March-April 2003
Conservation Update
Feature Article
State Partnerships Uplift ENERGY STAR®
by Karen Wilson, Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection
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To contact ENERGY STAR, call 888.STAR.YES (888.782.7937). |
State energy offices are making their own low-cost and "low-stress" approach to energy efficiency using ENERGY STAR. Today 19 states are officially partners with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) and Department of Energy's (DOE) energy label for consumers.
The partnership carries a number of advantages for state energy offices, not the least of which is helping them to fulfill their mission to educate consumers about energy. In the first year of its partnership, for example, Kentucky reached tens of thousands of consumers with the message of better living through energy efficiency.
State Partnerships with ENERGY STAR, March 2003
| State Energy Office with Link to State Energy Star Program | State Energy Office Contact | Date of Partnership |
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| Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs | Karen Clifton | November 2002 |
| California State & Consumer Services Agency | Arnie Sowell | October 2001 |
| Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs | Andrea Reiff | December 2000 |
| Idaho Energy Division | Anne Brink | January 2000 |
| Iowa Department of Natural Resources | Michael Adams | May 2001 |
| Kentucky Division of Energy | Julie Smither | September 2001 |
| Maryland Energy Administration | Paul Rosencrantz | June 2001 |
| Michigan Energy Office | John Sarver | January 2001 |
| Minnesota Department of Commerce | Bruce Nelson | June 2001 |
| Mississippi Development Authority, Energy Division | Janis Hill | February 2003 |
| Missouri Energy Center | Benda Wilbers | November 2001 |
| Nebraska Energy Office | Bonnie Ziemann | February 2003 |
| New York Research and Development Authority | Customer service | April 1998 |
| Ohio Department of Development | Stjepan Vlahovich | February 2001 |
| Tennessee Energy Division | Fred Stratton | December 2002 |
| Texas State Energy Conservation Office | Dub Taylor | June 2002 |
| Utah Energy Office | Jeff Burks | September 2002 |
| Wisconsin Focus on Energy | Jim Mapp | January 2001 |
How do ENERGY STAR partnerships work?
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The ENERGY STAR logo has become one of the most visible symbols of energy efficiency in marketing history. |
State energy offices are joining up with this nationally recognized program that has received special emphasis in the National Energy Policy and in President George W. Bush's 2002 State of the Union Address.
What is ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR is a registered U.S. trademark created to help consumers and businesses identify energy efficient products, buildings, and homes. The label can be found on more than 38 categories of products, including appliances, consumer electronics, heating and cooling equipment, lighting, office equipment, and home envelope products such as roofing, doors and windows. Qualified products are typically 10% to 30% more efficient than the minimum government standards, and some have efficiencies that are even much higher. Each product has its own standards for receiving the label, which has come to represent high quality and low-cost operation.
The label has become one of the most successful programs of its kind in marketing history. Surveys show that it is recognized by more than 40% of U.S. households as a symbol that distinguishes top energy performance. The EPA claims that through this program Americans have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 38 million metric tons of carbon equivalent, which is the same as taking more than 25 million cars off the nation's roads.
The program represents an effective use of government funding, both at the federal and state levels. For every federal dollar spent on ENERGY STAR, the program achieves $60 in energy savings. States involved in the program report they achieve large savings compared against their investments in the program because they can take advantage of national marketing campaigns and combine forces with local partners.
The savings potential for businesses and consumers is surprisingly large, according to the EPA and DOE. Commercial organizations could save more than $25 billion a year by purchasing new office equipment, remodeling, or improving the efficiency of their existing buildings.
For consumers, use of the label also offers cash savings. Most people don't realize that the typical household spends $1,300 a year on energy bills at home. With ENERGY STAR, consumers can save up to 30% of their energy bills, or about $400 per year.
For more complete information see the online summary titled What is ENERGY STAR?
How Did ENERGY STAR Get Started?
ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program designed to encourage manufacturers to produce energy efficient products and to help consumers identify them. The EPA began the program in 1992 by labeling computers. From there, it grew product by product, today boasting thousands of individual brands carrying the label. See the online list of ENERGY STAR products.
