Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Publication Available: Utility DSM Programs from 1989 through 1998: Continuation or Cross Roads?, is the fourth annual ORNL report on the current status of electric-utility DSM programs. Utility reports to the Energy Information Administration show, as of Spring 1994, plans to increase DSM-program spending and effects. DSM energy savings increased from 1.2% of total sales in 1992 to 1.6% in 1993 and 1.9% in 1994. DSM demand reductions increased from 5.9% of peak summer demand in 1992 to 6.8% in 1993 and 7.3% in 1994. DSM expenditures accounted for 1.3% of utility revenues in 1992, increasing to 1.5% in 1993 and remaining constant thereafter. The analysis of these data show no clear regional patterns or temporal trends in utility DSM programs that might be attributed to increasing competition in the industry. At least as of a year ago, most utilities were planning to increase DSM spending and effects, with only a few planning on decreases.

Contact: Ethel Schorn, (615) 576-8745

Pacific Northwest Laboratory
Twin Buildings Offer Monitoring Opportunity: They look the same, "act" the same and even sit side by side, but like some twins, they have very different personalities. The clone buildings at the U.S. DOE's Pacific Northwest Laboratory appear the same to the naked eye, but differ significantly in energy-efficiency features, providing a rare opportunity to determine first hand the actual savings. The 100,000 square-foot buildings are identical in design, materials, occupancy levels, location and use, though the new Environmental Technology Building was constructed with every cost-effective, energy-saving feature. Detailed energy consumption information will be collected over the next year through microprocessor-controlled data loggers developed by PNL for previous energy monitoring studies. Data will be gathered from a total of 324 distribution points to determine the individual savings derived from each feature. Results are expected by summer 1996 and will be available to utilities, industry and federal, state and local governments to confirm the value of energy-efficient technologies. The end result is PNL's most efficient building, constructed beyond Washington state efficiency requirements. Energy-saving features include a high-efficiency heating, cooling and ventilation system equipped with a carbon dioxide monitoring unit that determines, and draws in, only the amount of fresh air actually needed based on building use; compact, high-efficiency fluorescent lighting twice as efficient as standard fluorescent lights; refrigerators that consume 30% less energy than the most efficient model on the market today; and coated, double-paned exterior windows filled with argon gas that significantly reduce energy loss through unwanted heat transfer. In all, these and other features are expected to result in savings of $200,000 over the next five years.

Contact: Dawn J. Zimmerman, (509) 375-3688

Arizona
Energy Data Quarterly Report Available: The current issue includes statewide energy data for the second quarter 1994 as compared to second quarter 1993 data. The feature article for this issue, Retail Competition in the Electric Utility Sector, discusses inevitable competition at the wholesale and retail level of the electric utility industry. The article was written by Stephen Ahearn, manager of Energy Policy and Data Programs at the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office.

Contact: Glenn Weiss, (602) 280-1402 Internet, glennw@ep.state.az.us

Delaware
National Innovation Workshop Held: The Division of Facilities Management/Energy Office sponsored, in conjunction with U.S. DOE, the Delaware Economic Development Office and local businesses, the National Innovation Workshop - "Profiting from New Ventures" on March 17-18, 1995. This workshop was the first in a series of workshops to be held across the country. These workshops are a cooperative effort of Federal and regional programs to provide practical guidance and information to innovative businesses, entrepreneurs and inventors. Other sponsors included the University of Delaware's Center for Economic Education, DuPont Company, Delaware Manufacture Alliance, Delaware Entrepreneur's Forum and many more. The conference was well attended with participants from Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. An added bonus--95 Delaware Teachers (K-12) attended the workshop on Saturday, March 18, 1995, to learn to adapt lessons for all subjects to include innovative and entrepreneurial skills, to encourage our children to think innovatively and creatively.

