Both energy conservation and the efficient use of resources can increase a facility's productivity and reduce costs. We offer a wide variety of support to operations and maintenance (O&M) and other staff at schools, local and state agencies, nonprofits and other facilities.
Current Projects
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Our applied building scientists provide technical assistance and recommend practices and procedures for improving IAQ in Northwest schools and other facilities. For information on programs and resources, visit our Indoor Air Quality webpage.
One area of IAQ focus is training and technical support for Northwest Tribes, with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For details, see the Tribal Indoor Air Quality website.
Plant Operations Support Consortium
The WSU Extension Energy Program manages the Plant Operations Support Consortium – assisting facility managers across the Pacific Northwest with their maintenance, custodial, procurement and surplus, leadership training and technical needs. See our Plant Operations Support Consortium website.
Resource Conservation Management
Resource Conservation Managers (RCM) and Resource Efficiency Managers (REMs) are acquired by an agency to support its energy and resource efficiency program. They work to reduce energy, water, natural gas, fuel oil and other utility expenditures. We support the creation and successful implementation of RCM and REM programs through program and technical support. Visit the Resource Conservation Management website.
Past Projects
Portable Classrooms Research
Our staff, along with staff from the Oregon and Idaho energy offices, studied both new energy-efficient portable classrooms and a retrofitted classroom (originally built in the 1970s). Results from these studies are provided in the 2003 final project report. As a result of these studies and additional computer modeling, project staff developed these guidelines for portable classrooms in the Pacific Northwest: