February 2012 – Our Senior Bioenergy and Alternative Fuels Specialist Jim Jensen recently completed Biomethane for Transportation: Opportunities for Washington State for the Western Washington Clean Cities Coalition, along with a two-part webinar about biomethane, Costs and Benefits for Transportation and Transportation Experience and Opportunities in Washington State. These publications support Clean Cities' goals to reduce petroleum use, air pollution and greenhouse gas pollution while supporting local economic development.

Biomethane is produced by cleaning the biogas generated by anaerobic digestion of organic materials such as wastewater solids, livestock manure, food wastes, and yard debris. Biomethane can be used in all the ways natural gas is used, including as a vehicle fuel.

 

January 2012 – Energy experts, Washington residents and other shareholders interested in following state energy legislation need look no further than the Washington State Energy Legislation Tracking Tool for information on current bill activity. The bill tracking tool follows energy bills in the state legislature – including those submitted before the session begins. It features an interactive table detailing the current status of select energy bills. Users can also access legislative websites directly from the tool for additional bill history and information. The tool is available for use by the public through the Washington State University (WSU) Energy Program Library website.

 

December 2011 - The WSU Energy Program Library is a valuable resource for those wishing to lower energy costs this winter. Simple tactics – such as setting your thermostat back a few degrees – can make a difference in your utility bills. Our skilled librarians are available to assist residents of Washington state in several areas of energy efficiency research. They recommend visiting the EERE Energy Savers website or the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiencies website for tips on enjoying an energy-efficient winter season. For more information on the WSU Energy Library, visit their webpage.

 

November 2011 -The WSU Energy Program engineering and software development team partnered with the International Copper Association and the U.S. Department of Energy to produce an International Motor Selection and Savings Analysis (IMSSA) software tool for the People’s Republic of China. IMSSA supports motor systems improvement by allowing users to examine the benefits of replacing their motors with more efficient models. The China tool – called EECO-MOST – displays content in Simplified Chinese Language and contains motor data for over 50,000 metric motors from 23 Chinese manufacturers. For more information, visit the EERE website at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/bestpractices/software_motormaster_intl.html.

 

October 2011 - The Washington State University (WSU) Extension Energy Program has year round unpaid internship opportunities available for Washington state college students. Internships are available in our Applied Building Science, Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency programs. Typical duties can include collecting and organizing data from field monitoring; conducting hands-on case studies and write-ups; and helping to explore which efficiency measures have the greatest potential for the Northwest. Most of our internships are at the Spokane office. Please contact Sheila Riggs at 360-956-2000 for more information.

 

September 2011 - The WSU Extension Energy Program is now part of the social networking scene. Visit us on Facebook or Twitter to discover how we promote environmental and economic well-being in Washington state, our nation and beyond. We also feature energy tips, conference and class information, the latest energy news and much more. Our Wikipedia page is another useful resource where you will find a list of current projects and our program’s history.

 

August 2011 – The Shared Resource Conservation Management (RCM) Program – developed by the Washington State University (WSU) Energy Program in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Commerce – helps public facilities reduce energy and resource use. An RCM tracks and analyzes the resources used in facilities owned and operated by public agencies, and uses the data to establish strategies that enhance energy efficiency in the long-term. Washington’s Shared RCMs are already reporting savings after only a year on the job.  For more information about the Shared RCM Program, see the WSU Energy Program’s RCM Network website.

 

July 2011 – The five-state Northwest Clean Energy Application Center (Northwest CEAC) is headquartered at the WSU Extension Energy Program and covers the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. It is one of eight regional centers in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Technologies Program. The Northwest CEAC focuses on the following technologies: combined heat and power (CHP), waste heat recovery, anaerobic digestion, and district energy. Northwest CEAC website

 

June 2011 – The prescriptive approach is the simplest method of complying with the Washington State Energy Code. However, depending on the prescriptive option and exceptions used, documentation of compliance can be quite complex. A narrated step-by-step training is available online to assist in filling out prescriptive worksheets for residential buildings in Climate Zone 1. The Prescriptive Worksheet Training was created by members of the WSU Extension Energy Program’s code support team. You can stop/start the training as needed and select topics from an outline view.

 

May 2011 – Gil McCoy, Senior Energy Systems Engineer with the WSU Extension Energy Program, has been busy conducting motor management trainings. In April, by invitation of the Resource Conservation Manager of the U.S. Navy, Gil provided motor management training at the U.S. Naval Base in Guam. He also recently conducted a motor survey and motor management training at a Ball Corporation packaging plant in Weirton, West Virginia. Ball Corporation has 32 food and beverage plants nationwide and has enrolled in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Save Energy Now Leaders Program, pledging to reduce energy use by 25 percent within 10 years. Gil provided the services to Ball Corporation at the request of DOE and has been contacted about conducting similar assessments in Pennsylvania and Florida.

 

April 2011 – The WSU Extension Energy Program released a request for proposals (RFP) designed to establish air leakage testing infrastructure in Washington State. Funding will provide testing equipment (blower doors and/or duct testers) and training to qualified individuals and businesses in under-served areas of Washington for compliance with the 2009 Washington State Energy Code. The grants are provided with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds through the Washington State Department of Commerce. Applications are due April 30, 2011. Further details and application instructions.