The program surpassed a critical milestone in 1996 when the EPA teamed up with DOE to cosponsor the program. DOE expanded it to include appliances, windows, doors, skylights, and compact fluorescent lights. Today DOE works with manufacturers, states, utilities, and standards organizations to develop technical requirements for qualifying. For its part, the EPA provides marketing and customer support. This involvement by federal agencies means that consumers and businesses get unbiased information about energy performance and ratings they can trust.
Responding to this two-pronged approach, a number of manufacturers have redesigned their products to achieve astonishing energy and water savings over the last few years. For example, clothes washers with the ENERGY STAR label use 50% less energy and 35% to 50% less water per load than do conventional washers currently on the market.
For more complete information about the program's development, see the chart summarizing ENERGY STAR history and milestones.
Who Are ENERGY STAR Partners?
Today, the ENERGY STAR label affects millions of consumer purchases and has attracted almost 10,000 public and private partners. These are voluntary partnerships based on a desire by both consumers and businesses to save energy and money while protecting the environment.
As the program has grown over the years, the partnerships have become more varied, with corresponding levels of commitment. For manufacturers, the commitment has involved producing energy efficient appliances. Retailers commit to making ENERGY STAR qualified products available to consumers, while small businesses and civic organizations commit to reducing their own energy consumption.
When the label expanded to new homes beginning in 1995, energy service professionals who work on and certify such buildings began to join as partners. Commercial and institutional buildings—including grocery stores, restaurants, schools, and hospitals—can also qualify for ENERGY STAR labeling and recognition. And beginning in 1998 when the New York Energy Research and Development Authority signed on, states and nonprofit organizations began to join to promote the label through consumer awareness initiatives.
These groups that promote the label are known today as Utility and Regional Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors (REPS). They are eligible for awards and to participate in national promotions.
Partnership Benefits for State Energy Offices
The role of state partnerships has gradually evolved over time to accommodate the varying needs of state energy offices, and the process for joining has been streamlined. States with broad goals for improving energy efficiency can take advantage of analyses and program development resources that are provided by their ENERGY STAR account representatives to help them target their programs more effectively. They therefore don't have to spend precious program resources on projects such as extensive market evaluations. On the other hand, states with modest goals and small amounts of funding can participate at very little cost.
State energy offices can customize their ENERGY STAR activities to include them in their own commercial sector programs. This is where the account representatives are particularly useful in providing communications, technical documents, and marketing expertise to develop entire campaigns or simple value messages.
The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) has published several papers and fact sheets over the past two years about the many benefits of partnership with ENERGY STAR for state energy offices, including:
- The ENERGY STAR Partnership for State and Territory Energy Offices; 2 pp.; March 2003 (PDF 27 KB).
- State Building Program Partnerships — Facts About the Federal ENERGY STAR Program; 11 pp.; April 2002 (PDF 42 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.
Kentucky's first-year experience.
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Together with its newfound utility and industry ENERGY STAR partners, the Kentucky Division of Energy sponsored a large exhibit at the Kentucky State Fair in August 2002. |
Using DOE funding from the State Energy Program to support the ENERGY STAR partnership and teaming with newly joined local partners, Kentucky was able to effectively reach out to a large number of consumers in 2002.
How we joined and developed a plan for 2002
The Kentucky Division of Energy (KDOE) became an ENERGY STAR partner in September 2001. After submitting a partnership commitment form, we developed a program plan to guide our 2002 activities. Our ENERGY STAR account representative helped us with the plan by looking at our existing energy efficiency programs for consumers and institutions to see where we might gain leverage. NASEO has published our 2002 plan online as an example for other states (PDF 14 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.
KDOE's goal was to develop and support a broad-based partnership network in the state to coordinate opportunities to educate consumers about ENERGY STAR qualified products and building practices. To ensure continuity of the program, KDOE created a program manager position in January 2002 and included ENERGY STAR as an element in the State Energy Program plan for 2002.
In addition to reaching out to existing ENERGY STAR partners in the state, we identified and contacted a number of potential partners. These included retailers, appliance and lighting manufacturers, local government agencies, home industry professionals, and utilities. To get things rolling, we invited some of them to an informal partnership meeting in March 2002.
The purpose of the meeting was to gather information on existing ENERGY STAR partner activities, determine partner interest in leveraging resources, and identify issues and opportunities for outreach. Our ENERGY STAR account representative and representatives from the EPA, DOE, and the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance helped in coordinating and conducting this meeting. One important outcome was the development of an informal network of ENERGY STAR partners in Kentucky that was to set the stage for our first projects.
