They’re saving energy in Minnesota

[irishbobcat]

They're  saving energy in Minnesota
 

  Mar 25, 2009
Star Tribune
   
Paul Levy

Mar. 25, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Three dozen Elk River families are unplugging home appliances, grabbing their reusable grocery bags and following a trail lit by compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Six months into Project Conserve, some say they've never felt more energized.

"My electric bills and heating bills are down," said beaming homeowner Jennifer Wagner, whose enthusiasm for this energy-saving pilot project seemed to rise the day she lowered her thermostat.

Neighbors tease her, calling her Mrs. Green. But by the time Elk River's yearlong pilot program is completed, those same neighbors may be green with envy when they see the decline in kilowatt hours on her energy bills. City official Vance Zehringer says reducing energy bills by 20 percent is not an unreasonable goal.

Twelve years ago, the Minnesota Environment Initiative dubbed Elk River the Energy City, choosing the Sherburne County suburb from 30 applicants as a role model for demonstrating efficient and renewable energy products, services and technologies.

But last year, Zehringer, the city's conservation-improvement manager, decided that Elk River was ready "to demonstrate to the nation" that families could save as much as $400 a year in energy bills without compromising lifestyles.

Grass-roots efforts

Elk River is not the only Minnesota city creating a buzz through energy conservation. Last month, Willmar held a Citizens Energy Summit, a grass-roots gathering in that central Minnesota city of energy experts, business executives and homeowners who plan to write and present a National Energy Plan to Congress next year.

In Elk River, a plan already has been put into action. Zehringer hoped to lure 30 families to a pilot program by offering each a free home-energy audit. One hundred thirty applied -- and three dozen were accepted.

"Now when we brush our teeth, we turn off the water until we need it again," explained Lauren Wagner. "I'm 6 years old, and if I can do it everyone should do it."

Her mother, Jennifer, has taken a page from former President Jimmy Carter, imploring her husband, Mike, and three kids to wear sweaters and sweatshirts at home indoors, where the thermostat is set at 66 degrees.

An insulating blanket is wrapped around the water heater. Long-lasting compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) that look like bright spirals have been installed in every lamp. The basement is being finished with spray-foam insulation -- to seal cracks -- instead of fiberglass.

"We're not perfect; we're not getting a gold star," Jennifer said as twins Charlie and Joey, 3, raced around and generated enough energy to heat the entire neighborhood. "But when you do a bunch of small things, they add up."

Some cool tips

Project Conserve participants are being asked to clean the cooling coils of air conditioners, clean furnace filters and vacuum refrigerator coils.

Zehringer said the program also promotes water conservation with these tips: Use low-flow shower heads, install ground probes for measurements when watering the lawn, sweep driveways instead of hosing them down.

"We're trying to take things even a step further," said homeowner Allen Williams, 45, customer service financial representative.

He and his wife, Jacqueline, have installed CFLs throughout the house, but prefer using natural light to brighten their home. They rarely use their furnace -- set at 55 degrees -- because a pellet stove that burns reusable sources heats their four-year-old home. Solar shades were placed over windows tinted to keep the house cooler during summers.

"This feels natural to us," Williams said.

Wagner says her last electric bill showed a 700-kilowatt reduction from the previous bill.

"I'll be the first to admit that we haven't been the best at keeping water bills down," she said while placing waste in a recycling bin for organics only. "But the kids are learning. It's their world."

Paul Levy --612-673-4419

Newstex ID: KRTB-0281-33421836

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we need the same type of effort here in Ohio !

Dennis Spisak
Mahoning Valley Green Party
Ohio Green Party

www.ohiogreens.org
www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/