because of the involvement of LDNR, is rated at AAA.
The second key to getting agencies to participate is very low red tape. Once again, the pooling arrangement greatly reduces the time involved and transaction costs of handling the loans. Says Energy Fund Project Director Louis McArthur, "Once the Energy Fund was put in place, it was really easy for public agencies to participate."
During the first enrollment period between January and April of this year, 63 public agencies applied to participate in the Energy Fund. To date, 13 have been approved for the first round, representing a combined funding of $40 million.
Getting Started
The fund is the culmination of several years of brainstorming and planning by LDNR. According to McArthur, "We were looking for ways to fund energy efficiency projects in state agencies that were 'budget neutral' for public agencies." This way, agencies could upgrade their energy infrastructure without requiring a specific allocation by the legislature or their governing board.
"We were down to our last $5 million of Petroleum Violation Escrow (PVE) funding in Louisiana," says McArthur. "We decided that rather than put it to use in a few final projects, we would use that PVE funding to establish a fund through which we could leverage many times that amount in private funding."
LDNR, also known as the Louisiana Energy Office, put the loan program into its State Energy Program (SEP) plan for 2001. Soon after approval, the office announced the program at a conference in Baton Rouge last December. By April, the energy office had the project agreements in place, and subsequently, opened the solicitation for the first round of the Energy Fund.
Rebuild Louisiana helped coalesce the political support for the Energy Fund. Headed by LDNR, Rebuild Louisiana is one of the two such partnerships in the state that are part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Rebuild America. As of 2001, Rebuild Louisiana had 6.5 million square feet of floor space under energy-related renovation projects worth $12.7 million. Projected energy savings from these projects are 161,785 million Btu's worth $1.93 million per year. Nationwide, there are more than 100 such Rebuild partnerships headed up by state and local governments.
One of its members is the Louisiana Energy Services Coalition, which helped sell the Energy Loan program to its many potential constituents across the state. This coalition consists of 33 companies, state government officials, bankers, underwriters, and energy engineers—people who have a stake in and understand the program. According to energy office staff, it was the support of such coalitions as Rebuild Louisiana that forged a consensus behind the Energy Fund to get it put into place quickly.
Energy Service Performance Contracting
But the facts also helped move the debate along, and there are many advantages for state and local governments to use energy services performance contracts (ESPCs). Perhaps foremost among these, it turns operation of energy systems over to ESCOs that specialize in energy. And, of course, the savings are guaranteed in a contract.
Here is how it works. The ESCO agrees to pay for and manage the upgrades to the energy systems of a facility. Usually the upgrade involves the heating, cooling, temperature controls and air handling system of a building, but it could involve installing insulations or other measures that will improve the energy consuming infrastructure. The ESCO takes over management of the building for a certain period of time under the contract and pays the energy bills to the utility. The agency pays the ESCO instead of the utility for its energy. Because of the increased efficiency, payments are equal to or, more often, less than the previous utility bills.
The agency gets the equipment and efficiency upgrades without putting in up-front cash. It can enjoy saving from energy efficiency that often last years after the contract. Furthermore, the agency can take advantage of a number of upgrades under a single contract.
While ESPCs have been around for two decades or more, they are just beginning to gain widespread acceptance among state governments. For Louisiana, the Energy Fund represents its first foray into energy contracting. Nationwide, some state energy offices are forging ahead with ESPCs, while others are awaiting approval from their respective legislatures to define the parameters of their authority to place long-term contracts based on energy savings. The Louisiana Legislature helped set the stage for the Energy Fund by defining performance-based energy efficiency contracts in a recent statute.
Meanwhile, a large number of private companies and federal agencies take advantage of ESPCs through DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). In fact, FEMP has become one of DOE's big success stories for improving the energy performance of federal agencies, largely through energy service performance contracts.
LDNR has taken several steps to make the process easier for participating agencies, such as making standard contracts and documents available. LDNR also monitors the quality of the work done under the Energy Fund to make sure savings are living up to expectations. In return, participating agencies must report their actual energy savings.
Environmental Credits
The reporting is not intended for piling on paperwork. Instead, LDNR will use the Energy Fund to help address Louisiana's air quality problems. It involves an ambitious plan to sell emissions credits nationally through a first-of-its kind program for a state energy office.
