November-December 2003

Conservation Update

Feature Article

Burlington, Vermont Forms Alliance to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

by Debra Sachs, director, 10% Challenge

Momentum is building for Vermont's 10% Challenge. The Alliance for Climate Action (ACA) initiated the program in April 2002 to encourage individuals, households, and businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to educate communities in and around Vermont on the threat of global climate change to the environment and the economy. The program's goal is to reduce greenhouse gases by 10% below 1997 emissions levels by 2010.

At the 2003 March town meeting, 81 Vermont communities passed resolutions to promote the use of renewable energy and encourage public leaders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their areas. In addition, several other Vermont communities are engaged in, or exploring, a climate action planning process modeled after Burlington's, and are promoting the 10% Challenge Program. To date, 245 households (56 of which reside outside Vermont), and 60 businesses (most of which reside in Burlington) have joined the campaign. Communities around New England and New York have also expressed an interest in implementing 10% Challenge.

ACA is made up of representatives of government and nonprofit organizations that affect the production and mitigation of greenhouse gases. The alliance selected the 10% Challenge, which was one of five strategies contained in the Burlington Climate Action Plan, as its top priority. The plan calls for task force members and key community leaders to "support implementation of the plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by ten percent as adopted by the Burlington City Council in May 2000, and to monitor its progress. The alliance commits to work with regional and statewide entities that can help to achieve this aim, and will support the expansion of this effort beyond the City of Burlington throughout the state of Vermont."

Vermont's Department of Public Service and the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Program helped fund ACA's efforts. The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) provided assistance and an intern to help develop the plan.

A potential impact of climate change is an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Given the strong relationship between Vermont's climate and economy, community leaders are concerned about any persistent climate changes that could have negative economic consequences such as:

Impact of warmer, wetter winters, reduced snow pack, and shorter ski and foliage seasons on tourism, which is a $4.2 billion per year industry.
Increased strain on storm water management systems caused by precipitation increases of 5%-25%.
Impact on Vermont maple syrup, which is a $226 million per year industry.
Impact on fishing and hunting, which is a $383 million per year industry.

Therefore, the following greenhouse gas reducing strategies from the Burlington Climate Action Plan aim to achieve the city's goal:

	Strategies	Annual Savings Goals for 2010	Total (tons CO₂)
1	Implement action plans for municipal buildings and operations.	Energy efficiency: 4,000 tons; Solid waste: 2,000 tons.	6,000
2	Support implementation of planned (2000-2005) efficiency programs.	Residential efficiency: 6,000 tons; Commercial and industrial: 14,000 tons.	20,000
3	Develop and lead a public education campaign. Demonstrate civic commitment to climate protection activities. Implement a 10% Challenge to support the capture of retrofit efficiency potential.	Transportation: 20,000 tons; Buildings: 50,000 tons.	70,000
4	Support biomass-fueled community energy plans and other alternative fuel supply options.	35,000 tons for first phase of project; 50,000 tons at full build-out.	35,000
5	Implement transportation demand management projects and support climate friendly transportation policy at the local, state, and federal levels.	Demand projects: 9,000-15,000 tons; Transportation policies: 10,000 tons.	25,000
			156,000

Challenges and Opportunities

Photos of local businesses that have accepted the 10% Challenge

Local Businesses accepting the 10% Challenge include Gregory's Supply, a local building supply and hardware store, Burton Snowboards, and Rhino Foods, which makes cookie dough for Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. Credit: 10% Challenge

Barriers to achieving the Climate Action Plan goals were the lack of public awareness and lack of resources within any single organization to properly staff and implement a public education and marketing outreach campaign.

So, key to the success of the Climate Action Plan was the 10% Challenge — an outreach campaign to encourage the voluntary participation of individuals, households, and businesses to increase energy efficiency and reduce waste in Burlington, Vermont, and eventually throughout the Northeast.