Contact: Sue Sebastian, (302) 739-5644

Florida
PV Light Poles Installed: Florida's SECP's Restaurant Energy Efficiency program is involved with photovoltaic light poles which capture the sun's energy for use at night in the restaurant parking lots. A pilot study has caught the interest of Wendy's, McDonalds, Burger-King and Taco Bells. The project uses eight ordinary looking light poles which have a 6-volt battery near the base of each pole. Since the poles don't need to be connected to regular outlets, there are no wires, which means the poles can be placed almost anywhere in the parking lot. Only the photovoltaic cells at the top must be exposed to direct sunlight. The technology is being checked by Atlanta based utilities for possible use at the upcoming Olympic games.

Sun Provides Water: SECP Agricultural Energy Efficiency is operating a site which supplies water for livestock using solar generated electricity. The cost of installing electric power lines for the purpose of pumping water in remote pasture areas is prohibitive. Therefore the use of solar generated electricity to pump the water for the livestock is cost-effective and a reliable method of placing the water supply where it is most needed. In addition, since it is solar powered, it does not produce the negative environmental effects of electricity generated from coal, oil or natural gas.The PV array used in this demonstration was almost 27 square feet. The six-panel photovoltaic array was sized to produce 270 watts of DC electricity from 2,700 watts of solar radiation (full sun) under perfect operating conditions. The system needed a minimum of 900 watts of solar power to pump water into the tank. The system yielded up to 10 gallons per minute under peak sunshine.

Contact: Dr. Karen Miller, (813) 744-5524

Hawaii
Energy-Efficient Architecture Seminar Held: A public seminar on appropriate architectural design for island residences was offered March 10 at the Kona Outdoor Circle facility. Cosponsored by the Kona Outdoor Circle, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, the American Institute of Architects and the Hawaii's Energy Extension Service, the evening class identified ways to incorporate natural ventilation, daylight and other features into homes built at different microclimates on the island of Hawaii. The instructor for "Hawaiian Design: Strategies for Energy-Efficient Architecture" was Virginia MacDonald, AIA. The Hawaii's Energy Extension Service is a program of the State of Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's Energy Division.

Contact: Andrea Beck, (808) 933-4558

Iowa
Veterans Home Project Funded: The heating and cooling systems at the Iowa Veteran's Home in Marshalltown could no longer meet the facility's needs. The original system was producing unsatisfactory comfort levels, was unreliable and the operation costs were high. The expense of a new system was not in the budget for the Home, so self-funding these improvements was not an option. The best alternative was for the Home to use an established financing program for the implementation of energy management improvements, like the State of Iowa Facilities Improvement Corporation (SIFIC). The mission of SIFIC is to assist state facilities in identifying energy management improvements and providing financial options for the implementation of those improvements found to be cost effective. The SIFIC staff worked with the Iowa Veteran's Home (IVH) to develop a plan for implementing improvements to the facilities to meet the IVH's short and long term needs. The IVH's objective was to create a comfortable environment for the residents while improving the reliability and safety of the facility and saving energy dollars. SIFIC arranged for an engineering firm to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the facility. The information contained in the analysis allows the SIFIC and IVH staff to devise a two phase plan of action. Phase one of the plan dealt with solving the immediate problems that the IVH was experiencing. Phase two is a comprehensive program to remove obsolete equipment and replace it with energy efficient equipment. Once the plan was developed, SIFIC was able to arrange for the IVH to receive $1.9 million in financing. The energy and maintenance savings will allow this project to pay for itself. SIFIC will monitor the improvements to verify the projected savings have occurred. This project is a good example of how state facilities can use programs like SIFIC to improve their operational systems, increase their comfort and save money.

Contact: Mary Leite, (515) 281-8416

Kansas
Energy Efficiency Helps Industry: Kansas State University's Pollution Prevention Institute (PPI), in cooperation with the U.S. EPA Region 7, is gathering information to develop a software program that will enable users to input various electroplating parameters and select a pollution prevention alternative that best meets their needs. The focus of the software will be to prevent pollution, with hopes it can also have a significant impact on electroplaters' energy consumption. In order to effectively determine those needs, PPI is gathering current data from the electroplating pollution prevention processes. The Kansas City branch of the American Electroplating and Surface Finishing Society mailed a survey to its members in early February requesting that they volunteer information or permit PPI specialist to make on-site assessments of their facilities and those on-site assessments began in March. Michele Feenstra, PPI's director said her goal is to have the pollution prevention software completed during the coming summer.