The credits come from reduced electricity consumption from state agencies after the energy improvements. This results in reduced emissions from not generating that of electricity. Louisiana will capture credits for these emissions>)—sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrous oxides (NOx), and carbon dioxide (CO2)—to put them up for sale.
Because of its Energy Fund, Louisiana will have a leg up on other credits traders. The reason is that LDNR will establish a uniform method for calculating and reporting energy savings from the beginning. Other groups are still in the process of developing standards for such calculations, which are necessary for someone purchasing the credits to be assured of what they represent. LDNR has already organized its financial partners for the credit venture, including Lehman Brothers and Hibernia Bank of Baton Rouge.
The state is also taking advantage of expertise at the Leonardo Academy and the Louisiana State University Center for Energy Studies to assist in establishing a credit bank. Once such a bank is in place, LDNR plans to ask the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval under its State Implementation Plan (SIP).
The credit trading comes at a critical time for Louisiana because of the growing seriousness of its air quality problems. As of 2000, there were 9 parishes (counties) in the state that are classified as non-attainment areas for ozone, with a couple of these rated as "serious non-compliance." As a result, Louisiana now submits a SIP to improve air quality, the details of which have been the object of lawsuits and the focus of public attention. LDNR's project is demonstrating that energy efficiency can help improve environmental quality for the state.
Quality of Life
For people who live and work in them, these energy-efficiency improvements to public facilities are not just facts and figures, but affect their daily lives. One such facility is the B.W. Cooper Homes in New Orleans, which is the first low-income housing project in the state to participate in the Energy Fund. Located across Interstate 10 from the Superdome, B.W. Cooper contains 1,498 housing units that were built from 1946 to 1954.
As part of its energy savings performance contract organized under the first round of the Energy Fund, B. W. Cooper hopes to replace about one third of the windows with new, energy efficiency models such as this one. |
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According to Executive Director Darrell Williams, there have not been significant upgrades of the facilities since the homes were first built. As a result, much of the infrastructure is old and wastes lots of energy. "Take the underground water pipes, for example," says Williams, "leak water excessively." He points out that water consumption at B.W. Cooper is 170 gallons per person per day. "The cost of this waste is significant," points out Williams, noting that B. W. Cooper's utility bill was over budget last year.
With approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Housing Authority of New Orleans and working with LDNR, B. W. Cooper joined the Energy Fund in the first round. B.W. Cooper procured for and received bids from qualified energy services companies, and in March, selected the Water and Energy Savings Corporation, an ESCO located in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Currently, the ESCO is completing an energy audit of the homes and will submit its recommendations to B.W. Cooper in August. In addition to replacing the underground water pipes, the ESCO will install:
- Outdoor lighting for nighttime security.
- Fluorescent fixtures to replace incandescent fixtures throughout; currently B.W. Cooper uses all incandescent lighting.
- Tamper-resistant hallway lighting; currently mischievous teenagers and vandals break or steal hallway lighting, which results in hallway entrances remaining permanently in the dark.
- New shower fixtures and lower-flow commodes; currently residents do not have shower fixtures, which means they use excessive amounts of hot water for baths etc.
- New, energy-efficient windows and doors as money allows.
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All of the lighting in the B.W. Cooper housing complex in New Orleans will be changed from old, inefficient incandescent fixtures such as this one to new, low-energy fluorescent fixtures. |
After the B.W. Cooper expects to save several hundred thousand dollars per year on this first round of improvements over the 12-year life of the contract with Water and Energy Savings. Furthermore, HUD has agreed to allow B.W. Cooper to keep these savings in its budget for future upgrades. "Beyond the savings," says Williams, "these upgrades will increase security and improve the overall quality of life at B.W. Cooper."
Looking to the future, LDNR hopes to provide information about the Energy Fund to other state energy offices around the country. Says LDNR's McArthur, "We're proud of what we're doing in Louisiana. After all, if Louisiana can do it, other states can do likewise."
State Energy Offices Bulletin
Stories submitted by state energy offices about their projects.