Partners and More Partners
In short order KDOE began to realize tremendous success from this program. Consumer awareness of the label and the benefits of energy efficiency increased substantially, and KDOE has created opportunities for other partners in the state to leverage marketing resources.
Two utilities—Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LGE) / Kentucky Utilities and East Kentucky Power Cooperative—played a particularly important role in 2002 when they each joined as REPS partners. The combined customer base for these two utilities represents over 50% of Kentucky's population. These customers are now exposed regularly to ENERGY STAR information from utility Web sites, newsletters, and bill stuffers.
Kentucky Outreach Gears into Overdrive
Two projects during 2002 demonstrate the effectiveness of combining federal, state and local government, and commercial-sector resources through ENERGY STAR. The first was a 1,500-square-foot exhibit at the 2002 Kentucky State Fair, an 11-day event that annually attracts more than 650,000 people. The exhibit focused on ENERGY STAR qualified products and building practices and showcased the support of participating partners.
The State Fair proved to be a unifying force for ENERGY STAR partners in Kentucky. KDOE provided funding for the pavilion space and for constructing the exhibit. By leveraging state funds with that of DOE's State Energy Program and a grant from the Atlanta Regional Office, KDOE was able to produce a high-quality exhibit with limited resources. The private-sector partners, which included a dozen large companies and organizations, contributed time, print materials, products, and staff time at the fair.
The second project was distribution of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) during EENERGY STAR's national Change-A-Light, Change-the-World campaign in October 2002. This project involved a regional partnership with the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Westinghouse, and Ace Hardware. Participating hardware stores offered two-packs of Westinghouse 15-watt mini-spiral CFLs for $0.99 (after a $6 instant rebate). With financial support from KDOE, 10,000 CFLs were offered for sale in Kentucky at the discount price.
This promotion involved several states in our region. As a result, we were all able to take advantage of each other's marketing efforts. By leveraging our resources in this way, regional activities increase the exposure of the ENERGY STAR label to consumers and benefit all program participants.
What's Next for 2003?
This year, Kentucky will reach out to large companies and institutions, and KDOE will introduce ENERGY STAR into its DOE-funded programs such as EnergySmart Schools.
On the national front, ENERGY STAR will coordinate a national campaign to encourage homeowners whose cooling equipment is more than 10 years old to exchange it for a more efficient model. It's the 2003 Energy Star Cool Change Campaign, and if you participate, ENERGY STAR will provide you with marketing materials and consumer education pieces to help you. The campaign includes central air conditioners, heat pumps, and programmable thermostats, among other products.
How do states sign up?
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During October 2002, Kentucky consumers could purchase compact fluorescent lights at a discount thanks to the Change-a-Light Campaign sponsored by Kentucky ENERGY STAR partners. |
It's easy for a state energy office to sign on as an ENERGY STAR partner. Once you contact ENERGY STAR, you will be assigned an account representative that will help guide you through the process and plan your partnership activities for the coming year.
Simple Process
- First you sign on with the partnership (see below). This involves filling out a two-page form indicating your contact information and area of interest and mailing it to D&R International, a contractor who supports the program.
You will be joining under "Utility and Regional Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors," or REPS. In addition to utilities, these groups include state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and regional groups that sponsor energy efficiency programs. ENERGY STAR provides REPS partners with significant program resources.
There are several types of partnerships with ENERGY STAR, each with its corresponding set of responsibilities and benefits for joining. - An ENERGY STAR program representative will work with you to discuss activities for your partnership. Together you will develop an ENERGY STAR plan.
If you are looking for ideas, NASEO publishes an outline of implementation plans that are negotiated between state energy offices and ENERGY STAR. These suggestions include activities such as general education, market outreach, and strategies to engage local businesses to improve their energy efficiency. See the outline.
If an example plan helps, NASEO publishes the 2002 partnership plan for Kentucky. See Kentucky Energy Star Partnership — Program Plan for 2002 Initiatives; 3 pp.; December 2001 (PDF 14 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.
Join Now!
Once you decide to join, you can choose one of several methods to become a partner.
- Print and fill out a commitment form indicating your office name, contact, and area of interest, then mail it to ENERGY STAR (PDF 21 KB).