The alliance recognized that no single entity has climate protection as its sole mission, and that a matrix of diverse organizations can develop a greater reach than any one entity. This structure provides marketing mileage and value-added activities — each volunteer advisory board member can use the public education campaign message within his or her organization.

The Campaign

Photo of a scene from a road show musical titled 'Beat the Heat'.

Public events featured Monty and travel agent in a musical road show titled 'Beat the Heat.' Credit: 10% Challenge, Alliance for Climate Action

The challenges of raising public awareness were overcome by developing a multilayered marketing approach that includes resources, collateral materials, and interactive tools:

Logo and brand image
Web site
Residential and business emissions calculators
Tip cards
Radio public service announcements
Public access television call-in shows
Press conferences
Numerous public presentations
Newsletters
Special stories on radio, television, and in newspapers
Paid advertising campaign

Photo of the mascot Climo-Dino(saur) at a press conference.

10% Challenge's marketing and outreach included a press conference featuring Climo-Dino(saur). Credit: 10% Challenge, Alliance for Climate Action

In 2000, the alliance set forth a work program to give the public education campaign an identity. The 10% Challenge was kicked off in April 2002. Examples of "marketing mileage" are seen throughout the community via bill stuffers from the Burlington Electric Department, signs on the sides of buses through the Chittenden County Transportation Authority, tray liners in the area McDonalds franchises, recognition posters in area establishments and throughout the central business district, individual and class projects at the University of Vermont, and a traveling musical road show.

The show is one of the most unusual creations of the 10% Challenge, and captures the imaginations of young and old. It features a mascot called Climo-Dino(saur), Extinction Consultant, which was created by Vermont's Underground Railway Theater, an alliance partner. Climo-Dino helps raise awareness about climate change and Vermont's 10% Challenge. The charming dinosaur brings a lighthearted view to a very serious and controversial problem. This popular musical has been shown six times, most recently at the May 2003 ICLEI national conference.

Another marketing outreach activity, McDonald's tray liners, has reached thousands of people. The liners feature educational projects and games about energy efficiency and climate change. The alliance also uses overview presentations, award presentations, trade shows, and community events to get the word out.

The alliance has received broad support from local businesses, including Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, Burton Snow Boards, and other small businesses. Ben and Jerry's scooped "One Sweet Whirled" at the kickoff event in April 2000, and offers "Free Scoop" coupons to new 10% Challenge household participants in Vermont. New 10% Challenge businesses and business associations are announced at special events, which have resulted in good media coverage for the program and participating businesses.

The alliance developed the 10% Challenge Web site, which went live April 15, 2002. The site is packed with information, including a unique household and business carbon dioxide emissions calculator, resource and assistance links, and an application for households and businesses to join the program.

Looking to the Future

Photo fo a 10% challenge sign on a regional transit bus.

A regional transit bus features an advertisement for 10% Challenge. Credit: 10% Challenge, Alliance for Climate Action

The 10% Challenge campaign has seen encouraging results. In addition to the many households and businesses in several communities that have joined the campaign, ACA has also helped form the New England Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) network and is actively involved in framing a scope of work to be advanced on behalf of CCP by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and Clean Air-Cool Planet. The top priority is to develop a regional public education campaign and a training program for municipal staff.

Vermont leaders are excited to see that a grass-roots idea can be advanced by a group of professionals who represent local, state, and regional entities. ACA is committed to nurture the behavioral changes necessary to accomplish the challenge and to begin achieving its 10% Challenge goals. As Ruth Page, a commentator on Vermont Public Radio, said on June 4, "The Greater Burlington community is proving that when utilities and industry cooperate to save money for the industry, they can simultaneously reduce CO₂ emissions. A better bottom line and cleaner air move in lockstep."