Arizona
Agency Partnership Boosts Arizona Schools
Two agencies—the Arizona Energy Office and the School Facilities Board (SFB)—have partnered together to hire an energy engineer to work on new construction and replacement equipment. The partnership meets goals of both agencies. The Energy Office meets its objective to promote and encourage energy conservation measures throughout the state. The School Facilities Board (SFB) meets its objective to incorporate energy saving measures in school construction projects. The engineer will review projects funded by the Arizona Deficiency Corrections Fund and advise on issues related to energy consumption and conservation.
Governor's "Smart Energy Usage" Campaign Reduces Energy Costs
In response to Governor Jane Dee Hull's Smart Energy Usage campaign, six state agencies reduced their energy costs by five percent last summer. After reviewing data for July and August 2001, the six agencies demonstrated a combined savings of more than $130,000 in energy costs.
The Arizona Energy Office provided workshops and technical assistance to state facility managers in each of the agencies involved. The agencies achieved the savings by turning off lights, computers, and office equipment and raising thermostats by at least two degrees. The Arizona Energy Office is attempting to maintain the savings and promote another "Smart Energy Usage" campaign this summer.
Habitat for Humanity Implements Energy Saving Ideas
The Arizona Energy Office helped Habitat for Humanity determine the reason for higher utility bills found on some of its new homes. After conducting an extensive energy audit of several Habitat homes in Phoenix, with the assistance of local residents, the Energy Office made several recommendations for saving energy and improving the comfort levels in new homes. The energy-saving ideas included duct sealing and separate swamp cooler and air conditioning duct systems. The Energy Office also worked with the subcontractors to improve installation of air conditioning equipment and insulation. Through the Energy Office involvement, Habitat for Humanity has now adopted all the energy saving recommendations and is a participant in the home ENERGY STARTM program.
California
Tough Air-Conditioner Efficiency Standard
The California Energy Commission (CEC) announced in February that it has adopted the nation's toughest energy efficiency standard for central air conditioners. The new standard is 30 percent better than the existing federal standard. It is also 10 percent better than the proposed new federal standard, so it will require a waiver from the federal government to be enacted into law.
In addition, the Commission adopted new state standards for commercial refrigerators, beverage vending machines, exit signs, traffic signals, touchier lighting fixtures, coin-operated clothes washers, and electrical transformers.
Colorado
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This high-efficiency clean-fueled bus will tour Colorado rural areas this summer to bring the message of energy efficiency throughout the state. |
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Energy Savings Exhibit Tours State
The Colorado Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC) kicked off a summer-long educational effort in front of the state Capitol on July 9. The project involves a tour of rural Colorado by a hybrid-electric bus fueled by natural gas and provided by Denver-based TransTeq. The bus contains energy conservation exhibits, literature, and examples of alternative energy technologies.
District of Columbia
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Workers refurbish a solar hot water collector on the roof of a low-income home in Washington DC. The collector will reduce the homeowner's bills by $200 per year. |
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Energy Office Helps Low-Income Homeowner with Solar
Energy bills can motivate families from any income bracket into action. So it was when Dawn Dickerson, a District of Columbia (DC) homeowner, contacted the DC Energy Office in June 2001, she was working part time and receiving energy assistance from the LIHEAP program. Her home had an inoperative, older-model solar water heater from the late 1970s for which she wanted help to evaluate whether it would reduce her energy bills.
The Energy Office decided to help Ms. Dickerson through its Residential Conservation Assistance Program (RCAP). An Energy Office engineer helped evaluate the system and helped her find a RCAP contractor. DC's Daystar Energy Services submitted a bid for $1,950 and estimated a payback of 10 years for the work.
With her new solar system, Dickerson saves $200 per year for hot water on her gas bill. In addition to the solar heater, she had her attic insulated and her furnace tuned using funds from the Weatherization Assistance Program that save her an additional $200 per year.
Iowa
Energy Plan Available
Thanks to funding from DOE, the "Iowa 2002 Comprehensive Energy Plan Update (PDF 386) is now available. This biennial report provides an overview of Iowa's energy trends, the results of energy programs in the state, and policy recommendations for effective energy management in the future. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) also makes available a new electronic format of the Data Addendum on a CD-ROM containing the document in PDF format and Excel files containing data used to create charts.