Mail it to:ENERGY STAR Partnerships
D&R International
Suite 500
1300 Spring Street
Silver Spring, MD 20910 - Follow online instructions.
- Send us an email and we'll call you or send you the forms via email.
Questions?
Contact Caroline Hazard at D&R International, 301.588.9387.
State Energy Offices Bulletin
Stories submitted by state energy offices about their projects.
Arizona
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In November, Bullhead City, Arizona, was recognized by the governor for its energy efficiency improvements. Credit:Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office |
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Arizona City Realizes Benefits of Energy-Saving Investments
Bullhead City, Arizona, recently completed a major energy efficiency project that is projected to save the city more than $100,000 a year in energy costs and operation and maintenance expenses. In recognition of these improvements, the city received the 2002 Governor's Award for Energy Efficiency for Arizona Municipalities for populations between 10,000 and 70,000.
The project began in 1998 when Bullhead City was awarded a Municipal Energy Management Program (MEMP) grant for $58,000 from the Arizona Energy Office. The grant funded approximately half the cost of new thermostats for city buildings and the replacement of old roof-mounted, air-cooled chillers with ground-mounted, water-cooled chillers. After purchasing the chillers the city found other energy saving projects: a rehab of the mechanical system provides a 36 percent savings in energy costs; a lighting retrofit project reduces Bullhead City's energy consumption for lighting by 51 percent; and a traffic signal retrofit at 19 intersections reduces the energy consumed by traffic signals approximately 88 percent.
The total project cost was $1,229,248. The city contributed $1,171,248 to the project, with the state providing the original $58,000 matching grant. The city has been guaranteed annual energy savings of $86,021, and $29,642 per year in operation and maintenance savings, plus and an additional $18,000 per year in cost avoidance realized with the replacement of old equipment. The costs of all energy efficient measures will pay for themselves in savings in approximately 10 years.
Colorado
Colorado Energy Research Institute Receives Funding
Energy research and education just got a boost in Colorado, where the Colorado Energy Research Institute (CERI) is being re-established and funded by the Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC) and the Colorado School of Mines (CSM). The energy office will match CSM funding up to $225,000 per year for more than two years to reconstitute CERI, originally established in 1974.
CERI will promote research and educational activities through networking among all constituencies in the Colorado energy industries and universities. CERI's activities foster an understanding and exposure to weaknesses and opportunities in energy development in Colorado and the nation.
Colorado Replaces Inefficient Fridges
Low-income customers are replacing their old, inefficient refrigerators with energy-efficient models through Energy $aving Partners, a Colorado program administered by OEMC. The program's goal is to install approximately 1,400 replacement refrigerators in the homes of eligible customers, primarily single-family residences, over a 12-month period.
Eligible customers will be offered a new, white, 15-, 18-, or 22-cubic-foot non-CFC refrigerator, which is approximately 10% more energy efficient than the current federal standard. To qualify, customers must agree to have an Energy $aving Partners agency determine if it is cost effective to replace their refrigerator and agree to have their existing refrigerator permanently removed from their home. All removed refrigerators will be recycled.
Whirlpool Corporation was the successful bidder to provide, install and recycle the refrigerators. Energy $aving Partners also receives funds from U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Xcel Energy, and the Colorado Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
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A volunteer helps collect computer equipment for recycling and reuse in Fort Collins, Colorado. Credit: Office of Energy Management and Conservation |
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Computer Equipment Recycled and Reused
Responding to the national attention focused on disposal issues for outdated computers and electronics equipment, OEMC co-sponsored 15 statewide computer collection events in 2002. Approximately 1,000 households and 200 small businesses and local governments participated, and 357,216 pounds of unwanted computer equipment were collected for recycling and reuse.
OEMC helped establish vendor relationships between vendors and local communities. Each community organized their event differently, using a variety of volunteer labor resources, partners and community outreach strategies. OEMC collected data about the events' participants, expenses involved in hosting an event, fees charged to participants, and factors that affected participation rates such as recycling awareness and community support.
OEMC Director Rick Grice said "We want to help Colorado citizens and businesses better understand the implications of a growing waste stream by examining market conditions, infrastructure needs and community interest."