For more information, visit 10% Challenge online, or contact us at:

Debra Sachs
Director, 10% Challenge
585 Pine Street
Burlington, VT 05401
Telephone: 802-865-7330
E-mail: dsachs@10percentchallenge.org

Abby Young
Director, U.S. Cities for Climate Protection
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)
15 Shattuck Square, Suite 215
Berkeley, CA 94704
Telephone: 510-540-8843, ext. 374
E-mail: ayoung@iclei.org

State Energy Offices Bulletin

Stories submitted by state energy offices about their projects.

California

California Green Power Could Increase Tenfold, According to Report

With all the new solar power installations cropping up in California, the California Energy Commission (CEC) sees a great potential to boost the state's use of renewable energy. According to a report adopted by the CEC on December 1, although California currently draws on renewable energy for 11% of its electricity, the state could produce about 10 times more electricity from renewable energy than it does today. The document was submitted to the California legislature in support of the state's new Renewable Portfolio Standard, which requires that 20% of the state's retail electricity sales come from renewable energy sources.

The CEC also approved its 2003 Integrated Energy Policy Report on November 12. The report calls for more stringent energy efficiency targets, an accelerated timeframe for the Renewable Portfolio Standard, more ambitious renewable energy goals, and efforts to encourage statewide cogeneration and distributed generation. In addition, the report recommends establishing a goal of reducing petroleum consumption for transportation by 15% from current levels by 2020. See the November 24 CEC press release at: www.energy.ca.gov/releases/.

Colorado

	The Coolerado Cooler cooled off classrooms at Mount Saint Vincent School in Denver. Credit: OEMC

Colorado Energy Office Demonstrates New Cooling System Technology

During Energy Awareness Month in October, the Colorado Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC) partnered with Idalex to demonstrate a cooling system method, the Coolerado Cooler, at Mount Saint Vincent School in northwest Denver. The system uses significantly less energy than traditional air conditioners or evaporative coolers, and uses no chemical refrigerants.

Mount Saint Vincent School is a historic building that lacks central air conditioning. The students and teachers on the third floor can experience very warm temperatures. The demonstration unit cooled two classrooms and one computer laboratory on that floor.

The system is in the building's attic and works by rejecting heat from one location where it is not wanted and transfers it to another, just like refrigeration. Fresh outside air enters a series of heat exchangers that reject the heat and provide cold dry air to the rooms. The heat exchangers consist of special cellulose and a blended fiber paper that is coated on one side with plastic. A fan to move the air is the only item that draws power.

"Currently the school uses window air conditioner units to combat the heat. These use an enormous amount of energy and provide inadequate cooling," said Coolerado president Rick Gillan. "The system is able to cool the rooms to a desirable temperature of 74�F. The system is quieter than window air conditioners or room evaporative coolers. Also, this system does not add any humidity to the rooms."

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, tested the cooler system, which demonstrated significant energy savings compared to traditional air conditioning and evaporative cooling systems. Coolerado is monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of this system. Prior testing has shown this cooling system uses 75% less power than a traditional air conditioning unit.

Colorado Governor Signs Order to Support Performance Contracting

Across Colorado, state governments, counties, towns, and school districts face smaller budgets, rising operating costs, and demands for improved facilities. A budget squeeze is forcing many to find new ways to reduce operating costs and upgrade aging, inefficient equipment. In support of performance contracting, Colorado Governor Bill Owens signed an Executive Order, "Energy Performance Contracting to Improve State Facilities," in July 2003. Read the Executive Order (PDF 77 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.

Performance contracting allows state governments to invest in energy-saving equipment by using future utility cost savings, or avoided costs, to pay for the improvements. A lease-purchase agreement is paid through annually guaranteed cost savings that are realized in utility and operating budgets.

Most performance contracting projects include water and energy efficiency improvements in the upgrade plans. For example, a university housing project is considering cost improvements to handle food waste through composting.

These projects are likely to use the full 12 years permitted under state law. About a dozen energy service contractors compete for performance contracts in Colorado, giving the state and local governments a healthy competitive marketplace.

