OCTOBER 30 IS NATIONAL WEATHERIZATION DAY
The Department of Energy has proclaimed October 30, 2002 as a day of celebration and recognition of the Weatherization Assistance Program, which is the oldest and largest residential energy conservation program in America. Here are some relevant facts about the program:
- Weatherization expects to provide services nationally to more than 105,000 low-income households in 2002.
- Weatherization reduces average annual energy costs by $218 per home.
- Weatherization operates in all 50 states and in every single city and county in America.
- More than 8,000 direct jobs are supported by the program.
- A weatherized home, on average, reduces carbon dioxide emissions by one ton.
- Every dollar invested in weatherization services yields a return of $1.78 in direct energy benefits to the household.
- The program not only saves energy through advanced technologies to improve the energy affordability for low-income families, but also saves and improves the health and safety of families by identifying carbon monoxide hazards, poor indoor air quality, mold and other health threats.
AECP HOLDS 3RD ANNUAL ENERGY CONSERVATION FAIR
AECP held its 3rd annual Energy Fair at the Roanoke Civic Center on September 13 and 14. Over 700 people attended and enjoyed the 40 exhibits, a seminar on green building design, a workshop on pressure diagnostics with the “House of Pressure”, renewable energy demonstrations, door prizes, and loads of information and hand-outs. The purpose of the Fair is to educate the general public about why it is important to save energy and to illustrate how this can be achieved in the home and/or business.
EPA ACCEPTS AWARD FOR ENERGY STAR
EPA administrator Christie Whitman was presented with the Charles S. Percy award for public service by the Alliance to Save Energy. This award was given to the Environmental protection Agency (EPA) for establishing the Energy Star program, a public-private partnership that helps protect the environment while saving consumers money through energy efficiency. Energy Star is a certification program that identifies and labels the most energy efficient appliances, building supplies, heating and cooling equipment, electronics, lighting, and house construction. “Over the past decade, EPA’s Energy Star program has grown from a voluntary labeling program to a partnership with over 7,000 organizations,” said Whitman.
THE CLEAN WATER ACT IS 30 YEARS OLD
On June 22, 1969, a rail car passing over the Cuyahoga River accidentally sparked a fire that sent flames soaring five stories high and raging past downtown Cleveland to Lake Erie. This event is generally thought to have led to the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972. To be sure, there has been considerable progress but after three decades, there is still much work to be done. Consider these facts and figures:
- 40% of America’s waters still fail to meet federal clean water standards.
- 75% of the population still live within 10 miles of polluted waterway.
- Despite a “no-net loss” policy regarding wetlands, which filter pollution, provide wildlife habitat, and absorb floodwaters, more than 60,000 acres are destroyed annually.
- In 2001, there were more than 11,000 days of beach closings, mostly due to elevated bacteria levels from polluted storm water.
- In many places, fish are not fit for consumption due to persistent organic pollutants like PCB’s and dioxins.
AECP WEBSITE UPDATE
The AECP website – www.aecp.org has recently been updated and is still under some construction. Please check it out and if you have any suggestions or input – please feel free to contact our webmaster Anthony Cox at acox990@aol.com or Billy Weitzenfeld, AECP Executive Director at aecp@swva.net.
ENERGY TIP
Save water and energy by installing low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and by fixing all water leaks in toilets, sinks, faucets and water lines.