Idaho
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Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne speaks with Senator Mike Crapo at a news conference on December 9th about improving air quality in Treasure Valley in southwestern Idaho through developing a strong biofuels economy. Credit: Linda Cawley, Idaho Energy Division |
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Idaho Tests Biodiesel
Using a grant from DOE, the Idaho Energy Division is developing public awareness of the benefits of biodiesel and facilitating its use in private- and public sector fleets of vehicles. During 2002, the Energy Division bought down the cost of B20—a mixture of 80% conventional diesel with 20% biodiesel—for public agencies. This cost is typically $0.14 to $0.19 a gallon in Idaho. That way, public sector organizations can participate within their budget requirements.
The Meridian School District located in Idaho's Treasure Valley near Boise began the experiment in April 2002 by running six school buses on B20. By year-end, several other agencies and school districts were participating that together consumed 47,500 gallons of B20 in the state.
The Meridian School District then received another federal grant to run all of its 200 school buses on B20 beginning in fall 2003. For more information, see an article by Dick Larsen on page five of the Energy Division's winter 2003 issue of Idaho Currents; 12 pp.; (PDF 440 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.
Illinois
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Local dignitaries, including a representative from the Illinois energy office, break ground in March 2003 at a new ethanol production facility. Credit: Lincolnland Agri-Energy, LLC |
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Illinois Breaks Ground for Ethanol Plant
Lincolnland Agri-Energy broke ground on March 1st on a 40-million gallon production ethanol facility in Palestine. Located in southeast Illinois, the facility will be the second ethanol facility in the state that is partially owned by a farmer cooperative. In this case, local farmers have invested $13.4 million in the project, which is estimated to cost $57 million to build.
Jack Lavin, the new director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) said, "This project illustrates the commitment that our farmers have to improving Illinois' rural economy while increasing our energy independence." Lavin said that DCEO provided a $25,000 business-planning grant to Lincolnland last year.
The facility is expected to boost the local economy by providing 38 full-time jobs, which, according to Lincolnland, will add up to a payroll of $1.5 million per year. In addition, the facility will boost annual revenues of local corn farmers by $3 - $5 million. For more information, see the DCEO press release.
Iowa
Ethanol Market Share Breaks Records
In December, ethanol-blends reached 61.7 percent of all taxable gasoline sold in Iowa; for the year, they represented 55 percent of total gas sold. These numbers mark the highest ethanol market shares ever for a single month and year in Iowa. The state's 10 ethanol plants have the capacity to produce 624 million gallons of ethanol per year, about 23 percent of the nation's ethanol production. Seven more plants are planned for construction in the next two years. "Iowans increasingly are choosing ethanol-blends at the pump," said Jennifer Moehlmann, energy data analyst at the DNR. "Ethanol production helps our economy grow while replacing imported fuels with locally grown resources."
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Web site is being redesigned. The redesign will be complete this fall. |
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Iowa DNR Unveils Web Site
If you visit the State Capitol Complex in Des Moines, you'll find a lot of construction-but not all of it makes use of bricks and backhoes. It's the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Web site that's getting the extensive facelift, to be completed this fall.
The redesign focuses on three objectives, one of which is to create a site that operates from the user's perspective. "Our goal here is that when users open our homepage, they get an immediate feeling that the page is asking, 'What can we do to serve you?'" said Bob Castelline, the site's designer. "That's a switch from a site that says, 'Here we are. Look at us.'"
A second objective is to create a site that maximizes ease of use while maintaining a strong visual image, all with a quick download. The homepage will feature two navigation areas. One is for users who are familiar with DNR structure. The other will feature easy-to-follow links that will guide users who might not know what the DNR has to offer.
The final objective is to create a Web site that has consistency in form and function throughout. With three divisions, 15 bureaus and more than 2,000 pages containing roughly 2 gigabytes of information, this is no simple task.
Kentucky
Kentucky Schools Going Solar
Using educational photovoltaic systems and computer software, students will track their schools' energy demand and energy supplied by the solar panels. Ten K-12 schools in the state will participate in the "Kentucky Schools Going Solar" program. 'With this Going Solar program, we're able to combine solar technology with computer technology into an educational tool that will teach students about energy production and wise energy use," said American Electric Power (AEP) Kentucky Environmental Affairs Manager Tim Mallan. Similar systems have been shown not only to help teach students about energy resources, but also to enhance math and science comprehension among students.