Rebuild Iowa Bolsters Iowa County
Polk County will save thousands of dollars while improving its government buildings by joining Rebuild Iowa, a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) program that helps communities focus on energy efficiency improvements. As part of its agreement with the DNR, Polk County plans to implement at least $300,000 in energy efficiency improvements in the first year of the program, saving taxpayers $75,000 annually in energy costs. According to Monica Stone, head of the DNR's buildings programs, Polk County will be able to cut energy consumption by up to 15 percent while enhancing comfort and lighting levels.
The DNR anticipates that Polk County will participate in Rebuild Iowa for three years, focusing on county-owned buildings and the new Polk County Events Center in the initial year, and then expanding to other public buildings and nonprofit organizations. Funds from Rebuild Iowa and the DNR's Solid Waste Alternatives program will be used to hire a county resource manager to focus on helping the county save energy and reduce waste going to landfills.
Kansas
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Racers display a variety of solar powered cars and bicycles in Topeka. |
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Sunflower State Features Sun-Powered Vehicles
In mid-May, Topeka, Kansas became the solar vehicle capital of the United States for nine days. Three major events featuring photovoltaic (PV) vehicles were held in Heartland Park Topeka—the world's fastest track. These events include the third annual Formula Sun Grand Prix, the 6th annual SolarBikeRayce USA; and the second annual Solar Express. The Kansas Energy Office was a co-sponsor of this year's national solar racing events.
- The Formula Sun Grand Prix is a three-day endurance race on a 2.1-mile road course. The race features a dozen PV-charged, full-size, pollution-free electric cars built by college and university students from the United States and Canada.
- The SolarBikeRayce featured several dozen teams, primarily high school students, from New York to California, as well as two international teams from Australia and Malaysia. It is a 100-km (62-mile) road course race featuring electric bikes and small electric vehicles charged by PV panels.
- The Solar Express, a solar bike road race, combined solar power, human power, and ingenuity. This year, Solar Express was a three-day, 550-km race between the capital cities of Topeka, Kansas and Jefferson City, Missouri.
Kentucky
ENERGY STAR® Partners Exhibit at State Fair
The money saving and environmental benefits of ENERGY STARTM qualified products and building practices will be showcased in a 1500-square foot exhibit at this year's Kentucky State Fair in August. The exhibit will feature a demonstration home with ENERGY STARTM labeled appliances, heating and cooling equipment, lighting, and windows. Building practices that are components of an ENERGY STARTM qualified house will also be featured in the exhibit, along with a section of an ENERGY STARTM qualified manufactured home. To educate youngsters about energy efficiency, the exhibit will also feature an interactive "kid's zone." The Kentucky State Fair is always well attended, and this year we will introduce the ENERGY STARTM brand to its more than 650,000 attendees. The exhibit is the result of collaboration among various ENERGY STARTM partners in the state, including East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Louisville Gas & Electric, General Electric, Lowe's Home Improvement, Clayton Homes, Honeywell, Thomas Lighting, Jefferson County Air Pollution Control District, Dow, the Kentucky Division of Energy, certified Home Energy Raters, and homebuilders.
Louisiana
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The newly built, high-efficiency LaSalle Office Building in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana houses the Louisiana Energy Office. |
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Energy Office Moves into New Building Featuring Energy Efficient Design
This month, the Louisiana Energy Office will move into a new, 367,000 square foot, 12 story, art deco-style building. The Energy Office, which is part of the Department of Natural Resources, provided approximately $5 million dollars in Exxon funds included in their State Energy Program (SEP) grant to demonstrate the latest and most cost-effective commercially available, energy-efficient building technologies and design strategies. Among the energy-efficient technologies demonstrated are lighting, windows, HVAC and envelope materials. The LaSalle building, housing state government offices, will provide state employees, legislators, and the general public the opportunity to learn more about energy efficiency. The building is part of a major project to consolidate Louisiana State Government into the Capitol Park area of Baton Rouge. Two other new buildings in the park are also receiving design assistance from the Energy Office.