Colorado School District Gets a Cool Start

Mapleton School District students and teachers returning to school in August benefited from energy upgrades and classrooms cooled by air conditioning. Fortunately, the energy upgrades did not break the bank because the district used energy performance contracting to pay for upgrades.

The district made improvements in nearly every school by combining some of its annual capital funds and dollars that would otherwise go to high utility bills, for a total investment of $4.7 million. Efficiency improvements included lighting system upgrades, energy management controls, and water conservation measures. In addition, the district used the project to address other pressing concerns, including asbestos abatement, installation of power for additional computers, and air conditioning.

Performance contracting is gaining momentum in Colorado, since it provides a low- or no-cost way to make capital improvements. Rebuild Colorado has been particularly instrumental in paving the way, but so has support from political leaders. In late 1999, Governor Owens recognized the state facilities that pioneered the use of performance contracting in the state and said, "I view energy performance contracting as a smart way to improve building efficiency and a wise way to reduce taxpayer costs to operate these facilities."

	A newly constructed pilot wetland at the Coors Brewery in Golden, Colorado, will test the effectiveness of treating wastewater. Credit: OEMC

Colorado and Coors Brewing Company Announce Constructed Test Wetland

The Colorado Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC), the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Coors Brewing Company announced in September the completion of a constructed test wetland at the Coors Brewery in Golden.

Constructed wetlands, which have long been recognized for their cleansing abilities, provide an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient method of treating wastewater. The pilot wetland will test the effectiveness of wetlands as tertiary treatment facilities and offer a wildlife habitat and educational opportunity to the public. The project was designed and implemented in conjunction with DNR wildlife biologists based on a plan initiated and approved by DNR.

"More than 90% of Colorado's native species occupy wetlands for at least part of their lives," said Greg Walcher, executive director of DNR. "Efforts by Coors to improve wetlands and our basic understanding of these critical habitats will not only benefit wildlife, but will also provide another window into what we love most about Colorado for our citizens and for visitors."

The design incorporates energy savings and efficiency, water treatment test cells, wildlife habitat, and a public viewing area. Continuous monitoring of key water quality indicators will provide evaluations of wetland performance for removal of nutrients, sediment, and other parameters.

Construction of the wetland began in June 2003, and was completed in late August. The wetland is open to public viewing from a public bike path. The public viewing area includes informational displays that explain the purpose of wetlands, including benefits to the public, wildlife, and water quality.

Coors will submit a comprehensive technical analysis of the wetland in a report to OEMC and DNR at the conclusion of the study in 2005.

Florida

Florida Hybrid Car Rally Highlights Energy Awareness

Florida is tackling obstacles to promote fuel-efficient vehicles and reduce energy consumption. Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David B. Struhs in October challenged Department of Community Affairs Secretary Colleen Castille and Department of Management Services Secretary Bill Simon to a hybrid car race that highlights the state's commitment to energy efficiency. Florida's agency heads navigated an obstacle course in eco-friendly hybrid vehicles as part of Energy Awareness Month.

"Florida's economy and quality of life depend on a clean and healthy environment," said Secretary Struhs. "Using hybrid vehicles, with near zero emissions, protects Florida's air, reduces reliance on gasoline, and saves taxpayer dollars."

The State of Florida currently owns more than 900 alternative fuel vehicles, which shape the market for this and other clean air technologies. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection now owns 37 fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles, 13% of its car fleet. Selecting hybrid vehicles for the state vehicle fleet reinforces Florida's commitment to clean air and environmental protection.

Hawaii

	A Hawaii brochure won Best of Show at a U.S. Department of Energy workshop this summer. Credit: Hawaii DBEDT

Hawaii Homeowner's Guide Is Best of Show

The "Hawaii Homeowner's Guide to Energy, Comfort and Value," a brochure published by the State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's Strategic Industries Division, was acknowledged as Best of Show during the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Workshop on State Building Energy Codes held in Atlanta this summer. The brochure provides helpful hints for residents, following the techniques developed by the Hawaii BuiltGreen program.