Teachers will receive training to help students connect the solar panels to their own learning in the classroom. The materials and training meet the Kentucky Program of Studies goals while helping teach about energy in a creative and interesting way. The hands-on solar energy units—developed with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council—make learning about solar electricity applicable to classroom experiences. The program is sponsored by the Kentucky Division of Energy, AEP, the state affiliate of the National Energy Education Development Project (Kentucky NEED), and The Foundation for Environmental Education.
Louisiana
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Krewe Orpheus rolls along the streets of New Orleans on Fat Tuesday 2003. |
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Louisiana Mardi Gras Floats on Biodiesel
Mardi Gras revelers in New Orleans want to have fun. You would hardly imagine anyone worrying about making the festivities cleaner. But this year, parade-goers breathed less air pollution because some of the parade floats were powered by biodiesel.
Peter Cremer, North America, Proctor & Gamble Chemicals, and the Greater New Orleans Clean Cities Coalition provided approximately 1,400 gallons of biodiesel for the carnival floats. The Clean Cities coalition is a partner of the Louisiana Energy Office located in the state's Department of Natural Resources. The company will donate any leftover fuel to a school district or local transit authority to further promote clean transportation fuels in the state. For details, see the National Biodiesel Board's February 28th press release.
Minnesota
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A geothermal heat exchanger will cool polar bear pools at the Lake Superior Zoo. Credit:Minnesota Department of Commerce |
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Minnesota Zoo to Install Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficient Technologies
Minnesota State Energy Office's Rebuild Minnesota program is making a splash by partnering with the City of Duluth and Minnesota Power to showcase a number of renewable and energy-saving technologies at the Lake Superior Zoo. The $308,000 project, funded through Minnesota Power's energy Conservation Improvement Program, will add solar hot water heating to the animal barn, build a photovoltaic fueling station for the zoo's electric vehicle, and install a geothermal heat exchanger to cool the polar bear and seal pools. Zoo officials expect the energy technologies to be installed this summer.
"This project will deliver more than energy savings," said Victoria Rico, Rebuild Minnesota Coordinator. "It also includes education components such as onsite exhibits and real time Web-based information for each technology that is employed."
Missouri
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The ENERGY STAR Building Label was presented in February to owners of a building that houses several Missouri Department of Natural Resources offices. Credit: Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
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Missouri State Facility Earns ENERGY STAR® Label
The Missouri Energy Center led an effort to obtain an ENERGY STAR label for the state-leased building that houses several Department of Natural Resources offices, including the Energy Center. The building, located in Jefferson City, is the first state government office building to receive the ENERGY STAR rating.
The label is an indication that the building is one of the more energy-efficient buildings in the country. The efficiency score of 89 indicates the building is in the top 11% of similar buildings in its climate zone in terms of energy performance. Moreover, the label serves to ensure that indoor air pollutants are controlled, ventilation requirements are being met, building thermal conditions are within standards and adequate lighting is provided. Building energy costs are approximately $0.74 cents per square foot. The project's success is attributed to a public/private partnership between the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Administration's Division of Facilities Management and the building owners.
Montana
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This 1995 Dodge pickup with a Cummins B diesel engine operates normally on biodiesel, even in very cold weather. Credit:Montana Department of Environmental Quality |
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Montana Biodiesel Truck in Yellowstone
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) completed a demonstration of biodiesel fuel in Yellowstone National Park in December 2002. The project addresses the problem of air pollution caused by millions of tourists who visit the park every year. Biodiesel is produced in Montana from rapeseed oil (ethyl esters) or potato residues generated by the food processing industry.
The project documents performance and emissions reductions using EPA protocols from operating a conventional diesel engine on 100% biodiesel. The truck operated normally for 121,000 miles and started well in cold weather. In fact, the only time it failed to start during the experiment was when the temperature was
-37 �F on a day when many other vehicles also failed to start. Among other findings, the sweet odor of the exhaust did not attract bears, which was a concern for park rangers at the beginning of the experiment. For a summary of results and links to DEQ reports.
New York
New York Introduces Energy Audit Program for Small Businesses
Small businesses in New York are benefiting from low-cost energy audits, thanks to the New York Energy SmartSM Energy Audit Program. The program, introduced by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, helps businesses identify and implement economically viable energy improvements.