Contact: Chris Zien, (913) 532-650

Kentucky
ICP Goes On-Line: During the week of April 24, 1995, the State of Kentucky will be the 22nd state to go on-line with Systems Approach To Grants Administration (SAGA). SAGA is a personal computer Local Area Network database system developed with funding from the DOE, Office of Technical and Financial Assistance (DOE/OTFA). Since 1985, the ten DOE Regional Support Offices have used SAGA to manage the Institutional Conservation Programs (ICP), State Energy Conservation Programs/Energy Extension Service (SECP/EES), and Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP) grants which they awarded to the states and, with state assistance, to schools and hospitals for energy conservation activities. In 1993, SAGA was modified for use by state energy agencies, and an interface was developed for electronic transfer of data between the state and the regional support office SAGA databases. Each participating state office is provided with a SAGA database including: all ICP institutional grants made in that state; all formula ICP, WAP, SECP, and discretionary energy conservation grants awarded to the state office by the support office; and the National Projects database (includes project description and budget information for state projects funded with oil overcharge and Federal funds.) DOE provides the computer software, installation of the system, and user start-up and hotline assistance. Each participating state provides its own computer and communications equipment and staffing. Thirteen states (Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon and South Dakota) have had inspect-only access which allows them to view and run reports on all of their state specific information. After becoming familiar with SAGA using an inspect-only version, nine states (California, Indiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nevada and Utah) now enter ICP Institutional grant applications into SAGA for upload to the support office. They can also enter amendments, cost, and payment data for the ICP institutional awards they make (Petroleum Violation Escrow, coordinating agency and technical assistance subawards) and use SAGA to print award notifications for their grants. States participate in SAGA users group meetings, where enhancements to the system are proposed and discussed. The benefits of making SAGA available to the states include: providing states with SAGA's grant management and information retrieval and analysis capabilities; increase the timeliness of exchange of information between the States and DOE Support Offices, and avoiding duplicative data entry; facilitating reconciliation of DOE and State grant records; and promoting technology transfer via the national projects data base. Subject to their interest in participating and to the availability of support funds, additional states will be selected in FY 1996 for the same two-phase SAGA installation.

Contact: Betty Yates, (502) 564-7192 or Faith Lambert, (202) 586-2319

Maryland
A Boost For Solar: The Maryland Board of Public Works, chaired by Governor Glendening approved a $909,100 loan to the city of Frederick and a $909,100 loan to Federick County from the Department of Employment and Economic Development's (DEED) Community Financing Group to help AMOCO/ENRON Solar, formerly known as the Solarex Corporation, to expand its Frederick facility. In addition, the Maryland Energy Administration will loan the company $1.7 million. Solarex is planning a $7.7 million expansion. The company is investing $4 million in the project and Frederick County and the city of Frederick are each loaning the company $90,900. The company will use the proceeds of these loans to purchase equipment, expand its operations in Federick, increase employment, and position itself to remain at the forefront of the solar energy industry. On January 1, AMOCO's Solarex Corporation, the nation's largest U.S. owned manufacturer of solar energy (photovoltaic) panels, formed a joint venture with a subsidiary of Enron Corporation, a major international energy company. Solarex is now one of two divisions and is the manufacturing arm of the joint venture, AMOCO/ENRON Solar.The joint venture intends to reduce production costs, open new markets and provide the means for mass production of alternative energy sources.

Tax Credit for AFV's: Just hours before adjournment the Maryland General Assembly approved an administration bill (Senate Bill 648) which allows corporations and individuals to claim a credit against the state income tax by purchasing alternative fuel vehicles. The credit is base on the equivalent federal credits and deductions defined in the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Alternative fuel vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 lbs, are eligible for the credit. The credit is determined by taking a percentage of the federal credit or deduction for applicable weight classes. A credit cannot be claimed by alternative fuel providers. In addition, a credit cannot be claimed unless the individual or corporation has already met or exceeded any federal or state purchasing requirements, such as those under the Clean Air Act. The credit is applicable for one tax year, and may not be carried over to other years. The credit is for alternative fuel vehicle property placed in service between July 1, 1995 and July 1, 1998.