Hawaii Wind Resource Maps on the Internet

Hawaii has published high-resolution wind resource maps online Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. The maps, which are pending validation by local meteorologists and by DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), illustrate wind speeds and power densities at various heights. They have a grid resolution of 200 meters and provide wind speeds at 30, 50, 70, and 100 meters as well as wind power densities at 50 meters. The maps include basic overlays of significant features such as cities, parks, roads, and power lines. NREL; Hawaiian Electric Company; Maui Electric Company; and the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism provided funding for the maps' development. Maps for Kauai and the island of Hawaii are forthcoming.

Hawaii's Educational Facilities Are Large Energy Consumers

The State of Hawaii has completed a key assessment that provides essential information on current energy consumption and the potential for savings in state buildings. The assessment, titled "State Facility Energy Upgrade Analysis and Performance Contracting Potential, Phase I," found that the total electrical consumption for all State of Hawaii facilities is more than 688 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, at an annual cost of $83.6 million.

Not surprisingly, nearly 80% of the total state facility energy consumption is on the populous island of Oahu. The study also found that state educational facilities are the largest consumers of electricity, using nearly 46% of the statewide total. The University of Hawaii-Manoa campus uses 22%; the public school system accounts for approximately 19%; and 5% is consumed by community colleges.

The analysis also examined energy conservation measures that have already been implemented. Current efficiency incentives and programs have been very effective: 22 of the 108 facilities studied had already achieved energy savings of 10%-25% through utility demand-side management programs.

Based on the study, five state facilities will be audited in detail. Data from these audits will be extrapolated to determine the potential for various energy efficiency measures in state facilities and published in a Phase-II report. The study was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the State Energy Program Buildings Energy Efficiency and Rebuild Hawaii programs.

Idaho

Idaho Habitat for Humanity Home Qualifies for ENERGY STAR®

Idaho has built its first ENERGY STAR-qualified Habitat for Humanity home. The house has increased insulation and double pane windows, and is carefully sealed to prevent drafts. An advanced ventilation system will recover heat to provide warm, fresh air throughout the house.

An ENERGY STAR home uses at least 30% less energy than a home built to Model Energy Code standards. The ENERGY STAR lights will use as much as 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and will last nine times longer. The ENERGY STAR refrigerator will use as much as 40% less energy than a standard refrigerator purchased in 2001.

Kentucky

	Kentucky produces the largest amount of timber products east of the Mississippi. Credit: Kentucky Division of Energy

Fuel Pellets from Mining and Sawmill Wastes Being Tested in Kentucky

The Kentucky Division of Energy has facilitated a biomass project involving mining and sawmill wastes through the University of Kentucky's Department of Mining Engineering and its Center for Applied Energy Research. Mining and timber rank near the top in Kentucky's industry production, and both produce considerable amounts of waste products that can be turned to energy. Nearly 3 million tons of high-quality fine coal particles and more than 15 million cubic feet of sawdust are lost annually. Researchers are testing a wide variety of possible binders, including asphalt, tall-oil pitch, paper sludge, and coal tar, to keep the coal fines and sawdust glued together into pellets.

Kentucky Charrette Looks at High-Performance Public Housing

The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District is coordinating a project to design a high-performance six-unit apartment building that will be replicated 18 times in Louisville's Clarksdale Hope VI project. The Southface Energy Institute in Atlanta helped the project's charrette team, which includes the architect, Sherman-Carter-Barnhart; the mechanical contractors, CMTA, Inc.; the developers, the Louisville Metro Housing Authority; and the Kentucky Division of Energy.