The program targets commercial and industrial facilities, state and local governments, not-for-profit and private institutions. Facilities must have less than $100,000 in annual electric bills to be eligible. Through the audit, customers receive expertise on how to cut energy costs and improve energy efficiency. Audits are provided at a cost of $200, $400, or $600, based on annual electric bills. The fee is refunded if the customer implements one or more recommended energy measures costing as much as or more than the fee. Follow-up assistance is included in the cost of the audit to encourage customers to act on the audit recommendations.
New York Energy SmartSM financial incentive programs are available to offset the cost of facility improvements. The Loan Fund Program offers interest rate reductions of up to 4.5 percent below market rate for financing eligible cost-saving, energy efficiency measures and renewable energy projects through participating lenders. The Smart Equipment Choices Program offers cash incentives for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient measures and equipment that reduce electricity consumption.
North Carolina
North Carolina Utility Savings Initiative Saves $670,000
The North Carolina Energy Office reported in December 2002 savings of $670,000 from the of the state's utility savings initiative. North Carolina Governor Mike Easley directed the State Energy Office to make the initiative a high priority in July 2002. Subsequently, the energy office set a goal of save $7 million in utility bills across all state agencies in 2002 - 2003. For details, see the governor's July 5th press release.
These first set of savings come from reviewing agency utility bills for correct rate and billings. Other measures put in place that will lead to savings for state agencies include putting operation and maintenance measures into place at more than 12,000 state facilities, facilitating energy performance contracting, training technical staff and building occupants on savings energy, and establishing electronic billings.
In 2002, the North Carolina State Legislature granted the state the right to engage in performance contracting beginning January 2003. Currently the State Energy Office is drafting rules for agencies to identify eligible contractors and make agreements.
Northern Mariana Islands
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GTC Energy Patrollers line up for photo after signing their pledge of responsibility to monitor excessive use of power and water at their school. Credit: Edith G. Alejandro; Saipan Tribune |
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Northern Marianas Islands Students Patrol for Energy Efficiency
Elementary students are on the prowl in the Northern Marianas Islands, searching for energy and water conservation. It's part of a new program to educate youngsters and their families about the virtues of conservation and to reduce energy consumption in public schools in the Commonwealth.
Northern Marianas Islands Governor Juan N. Babauta appointed six elementary students at the Gregorio T. Camacho (GTC) Elementary School in Saipan as GTC Energy Patrol members in a ceremony on February 18th. Said Gov. Babauta at the ceremony, "Energy touches every corner of our lives and homes, and conservation means saving money for other things that the school will need." The young energy patrollers are responsible for recording uneconomical use of water and electricity during working hours. They also list responses in the classrooms to the call to conserve.
The program is modeled after a similar energy and water conservation program in Arizona and other states. According to Commonwealth Energy Division Director Thelma B. Inos, the program will soon be expanded to all public schools in the Northern Marianas Islands. Inos says she hopes to reduce energy bills at public schools on the islands by 10% using classroom-to-classroom meter reading to determine the energy cost in each classroom. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Program (SEP). It is administered through several Commonwealth departments, including the public school system and the energy division.
Tennessee
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Award-winning bookmarks illustrate the theme "Do Your Part... Be Energy Smart" for Energy Awareness Month. Credit:Tennessee Energy Education Network |
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Tennessee Contest Teaches Students about Energy Efficiency
The Tennessee Energy Education Network (TEEN) recently announced winners in their annual Bookmark Contest sponsored during Energy Awareness Month. More than 2,000 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students statewide participated in the competition. Students designed a bookmark illustrating this year's contest theme, "Do Your Part... Be Energy Smart" and wrote a brief essay of 50-100 words expanding on the theme and how it was depicted in their bookmark. Each bookmark design was judged on its creativity, originality, appropriateness to the theme, and the accompanying essay. Winners received U.S. Savings Bonds and certificates of recognition. View the winning entries.
TEEN is a program of the Energy Division in the Department of Economic and Community Development. Working with schools and community organizations, TEEN conducts teacher in-service training workshops, classroom presentations, energy education training conferences and provides free teaching materials to Tennessee teachers for their classroom.