Contact: Ed Mason, (800)-72-ENERGY

Michigan
Energy Award Nominees Named: The Michigan Public Service Commission has selected two nominees for the 1995 National Awards for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Traverse City Light & Power, a municipal utility in northwestern Michigan, has been nominated in the Utility Category for its three part radio-controlled distribution and demand side management program: 1) substation voltage control, 2) customer air conditioning peak load control, and 3) capacitor bank volt-ampere reactive control. The simple payback on their investment was approximately six months and the program has achieved peak load reductions of approximately 3.5%. Days Inn Frankenmuth/Bridgeport has been nominated in the Building Category for its lighting and heating retrofits. Days Inn has thousands of guests a year and expects that some of them will adopt the compact fluorescent and other lighting retrofits in their homes and businesses.

Contact: John Sarver, (517) 334-7234

Minnesota
Publication Available: The Minnesota Department of Public Service has published New Homes, a guide to help interested home buyers achieve a higher quality and more energy-efficient home when contracting for new construction. The guide describes the new standards to achieve higher levels of energy efficiency in new homes which have been adopted by the department. Minnesota home builders now have the option of building a high performance energy efficient home that achieves high levels of air tightness and requires mechanical ventilation systems to ensure air quality. This publication is designed specially to help the home buyer understand various options for energy efficient construction. If you are interested in receiving a copy of the New Homes publication, call the Energy Information Center.

Contact: Energy Information Center, (800)-657-3710

Mississippi
Alternative Passenger Rail Program Renovated: The Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development-Energy Division (MDECD-ED) announces the award of a $100,000 grant to the City of Gulfport, to assist with renovation of the city-owned depot being utilized for both passenger and freight rail services. Renovation plans at the depot include construction of a canopy connecting a parking lot to the depot, parking lot improvements, implementation of handicapped facilities, and other site improvements. These improvements will promote energy efficiency by diverting traffic into intermodal activities such as park-and-ride and use of public transit for local travel on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Energy Division's Alternative Passenger Rail Program, which assists specified coastal municipalities with the construction of manned or unmanned passenger facilities, utilizes Stripper Well Settlement Agreement Funds as set forth in its special projects plan approved by the U.S. DOE. Previously awarded grants under this program funded projects in the Mississippi coastal municipalities of the City of Bay St. Louis and the City of Pascagoula.

Contact: Nell Ingram, (601) 359-6600

Clean Coal Technology Discussed: As a member organization of the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB), the MDECD-Energy Division hosted a meeting of the SSEB Clean Coal Technology Coordinating Committee in Jackson, Mississippi, March 29, 1995. Agenda topics included development status of the clean coal technology database that will provide the region's stakeholders with facts on clean coal technologies and other industry-related issues; regulatory issues, including energy and environmental regulatory reform recommendations; USDOE's Clean Coal Technology Program; an overview of Mississippi's lignite development project; and new technologies and innovations. The SSEB, a non-profit interstate compact organization, seeks to promote sustainable development as it develops, promotes and recommends policies and programs on energy, environment and economics. Its Clean Coal Technology Coordinating Committee, composed of federal, state and private sector officials, promotes the development and utilization of coal and new technologies for the increased market penetration of this resource in the U.S. and abroad.

Contact: Chester Smith, (601) 359-6600

Nebraska
Weatherization Conference Scheduled: The Nebraska Energy Office will be hosting the U.S.DOE's 1995 Region VII Weatherization Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska, May 15-18. Energy Midwest: At The Center of Technology has been designed to meet the needs of local and state Weatherization Assistance Program managers and staff, equipment vendors, utilities, state energy officials and energy and housing organizations. This four day conference features over 50 different sessions essential to those interested in meeting weatherization and other energy needs of low-income families. If you would like information about the conference, please call.