	A computer model will now predict when cracks are likely to form in large aluminum ingots as they cool. Credit: Kentucky Division of Energy

Kentucky Firm Refines Aluminum Process

SECAT, Inc., affiliated with the University of Kentucky Research Farm in Lexington, is leading a three-year project that developed a computer model to predict when cracks are likely to form in large aluminum ingots as they cool. Fewer cracks mean less wasted material, which in turn means energy and cost savings. The $3.3 million research project involved a team of aluminum companies, university researchers, and national laboratories, and was partially funded by the DOE's Office of Industrial Technologies.

Minnesota

Minnesotans Find Energy Information Center a Useful Resource

Callers to the Energy Information Center at the Minnesota Department of Commerce State Energy Office receive useful, accurate information that they use to reduce home energy costs and repair problems, a recent survey found.

The purposes of the survey, conducted in spring 2003 by the St. Cloud State University Social Science Research Institute, were to

Assess services and information provided
Evaluate alternative delivery mechanisms
Find out how information is being used
Learn whether further evaluation is needed

The institute reached more than 160 people, mostly single-family homeowners, who had recently contacted the Information Center. Many call seeking energy advice and receive informational pamphlets; others talk to a staff person for personalized answers to questions.

Almost half (45%) of respondents had already acted on the information they obtained. "This response was much greater than anticipated," said Phil Smith, Energy Information Center supervisor. Most people either added insulation or installed and maintained heating or cooling appliances. Other actions included adding caulking or weather stripping, reducing ice dams, installing efficient lighting or appliances, installing a ventilation system, or building a new house or addition with energy-efficient materials.

The Energy Information Center promotes energy conservation and efficiency through consumer education via telephone, a Web site, e-mail, home and trade shows, classes and presentations, and through more than two dozen publications. The center has contact with more than 90,000 consumers annually either by phone, through the department Web site, at home shows, and at the State Fair, and has distributed more than 136,900 consumer publications and CD-ROMS annually. And many of these publications are available online.

New Jersey

New Jersey Joins Change a Light Campaign

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) in September joined a partnership with DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the national "Change a Light, Change the World" lighting campaign. The campaign offers residents savings on the purchase of select ENERGY STAR lighting products through December 31. The program is being developed by the BPU's Office of Clean Energy as part of a major campaign to educate customers on ways to save energy and money on their energy bills.

The New Jersey Clean Energy Program and Governor McGreevey support retailers statewide to help New Jersey residents save energy and money and reduce the impact of recent electric utility rate increases. Residents will benefit from discounted pricing on select ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent light bulbs and lighting fixtures.

"The 'Change a Light, Change the World' campaign is an important program that puts the power of controlling personal energy costs and usage in the hands of the consumer," said Jeanne M. Fox, BPU president.

Campaign discounts are offered at more than 800 stores in New Jersey, including Home Depot, Lowe's, Shop Rite, Costco, BJ's, Sam's Club, 84 Lumber, Wal-Mart, Walgreen's, Eckerd, Rite Aid, and at major supermarket chains, including small and midsize stores that sell electrical appliances and lamps.

New Mexico

New Mexico Establishes Federal-State ENERGY STAR® Partnership

In November 2003, the State of New Mexico entered an ENERGY STAR partnership with DOE and the EPA. The partnership will help promote ENERGY STAR, a symbol of energy efficiency applicable to consumer products and commercial buildings. An ENERGY STAR Partnership Kick-Off Event took place December 8 at the Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe; Governor Bill Richardson was the keynote speaker. DOE and EPA officials also attended.

New Mexico Reduces Haze through Clean Energy Initiatives

Over the past two years, the New Mexico State Energy Office collaborated with the state's Environment Department to develop and support the Pollution Prevention section of its Regional Haze State Implementation Plan (SIP). The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board approved the Regional Haze SIP on November 19; implementation should result in improved air quality and visibility enhancement throughout the state and the region-particularly in Class I wilderness areas and national parks.

New Mexico to Host Energy Summit

The Western Governors' Association (WGA) and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, WGA chairman, will host the North American Energy Summit on April 14-16, 2004. The summit will be held at the downtown Hyatt Regency in Albuquerque, and will offer a rare opportunity to address many of the energy supply, demand, and infrastructure issues facing the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Learn more at the WGA Web site.

