Energy Expo 2007 Showcasing Energy Conservation Initiatives

    HARRISBURG, Pa., April 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Citing the state's
aggressive work to conserve and reduce energy consumption in all
state-owned office buildings, Department of General Services Secretary
James P. Creedon today said the commonwealth has achieved a 10-percent
reduction in energy consumption or $1.6 million in savings for taxpayers.
Creedon made the announcement with PUC Chairman Wendell F. Holland
during the opening of "Energy Expo 2007" in the Keystone Building atrium.
"By replacing incandescent lighting with fluorescent bulbs, eliminating
non-essential appliances, turning off power when it's not needed and
creating standard office temperature settings, we have dramatically reduced
our energy use," Creedon said. "We are not done, however. Our goal is to
realize an energy savings of 20 percent by the year 2011."
Energy Expo 2007 is part of "Energy Conservation Week," which was
designated for April 22-28 by Governor Edward G. Rendell.
Through a 2004 executive order, Governor Rendell placed the Department
of General Services in charge of an energy management and conservation
campaign for state-owned facilities. The order required long-term planning
for reduced consumption by every executive-branch agency.
DGS implemented a series of energy conservation measures throughout
state-owned and non-state-owned, or leased, facilities. By implementing the
new energy conservation practices, the commonwealth reduced energy use by
9.5 percent in 2006.
Employees were asked to remove non-approved electrical devices,
including personal toasters, popcorn makers, hair dryers, curling irons,
space heaters, refrigerators, lamps, clocks, and radios.
Energy-efficient fluorescent lighting is replacing incandescent
lighting throughout the buildings. Additionally, every other light bulb has
been removed in overhead lighting fixtures and lights have been turned off
in many vending machines.
Employees are also being encouraged to turn off office lights and use
as much natural light as practical. They are also being asked to turn off
equipment - including computers, copiers and calculators - when they are
not using them, and especially at the end of the work day and during
weekends and holidays. Additionally, most offices are being vacuumed weekly
instead of daily.
Where practical, office temperature settings are now 74 degrees in the
summer and 68 degrees in winter. This excludes areas that have unique
environmental needs.
Commissioner Holland said the PUC is working to provide innovative
tools to empower and educate consumers to reduce energy use and save money.
The goal is to adopt recommendations this spring that will allow consumers
to decrease energy use through reasonable, cost-effective energy
efficiency, demand-side response and advanced metering programs.
"The PUC hopes to build on existing programs that help consumers reduce
their energy usage, lower energy bills and enhance electric reliability,"
said
Holland. "We also are working to educate consumers about simple changes
in habits that can save energy and, in the end, money."
The PUC also continues to support renewable energy as it works to
implement the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, which requires
that a certain percentage of all electric energy sold to retail customers
be derived from alternative energy sources. The Legislative Budget and
Finance Committee said during an audit that the PUC is making "good
progress" in implementing the act.
Energy Expo 2007 included 55 exhibits showcasing the energy
conservation initiatives and conservation measures by state agencies,
energy service companies, utilities and transit agencies.
DGS is responsible for the construction of all capital projects,
excluding highways and bridges. DGS also works to incorporate "green"
building practices into any new or renovation project and administers the
Energy Service Company program, which is designed to provide
energy-efficient rehabilitation of existing facilities.
CONTACT: Edward Myslewicz (717) 787-3197

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