Web Tool Helps Residents Save Energy
The Louisiana Energy Office has a new Web-based tool to help homeowners and small businesses make retrofits that will save on energy costs. Now homeowners and small business owners can calculate their way to low-cost home improvements and bank the savings using Louisiana Energy Retrofit Advisor.
Mike French, Technology Assessment Director of the Department of Natural Resources Energy Section, said the Advisor is a user-friendly tool that average citizens can use to assess and analyze conditions in their homes or small offices. "Energy Office personnel worked with Louisiana State University to create the Web site so that consumers could follow simple steps to energy savings," French explained. The Web project was funded from Petroleum Violation Escrow (PVE) funds administered by DOE.
Massachusetts
Renewable Portfolio Standard
After almost three years of careful work, the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources (DOER) put a renewable portfolio standard into place on April 26, 2002. Under this standard, all Massachusetts electricity consumers will receive a minimum percentage of their supply generated from renewable energy beginning in 2003. The minimum will increase from one percent in 2003 to four percent in 2009. Power suppliers who do not want to purchase renewable can purchase credits from the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation.
The Massachusetts DOER did extensive research on the costs and benefits of a renewable portfolio standard. They also held hearings, and through a deliberative process, allowed both opponents and proponents of the RPS to present their views in public forums. For example, opponents are often opposed to government mandates of any kind. Proponents point out than an RPS is a market mechanism that keeps the government out of involvement with individual energy projects. For one of the best summaries of the issues surrounding an RPS and of papers summarizing the expected economic impact of the RPS on the state's electricity markets, see DOER's Renewable Portfolio Standard Web site.
New York
Energy Office Commits $24 Million for Combined Heat & Power
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is committing $24 million to install 56 combined heat and power systems throughout the state that will result in more than 35 megawatts (MW) of new electric generation. Combined heat and power systems enable commercial and industrial energy users to generate their own electricity while using waste heat from the electric generation equipment for productive purposes, such as space or water heating. When combined with co-funding from other sources, the NYSERDA projects represent a total investment of $96 million.
New York Governor George E. Pataki announced the state's commitment to the projects at a press conference on June 20, 2002 in Albany. "Combined heat and power systems represent a quantum leap in terms of energy efficiency," Governor Pataki said. "At the same time, the types of projects NYSERDA is supporting will make use of advanced technologies such as fuel cells, micro turbines, and clean generators that will result in fewer environmental emissions and cleaner air."
The Governor's announcement coincided with a national conference on combined heat and power sponsored by NYSERDA, DOE, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at the Sheraton New York in Manhattan. The hotel is one of the sites selected for a fuel cell system that will generate 250 kilowatts (kW) of power while using waste heat from the fuel cells for the hotel's domestic hot water needs.
Energy Plan Includes Efficiency, Renewables, Greenhouse Gas Reduction
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) released the New York State Energy Plan in June 2002. The plan aims to balance securing energy supplies with economic growth, and singles out the transportation sector for increasing energy efficiency. The plan includes aggressive goals for efficiency and renewable energy, and even includes a target reduction for emissions of greenhouse gases, including among others:
- Reduce primary energy use per unit of Gross State Product 25 percent below the 1990 level of energy use by 2010.
- Increase renewable energy from 10 percent of primary energy currently to 15 percent by 2020.
- Reduce GHG emissions five percent below 1990 levels by 2010.
- Establish a private sector biofuels industry in the state within five to ten years.
Said NYSERDA Chairman William M. Flynn, "This Energy Plan recognizes the inextricable link among energy, environment, and economic growth that exists in today's world."
Oklahoma
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Perry, Oklahoma opened its Energy Resource Center on May 23, 2002 to fanfare and an educational display of alternative fuel vehicles. |
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Perry Opens Energy Resource Center
The City of Perry, Oklahoma—population 5,000—is getting serious about energy. For the last two years, city leaders have been planning a way to assess the city's future growth, economic redevelopment, and energy needs and using energy efficiency and renewable energy as a cornerstone.