New York

New York Company Launches Fuel Analyzer to Meet Regulations

The New York-based X-Ray Optical Systems, Inc. (XOS), announced on November 6 that it has launched production of its advanced, on-line, and bench-top analyzers for measuring minute amounts of sulfur in motor fuels. The devices are critical to petroleum refiners and marketers in meeting EPA ultra-low sulfur regulations for on-road diesel and gasoline, set to begin in 2006. These regulations aim to reduce sulfur-oxide exhaust emissions that form acid rain, and ultra-fine particles associated with adverse health effects.

The $3 million development of this new x-ray analysis technique was assisted through a $250,000 New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) contract. The resulting SINDIE^TM line of analyzers represents a breakthrough for unprecedented reliability, speed, and detection capability.

EPA regulation of on-road gasoline and diesel requires reductions in sulfur content to as low as 15 parts per million (ppm), down from 500 ppm. "These dramatic reductions challenge our analytical capabilities and increase industry and regulatory needs for reliable on-line and bench-top sulfur analyzers," according to XOS President David Gibson. "XOS's advanced x-ray optics technology enables the introduction of entirely new and innovative analytical approaches in process, and bench-top analyzers with a limit of detection well below 1 ppm."

Gibson emphasized that "NYSERDA provided critical funding during the development and testing stage of the on-line analyzer. This allowed us to accelerate the development and introduction of these analyzers and helped XOS provide industry-wide analysis solutions, well in advance of the regulatory deadline."

New York School to Receive NYSERDA Grant

NYSERDA announced on October 6 that it will provide $400,000 to the Indian River Central School District for energy efficiency improvements. The newly constructed 71,545-square-foot intermediate school features a state-of-the-art energy management system and geothermal heating and cooling technology.

NYSERDA Acting President Peter R. Smith explained that the school district took advantage of financial incentives available through the New York Energy $mart^SM New Construction Program. Smith said that the district installed an energy-efficient heat recovery system and variable speed drives as part of the geothermal heating and cooling system, as well as an energy management system to control overall energy use at the new building.

"Indian River has taken an important step forward by choosing to use energy-efficient technology for its new building's heating and cooling system," said State Senator Jim Wright from Waterton, chair of the New York State Senate Energy Committee. "Having been out to see the construction and plans, I am impressed with the scope and capabilities of the finished product. By using the Earth's natural resources, the school district will save taxpayers a significant amount of money in the years to come while being environmentally friendly."

By installing the recommended energy efficiency measures, the school will realize an estimated annual reduction of electrical energy consumption of 307,000 kWh annually, which translates to a financial saving of $46,000 per year.

In addition to the reduction in operating costs, district business manager James R. Koch anticipates a reduction in maintenance costs. "The heat pumps, which are at the heart of the system, do not require the level of maintenance of an oil-fired boiler. Their operations can be effectively monitored via the computer. With an average expected life in excess of 15 years, we anticipate additional long-term savings through this technology."

Oklahoma

Energy Action in Oklahoma Schools

The Oklahoma State Office of Energy, in partnership with the National Energy Foundation (NEF), has funded a grant to provide free energy education to school districts in Oklahoma through NEF's Energy Action in Schools program. The program provides hands-on classroom activities to supplement and enhance current educational programs within school districts. The grant program is also correlated to the current Oklahoma pass standards. Energy Action Patrols will be implemented in each participating school, with students and an advisor working as a team to bring energy conservation to the attention of students and teachers.

Five school districts have already been awarded grants; participating school districts are Muskogee, Macomb, Perry, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa Public School Districts. Perry, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa implemented the program during the 2002-2003 school year and saw excellent results both in savings to energy budgets and in the behavior and awareness of their students and teachers. Muskogee and Macomb Public Schools are implementing the program currently.