Contact: Anita Couillard or Pete Dave, (402) 471-2867

North Carolina
Middle Schooler Wins Billboard Contest: Billboards designed by a Raleigh eighth grader were put up by the energy division this spring after she won an art contest aimed at promoting energy awareness. Shilpa Khatri of Martin Middle School in Raleigh was chosen the winner from among participating students. The contest was open to students in elementary and middle schools. Sponsored by the energy division and school officials, the contest encourages the promotion of energy-saving ideas originated by school children. The students' artwork is prepared on sheets used by the billboard industry and then scaled for transfer to billboard posters. The first billboards this spring were being posted in Raleigh area. The energy division has tentative plans to promote the contest in other regions of the state and designate regional winners. The winning billboards would be posted in the related areas to promote energy awareness and the students' participation and originality.

Contact: Brenda Chesson, (919) 733-1896

Pennsylvania
Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Strategy Proposed: With a grant from the U.S. EPA, the Pennsylvania Energy Office (PEO), in conjunction with California University of Pennsylvania (CUP), completed an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in December 1993. Last year, the PEO embarked on a second phase of greenhouse gas emission assessment that includes abatement strategies. The goal of Phase II was to propose policy changes to reduce Pennsylvania's greenhouse gas emissions through viable mechanisms that do not inhibit the state's economy. Phase II of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory: Reducing Pennsylvania's Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions is a report that reviews the progress that Pennsylvania has made in formulating policy and implementing programs to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases, lists and discusses mitigation strategies, and lists the obstacles to reduction and project future emissions. This report is available in very limited quantities. With further support of the EPA, the PEO now sees the opportunity to become a proactive partner with EPA in a joint venture to reduce annual anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. This Phase III activity will address the specific problems that serve as obstacles to methane capture from sources identified in Phase I and II, will outline the practical steps that will expedite this environmentally compliant capture, and will bring together state agencies for the purpose of enhancing methane capture.

Contact: Joseph Deklinski, (717) 783-9981

South Carolina
South Carolina Earth Day 1995: The South Carolina Energy Office will be participating in the 4th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Finlay Park in Columbia on Saturday, April 22. Presented by WNOK-FM and the City of Columbia, Earth Day 1995 will feature environmental vendors, educational booths, food, mascots, bands, recycling displays, and a children's play area. The energy office will be distributing educational materials on how to save energy in the home, and will be displaying a CNG (compressed natural gas) vehicle along with an electric car. We are looking forward to this exciting day of family fun.

Contact: Renee' Sharpe, (803) 737-8030

Utah
Energy Market Activity Report Available: The fifth edition of the Utah Energy Statistical Abstract, a comprehensive report on Utah energy market activity, is now available from the Office of Energy and Resource Planning, an agency of the Department of Natural Resources. The report, compiled by OERP, lists statistical information on production, consumption, distribution, reserves and prices of Utah's primary energy resources--coal, petroleum, natural gas, electricity and uranium--for those years 1960 through 1993. The 179 page report contains historical data presented in comprehensive tables and supporting graphs. The primary energy resource sections contain both state and national energy data, allowing readers to compare Utah's energy production and consumption levels to those of the rest of the nation. Energy production information for each producing county in Utah is also included. Cost of the Utah Energy Statistical Abstract is $10. It is available from OERP at (801) 538-5428.

Contact: Dotti Brockbank, (801) 538-7302

Virgin Islands
Director Appointed: Alicia Barnes-James has been appointed by Governor Schneider as the new Energy Office Director in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Ms. Barnes-James comes to the Virgin Islands Energy Office (VIEO) from the Water and Power Authority where she worked as an environmental specialist. When the governor announced the appointment of Ms. Barnes-James, he also announced that the VIEO will be organizationally placed under the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. Ms. Barnes-James replaced Claudette Young-Hinds.

Contact: Alicia Barnes-James, (809) 772-2616

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