In May 2002, Perry opened its Energy Resource Center whose mission is to educate citizens about energy opportunities. The city pays one-third of the salary of the center coordinator, with the other two-thirds picked up by DOE and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The center will help increase efficiency in residential and commercial buildings in the city through energy audits and weatherization (for low-income homes). And the center showcases the lower energy costs of ENERGY STARTM appliances. See the city's Web site for more about the Energy Resource Center.
Located next to Interstate 35 in central Oklahoma, Perry has joined several national energy partnerships, including:
- Central Oklahoma Clean Cities coalition building the infrastructure to support alternative fuel vehicles beginning in 2001
- ENERGY STARTM public education programs beginning in 2002
- Rebuild America implementing a solar schools project beginning next year.
Contact: Linda Stinett, (405) 815-5271; Margie Bates, (303) 275-4845, margie.bates@ee.doe.gov
Oregon
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Beginning April 2002, part of the Oregon Capitol's electricity comes from solar energy supplied by this photovoltaic panel on the roof. |
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Energy Office Installs PV on Capitol
The Oregon Office of Energy, with the help of the Oregon Solar Energy Industry Association, Portland General Electric green power buyers, and others, placed a solar electric power system on the state Capitol building. Oregon is the first state in the nation to mount solar panels on its Capitol. Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber dedicated the solar photovoltaic (PV) system on Earth Day, April 22, 2002.
A portion of the energy generated by the solar array will be used to light the Capitol's Oregon Pioneer statue. The 23-foot gold leaf covered bronze statue represents the spirit of Oregon's early settlers. The four 250-watt lights illuminating the Golden Pioneer were shut off to conserve energy during the state's energy crisis in 2001. The remaining energy produced by the solar array will be sold to Oregon residents who choose to purchase Portland General Electric's green power. Oregon is the only state capitol building to have a solar electric power system. The project highlights solar energy technologies and a state policy that is one of the most supportive of renewable energy in the nation.
A two-day electrician and inspector training at the Capitol proceeded the installation. Approximately 50 electricians, electrical contractors, solar contractors, inspectors, and engineers attended. The training provided an intensive overview of small-scale solar electric generation, basic system design issues and installation requirements to meet the National Electrical Code.
Tennessee
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The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) installed this photovoltaic array at the Cumberland Science Museum in Nashville in 2000. It is the first solar power system to become part of TVA's Green Power Switch program. |
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Governor Kicks off Energy Policy with Green Power Purchase
Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist inaugurated the state's new energy policy in April 2002 by announcing that all state buildings in Nashville, including the governor's mansion, will obtain a portion of their electricity from renewable energy sources. Said Governor Sundquist at the announcement and standing in front of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules at the Cumberland Science Museum, "Tennessee's future depends on affordable, dependable energy. We all have a responsibility to wisely use that energy to protect our environment."
The state's green power purchase amounts to 720,000 kWh per year for which it will pay an additional $19,000 annually. The purchase is through the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Green Power Switch Program, which provides energy from wind, solar, and landfill gas.
For more information about Tennessee's energy policy and the Governor's Energy Policy Workgroup that formed it, see the Web site of the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development Energy Division.
Utah
State Building Receives ENERGY STAR® Plaque
Lieutenant Governor Olene Walker presented the Utah Tax Commission with an ENERGY STAR® Plaque to place on their new building on June 13, 2002. The Tax Commission building rates higher than 81% of similar office buildings nationwide in terms of energy efficiency. For a building to qualify for an ENERGY STAR® label, it must be more efficient than 75% of similar buildings in the country.
According to the Utah Energy Office, the building qualifies because of the following energy efficiency features:
- Evaporative cooling
- Advanced lighting technologies and controls
- Progressive operating schedules.
The State of Utah became a partner with ENERGY STAR® in January 2002.
State Energy Information
New state Web sites and publications, and DOE pubs dealing with energy efficiency and renewable energy in the states.
DOE Publications on State-Related Topics
Electric Power and Renewable Energy
Small Wind Electric Systems: An Idaho Consumer's Guide
(PDF 1.43 MB)
Idaho consumers' guide to purchasing a small wind electric system, rated less than 50 kW. In addition to information on wind and home energy systems, there is a map of state wind resources and lists of state contacts for more information. Published by the U.S. Department of Energy Wind Energy Program; 27 pp.; September, 2004.