Oklahoma Opens First Wind Power Plant

With the inauguration in October of the Oklahoma Wind Energy Center near Woodward, the state now has its first large-scale source of wind power. The center, built and owned by FPL Energy (a subsidiary of Florida Power and Light, which is the largest wind power developer in the country), will produce as much as 102 megawatts (MW) of electricity at peak capacity. Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) and the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority have each purchased 51 MW of the wind-generated power. The $100 million Oklahoma Wind Energy Center features 68 state-of-the-art turbines, each of which rated at 1.5 MW.

OG&E has reported that hundreds of its customers are eager for clean, "green" energy and have signed up to buy wind power to supplement their regular electricity. Customers pay approximately $0.005 per kWh more than with other energy or about $5 more per month (based on a typical 1,000 kWh per month use).

Wind energy costs about $1 million per MW of capacity compared to about $700,000 for a natural gas-fired plant, according to FPL Energy. State tax incentives such as the Production Tax Credit further reduce the cost of wind energy by awarding electric power companies with credits of $0.0075 per kWh generated by a zero emission facility. The credit drops to $0.005 from 2004 to 2006.

Oklahoma ranks eighth among all states in wind power resources, with an annual energy potential of 725 billion kWh without transmission constraints.

Western Farmers Energy Cooperative to Tap Oklahoma Wind

The Western Farmers Energy Cooperative (WFEC) is also about to tap into Oklahoma's wind resource. The Blue Canyon Wind Farm, about 15 miles northwest of Lawton, is set to transmit wind-generated electricity by the end of this year. Construction of the site began in June. When complete, it will feature 45 turbines each rated at 1.65 MW and sitting top 218-foot turbine towers.

Under a 20-year agreement, WFEC will purchase 74.25 MW of wind power from Blue Canyon Windpower LLC, which is owned by Zilkha Renewable Energy and the Kimart Corporation. WFEC will own, operate, and maintain the metering, communication, system protective devices, and the transmission system that delivers the power.

To celebrate Blue Canyon's development, Zilkha and WFEC held an on-site reception September 30 that featured Oklahoma Lt. Governor Mary Fallin and 300 others, including local landowners, state legislators, and WFEC representatives.

Blue Canyon will supply wind power to WFEC's 19 rural electric cooperatives that serve farms, rural residences, towns, and commercial and industrial customers in nearly two-thirds of rural Oklahoma.

Wisconsin

	A new heat recovery system at a Wisconsin company will save more than $55,000 per year in energy costs. Credit: Rexnord Industries

Wisconsin Program Helps Reduce Company's Operating Costs

Wisconsin's Rexnord Industries Elastomer Division will save more than $55,000 per year in energy costs by optimizing its production operations and implementing a state-of-the art, Wisconsin-made heat recovery system. The new system captures heat traditionally lost in an incineration process and uses it to preheat combustion air for the company's burn-off ovens.

Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program, a public-private partnership that offers energy information and services to energy utility customers, teamed with Rexnord's utility, We Energies, along with contractor Environmental Systems, Inc., to provide technical and financial assistance to help offset energy efficiency implementation costs at Rexnord.

Rexnord, We Energies, and Focus on Energy collaborated on several measures to optimize the elastomeric molding company's production operations. The measures were first identified during a facility survey commissioned by We Energies. Environmental Systems installed covers on dip tanks, which contain buildup of potentially hazardous compounds, and a new control system that monitors and regulates the level of compounds in the room. The controls also allow the oxidizer to be shut off on weekends by covering the dip tanks, and feature safety switches that sense when the oxidizer can be powered down, such as slowing down or shutting off during all non-production times.

State Energy Information

New state Web sites and publications, and DOE pubs dealing with energy efficiency and renewable energy in the states.

ACEEE Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings

People looking to save energy at home can also turn to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, which just launched the eighth edition of its popular Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings; 247 pp.; 2003, $8.95