House committee hosts energy efficiency symposium

Representative Wendy Jaquet organized an energy conservation symposium to present to the House Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee this week, with speakers presenting on energy conservation efforts.

Rocky Mountain Power, which supplies power to customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho focuses on energy efficiency and peak reduction programs, including significant outreach to residential customers. In 2010, reductions in peak demand equaled the equivalent of power from a 160 mWh wind farm. For every dollar invested in energy efficiency, Rocky Mountain Power officials estimate their customers save between $2.50 and $2.70 over time.

Idaho Power is also focusing on residential customers through energy efficiency programs. Residential customers represent about 37% of their customer base, and about 83% of the total annual mW consumption.

John J. Williams of BPA noted that cost of conservation has decreased over the years. The highest source of power in the northwest is hydro, the second is coal and the third, he said, is conservation. Conservation efforts to date have resulted in enough electricity to serve all of Idaho and Montana in 2009.

Bruce Fulsom with Avista noted his company seeks to offer very specific and deep programs that are meaningful to customers but also broad so that they are accessible to various customers. Conservation is the least expensive new resource, which is why they’ve focused efforts to help customers use less of their product through rebates, energy audits and communication.

McKinstry is a company that has been involved in design/build projects for the past 50 years. For the past 10 years, they have been involved in energy efficiency projects. Last year they participated in $20 million worth of energy retrofitting projects in Idaho, employing more than 300 local subcontractors. Their projects also represent savings figures in terms of reductions in operating costs for their customers, and annual reductions in carbon emissions.

Paul Kjellander of the Idaho Office of Energy Resources updated the committee on stimulus funding projects, including energy efficiency audits in schools. The dollars saved, he says, are on behalf of the tax payer. In addition, he says, 15,000 Idahoans took part in the appliance rebate program that will conclude next month. The total savings was about $1.4 million. More information about stimulus funding programs is available online at www.energy.idaho.gov.