Pulling the Plug on High Price Power

When fleet managers think of energy conservation, their thoughts are generally of miles per gallon. However, big savings can be found by looking at electricity usage in shops, terminals, warehouses, and offices. Energy conservation is a key element of a comprehensive pollution prevention program.

Commercial, industrial, and residential lighting accounts for 25% of all the electricity generated in the United States. Replacing a 75 watt incandescent lamp with a 15 watt fluorescent lamp could eliminate in one year the generation of 750 pounds of carbon dioxide and save $40 in power costs.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began the Green Lights Program to promote energy efficient lighting as a way to reduce air pollution and save money. Replacing T-12 fluorescent with energy efficient T-8 tubes, installing motion sensors to turn lights off when no one is in the room, and replacing magnetic ballasts with electronic ballasts for fluorescent tubes are all ways to save money, improve lighting quality, and reduce pollution. Companies here in Georgia have reported saving thousands of dollars per year by installing energy efficient lighting and controls. More information on how to participate in the Green Lights Program can be obtained by calling or writing the EPA. Even if your company decides not to enroll in the Green Lights program, following the Green Lights guidelines can save money.

Energy efficient lighting is only one way to reduce energy usage. Implementing some of the following energy saving measures also can pay big dividends in reducing waste generation.

_ Good housekeeping measures such as turning off unused lights and equipment

_ Use of more energy efficient motors

_ Use of energy saving lighting such as compact fluorescent and low wattage lamps

_ Increasing insulation on heating and cooling lines

The production of energy, whether through the use of fossil fuels or nuclear materials, creates wastes that must be managed. Burning coal in utility power plants creates fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and sludge that must be either reused or landfilled. At present the utility industry generates approximately 90 million tons of these materials per year. Power generation from fossil fuels also produces nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide that is released into the atmosphere.

There are many pollution prevention / waste reduction measures that can have a positive effect on energy consumption. Use of recycled metals and other materials often consumes less energy than the extraction and manufacture of "virgin" materials. For example, it requires approximately 3-1/2 times more energy to produce a given unit of aluminum from virgin material than from recycled material; similarly, it requires significantly more energy to produce plastic, steel, and glass from virgin material than from recycled products.

The Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P²AD) is available to help Georgia companies reduce waste and increase profits through pollution prevention. Services range from telephone assistance to on-site evaluations and consultations. The service is free, confidential, and non-regulatory. For more information call Jancie Hatcher at 404.651.5120, 800.685.2443 in Georgia, or e-mail at p2ad@ix.netcom.com.

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