Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Proclaims April 22-28 Energy Conservation Week

Energy Reduction Efforts Underway In All State Office Buildings

April 18, 2007 -- HARRISBURG – Citing the state’s commitment to conserve and reduce energy consumption in state-owned buildings, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed April 22-28 as “Energy Conservation Week” in Pennsylvania.

The week will be highlighted by “Energy Expo 2007” on Thursday, April 26, in the Keystone Building Atrium, which is designed to provide public information about energy conservation methods.

“Conserving and reducing energy is a fundamental practice now embraced by each state agency,” Governor Rendell said. “By using florescent instead of incandescent lighting, eliminating non-essential appliances, turning off power when it’s not needed, and implementing standard office temperature set points, we’ve been able to reduce our energy consumption in state office buildings by nearly 10 percent last year alone.”

Through a 2004 executive order, Energy Management and Conservation in Commonwealth Facilities, Governor Rendell placed the Department of General Services in charge of an energy management and conservation campaign for state-owned facilities. The order required long-term planning for reduced consumption by every executive-branch agency.

DGS then implemented a series of energy conservation measures throughout state-owned and non-state-owned, or leased, facilities.

Employees were asked to remove non-approved electrical devices, including personal toasters, popcorn makers, hair dryers, curling irons, space heaters, refrigerators, lamps, clocks, and radios.

Energy-efficient fluorescent lighting is replacing incandescent lighting throughout the buildings. Additionally, every other light bulb has been removed in overhead lighting fixtures and lights have been turned off in many vending machines. Employees are also encouraged to turn off office lights and use as much natural light as practical.

Employees also are encouraged to turn off power to equipment when not in use, including computers, copiers, calculators and other work aids, at the end of the work day and during the weekend and holiday periods. Additionally, most offices are being vacuumed weekly instead of daily.

Where practical, office temperature set points have been set at 74 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in winter. This excludes areas that have unique environmental needs.

By implementing the new energy conservation practices, the commonwealth reduced energy use by 9.5 percent in 2006, which translated into $1.6 million in savings. The commonwealth’s goal is to realize energy savings of 20 percent by the year 2011.

Also through the Governor’s executive order, DGS has begun to establish energy consumption baselines for each facility in an effort to better manage energy use.

The Energy Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 26 and will be open to the public. The expo will include 55 booths representing state agencies, energy service companies, utilities and transit agencies. They will collectively showcase their energy conservation initiatives and conservation measures.

The Energy Expo will also feature five live performances by the Whitaker Center of “Race to Renew.” The shows will start at 9 a.m. in Hearing Room 5 of the Keystone Building. Winners of a poster coloring contest will be announced and they will receive certificates and donated prizes from the Whitaker Center.

Alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles also will be displayed on North Street.

DGS is responsible for the construction of all capital projects, excluding highways and bridges. DGS also works to incorporate “green” building practices into any new or renovation project. DGS also administers the Energy Service Company program, which is designed to provide energy-efficient rehabilitation of existing facilities.

For more information on DGS, visit www.dgs.state.pa.us.

PROCLAMATION
ENERGY CONSERVATION WEEK
April 22 - 28, 2007

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth is a leading consumer of energy throughout Pennsylvania, and the cost of energy continues to rise and traditional sources of non-renewable energy continue to be depleted at a rapid pace; and

WHEREAS, through my 2004-12 Executive Order on Energy Management and Conservation in Commonwealth facilities, Pennsylvania must demonstrate leadership in conserving and reducing energy consumption in state-operated facilities; and

WHEREAS, the Department of General Services has the primary responsibility for coordinating and implementing a centralized energy management and conservation strategy as it relates to the operation of Commonwealth-owned and leased facilities; and

WHEREAS, energy conservation methods should be incorporated into any new construction project or renovation project by way of Green Building Practices and Energy Service Company (ESCO) Projects; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth will continue to support innovative measures that monitor, restrict and reduce energy consumption by discontinuing the use of incandescent lighting wherever fluorescent technology may be applied, increasing the utilization of natural light, and installing energy-saving lighting products where possible and appropriate in all Commonwealth-owned and leased facilities; and

WHEREAS, the same initiatives used by the Commonwealth to reduce energy consumption can also be embraced by many Pennsylvanians in their own homes; and

WHEREAS, to raise awareness of such efforts, it is fitting that a period be designated within the Commonwealth to promote energy conservation through creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving; and

WHEREAS, the Department of General Services will be joined by several state agencies and commissions, energy vendors, utilities, associations and consultants working to address energy conservation measures as part of a Energy Expo 2007, on Thursday, April 26, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Keystone Building Auditorium.

THEREFORE, I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim April 22 - 28, 2007, as ENERGY CONSERVATION WEEK in Pennsylvania.

GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, this twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and seven, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and thirty-first.

Edward G. Rendell
Governor

Source: Pennsylvania Governor

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