Utah
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Utah State University tour guide tastes the arbor wood in USU's "House of the Future." The wood is saturated with salt from having been submerged in the Great Salt Lake and is harder than normal wood. Credit: Michael Brandy, Deseret News |
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Utah Builds House of the Future
Utah State University (USU) dedicated its Utah House on February 4th at its Botanical Gardens Center in Kaysville. The house is a demonstration of energy efficiency and solar energy use that will be available for public tours and classes. The house uses 50% less electricity and 40% less water than a normal house its size and has earned the ENERGY STAR label from DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Homes.
The USU demonstration house was partially funded by the Utah Energy Office using Petroleum Violation Escrow and State Energy Program (SEP) funds. The Utah House features natural lighting with smart sensors for reducing artificial lights, natural cooling, and photovoltaic panels on the roof that generate part of the facility's electricity on site. It is the first solar house in Kaysville to connect to the grid and one of the first in Utah to do so.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin College's EcoVillage Provides Renewable Energy Model
A new project at Wisconsin's Nicolet Area Technical College will feature a photovoltaic (PV) system, wind turbine, and an energy-efficient home as demonstration projects for district high schools, area businesses and interested residents. The college will use the EcoVillage to teach sustainable building practices as well as the installation and maintenance of renewable energy systems.
The 10-kilowatt wind turbine, just installed, was funded through an $80,000 grant from Wisconsin's Focus on Energy Renewable Energy program, a public-private partnership that provides energy efficiency and renewable energy information and services to the state's energy utility customers. The turbine and PV system will generate electricity for the college and reduce energy costs. Both systems will be connected to the Wisconsin Public Service Corp. power grid. When more electricity is generated than is needed at the site, the excess will be sold to the utility.
The school will conduct seminars on the construction and installation of PV panels and wind turbines. Data collection systems will track wind speed and solar radiation at the site, as well as monitor the amount of electricity actually generated. Data will be available to Nicolet students and others through the school's Web site.
State Energy Information
New state Web sites and publications, and DOE pubs dealing with energy efficiency and renewable energy in the states.
Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards
DOE sets minimum efficiency standards for home appliances and commercial equipment, saving the country millions of energy dollars each year. The department publishes meeting notices, proposed rulemakings, and final standards, and encourages stakeholder involvement in the standards process
Top Ten Utility Green Pricing Programs
Using year-end 2002 data provided by utilities and marketers, NREL estimates that 980 MW of renewable energy projects have been installed to serve green power markets nationwide and more than 430 MW are planned, according to its annual report released February 28. Wind power is the largest supplier to the green power market by far, amounting to 93% of the installed capacity serving green markets and 70% of the planned installations. For green power projects, the 2002 installed capacity base amounts to a 50% increase over 2001
Tips for Purchasing an Energy Efficient Home — Including Kansas Energy Efficiency Disclosure Requirements
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The Kansas Corporation Commission publishes this brochure prepared by Kansas State University about how to use home energy ratings; 6 pp.; October, 2002.
State Energy Web Sites
Balancing the Budget — 101 Ways for Cutting Costs and Maximizing Revenues
The Texas Comptroller publishes this online guide for school districts to save money in these penny-pinching times. Featured among these methods is reducing energy expenditures; 25 pp.
Consumer Energy Center:Transportation
The California Energy Commission (CEC) publishes this Web site for consumers about transportation choices, including use of renewable fuels. "CEC supports the use of vehicles and fuels that can reduce California's dependence on petroleum," said the commission
Crop of the Future
Iowa's Waverly Light and Power, a municipal utility located about 150 miles northeast of Des Moines, has produced an 8.5 minute promotional video on wind energy. Waverly became the first municipal utility west of the Mississippi to install a wind turbine in 1993, and currently operates three wind turbines with a combined rated capacity of 2.4 megawatts (MW). The turbines provide five percent of the energy needs of the city. The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) makes copies of this video available upon request; contact NREL's Kathy O'Dell
Energy Quest
The California Energy Commission publishes this Web site dealing with energy issues for students, parents, and teachers
Virtual Case Study—Thrivenet National Bank
Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program publishes an interactive case study of Thrivent Financial Bank's new state-of-the-art and energy efficient facility. Located in Appleton, this two-story open-concept building features daylighting and high efficiency HVAC systems and air handlers
Wisconsin Wind Map
The Wisconsin Division of Energy publishes this online map of wind resources in the state