AECP will conduct its 4th annual Energy Expo (formerly Energy Conservation Fair) at the Roanoke Civic Center in Roanoke, Virginia on September 12 and 13. The theme and purpose of the event remain the same – to educate the general public on the importance and necessity of energy conservation and then providing opportunities through exhibits and demonstrations to show how this can be achieved in the home and/or business. Initial funding support is being provided by the U.S. Department of Energy. The exhibits will include green building, sustainability issues, pressure diagnostics, fuel cells, hybrid and electric vehicles, wind power, solar energy, weatherization, recycling, water conservation, energy efficient lighting, building science, indoor air quality, geothermal heat pumps, Energy Star, and energy efficient appliances, equipment, products, and services. Our goal this year is to significantly increase attendance at the event. So we encourage all AECP members to actively help promote the Expo and help support our efforts to educate the general public on existing opportunities to save money, save energy, and save our environment.
SENATE REJECTS EFFORT TO DRILL FOR OIL IN ARTIC
The U.S. Senate, by a vote of 52-48, defeated an effort by the Bush Administration to open the Artic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling for oil. Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club, stated that “Americans are concerned about national security, but drilling in the Artic will do nothing to alleviate these fears. Artic drilling would not put a dent in our dependence on foreign oil, would do nothing to strengthen our national security, and would not save consumers a dime. We cannot drill our way to energy dependence.” Government estimates indicate that there is less than a six-month supply of oil in the Artic Refuge and that it would take ten years to reach U.S. markets. The National Academy of Science in a recently released study on the cumulative effects of drilling in the Artic – reaffirmed the negative impacts that drilling has already caused in the Artic area and provided further evidence that the Artic Refuge needs to be protected.
BERKELEY NATIONAL LAB TESTS ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM
Berkeley National Laboratories in partnership with engineers at the Watt Stopper, Inc. is conducting research to determine more efficient lighting use in the hotel industry. Research has shown that bathroom lights in hotels are left on over eight hours a day in occupied rooms. Watt Stopper, Inc. is developing an occupancy sensor that will turn the bathroom lights off when they are not in use. The sensor replaces the standard wall switch. It is set to turn off the light after one hour. An energy efficient light-emitting diode night- light provides illumination, eliminating the need to leave bathroom lights on throughout the night. The potential national energy saving impact of this sensor is tremendous.
THE VWEC HOLDS FIRST ANNUAL VIRGINIA WIND ENERGY WORKSHOP
The Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative (VWEC), an organization sponsored by James Madison University’s (JMU) College of Integrated Science and Technology, held the first annual Virginia Wind Energy Workshop on March 21 at JMU’s campus in Harrisonburg, Va. The theme of the workshop was developing utility scale wind projects in Virginia. The workshop involved educators, industry reps, landowners, energy professionals, and environmental groups. There were presentations that included discussing Virginia’s wind energy resources, current marketing demands, the unveiling of a new wind energy resource map for Virginia, how a large utility scale project is developed, and concerns of environmentalists about bird safety and overall site development issues. There were question and answer opportunities after each presentation. The Workshop was an excellent informational and educational event that promoted Wind Power as a viable and renewable energy resource. The Workshop received funding and logistical support from the U.S. Dept. of Energy and also the Virginia Dept. of Mines, Minerals, and Energy.
ENERGY TIP
Celebrate Earth Day on April 22! Find and participate in an Earth Day event in your community. Show your support for cleaner, smarter, and healthier energy use. Check out www.earthday.net and get additional information on Earth Day and also on any events that may be happening in your area.