 

April 2011 – The WSU Extension Energy Program’s building science staff recently produced the video Air Leakage In Homes: The Invisible Thief. Hosted by Rich Prill, the video covers the measurement of building tightness, air sealing for both new and existing homes, and combustion safety. You may choose to view all seven chapters or only those specific to your needs. Video information and links. Also new is the 8th Edition of the Builder’s Field Guide, which outlines accept­able residential construction practices that meet the 2009 Washington State Energy Code adopted effective January 1, 2011.

 

March 2011 – The 2011 Energy/Facilities Connections conference is scheduled for May 11-13 in Leavenworth, Washington. The event brings together facility professionals from schools, universities, municipalities, state and provincial agencies, tribes, non-profits and utilities. Attendees benefit from a focused environment to share best practices, learn innovative technologies, and learn from top-of-the line facility experts. Presented by the WSU Extension Energy Program’s Plant Operations Support Consortium, the conference theme is “Now…More than Ever!” and stresses creative “out-of-the-box” thinking. Details, including agenda and registration information

 

February 2011 – Monitoring the status of energy bills during the 2011 Washington State legislative session is easy. An online tool that tracks energy bills is provided courtesy of the WSU Energy Library. In addition to monitoring the status of a bill, the tool provides links to the full text, amendments, fiscal notes, and more.

 

January 2011 – Lee Link, WSU Extension Energy Program Clearinghouse Division Manager, was recently honored with the Secretary’s Appreciation Award from Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. The award recognized Link’s “superior performance and leadership to assure success for the U.S. Department of Energy in efforts associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.” Link accepted the prestigious award on behalf of the WSU Extension Energy Program. “This honor is for the entire team…” he said. “Their commitment, attention to detail and great customer service paid off – not because of this exciting award – but in the real difference that their efforts made in the energy arena for the country.” More details.

 

December 2010 – The WSU Extension Energy Program recently launched its new website. An enhanced feature is “Meet Our Team.” The searchable database showcases our staff of approximately 100 people (energy engineers, energy specialists, technical experts, software developers, energy research librarians and more). Search by last name or by program area to find short biographies of staff members.

 

November 2010 – The WSU Extension Energy Program’s industrial program is among the winners in "States Stepping Forward: Best Practices for State-Led Energy Efficiency Programs,” the first awards initiative by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). In total, 18 programs from 14 states were recognized for exceptional state-led energy efficiency programs. While the winners differed in their approaches, they all achieve substantial energy savings for customers, lowering energy costs and reducing the negative environmental impacts of energy use. WSU was the only program in the Northwest recognized, and only two – including WSU's – were university programs.

 

October 2010 – A webpage launched September 30 provides current information on American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funding received by Washington State from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The webpage provides links to the DOE Recovery Act website and offers details on the federal energy funding awarded to the Washington State Department of Commerce, as well as to other Washington state agencies, companies, and organizations. Visit the new Washington State Recovery Act Energy Funding webpage.

 

October 2010 – A two-day workshop, Sustainable Communities Start with Healthy and Green Homes, is scheduled for November 9-10 in Seattle. The workshop will explore the connections between the homes and communities where we live and the impact they have on our health. WSU Extension Energy Program staff members Rich Prill and David Hales are speakers at the event, joining others who will share their views of what has worked and what the future looks like. See details, a draft agenda, and registration information at the workshop website sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency.

 

September 2010 – Recent actions between The Boeing Company, the Squaxin Island Tribe and the WSU Extension Energy Program will allow the tribe to enhance youth and senior programs. Boeing donated a 10-unit modular cafeteria complex of approximately 7,200 square feet to the tribe. “The opportunity to secure and relocate this cafeteria complex was brought to our attention by the WSU Extension Energy Program’s Plant Operations Support Consortium,” said Ray Peters, executive director of the Squaxin Island Tribe. “This will save us more than $250,000 and make a real difference in our community programming.” For additional details, see the news highlight in WSU Today (August 10, 2010).

 

August 2010 – David Hales of the WSU Extension Energy Program was one of about 35 experts invited to meet to draft the first-ever national standards for home energy efficiency retrofits. Their June 2010 drafts will be reviewed for applicability in different climatic regions and by national laboratories. They will then be forwarded to Vice President Joseph Biden who is scheduled to release them at the end of September for final public review and comment. In a letter to Hales, Vice President Biden acknowledged that “Your efforts on the Standard Work Specifications … will set the bar for quality in retrofitting homes for energy efficiency in the future…”

 

July 2010 – The Washington State University Extension Energy Program received a 2010 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The award recognizes the Extension Energy Program’s work in promoting and qualifying energy-efficient construction. Despite the recent downturn in the housing market, it is clear that both home builders and home buyers are continuing to invest in high performing homes. Nearly 20 percent of all single-family homes built nationally in 2009 earned an ENERGY STAR label, up from 17 percent in 2008.

 

June 2010 – A number of new trainings offered by the WSU Extension Energy Program are now scheduled. Among the offerings are “Steam System Assessment,” “Heat Pump Commissioning,” and “Duct Testing.” Other classes will prepare students to take the tests necessary to become a certified HERS Rater, Energy Star Homes Northwest Energy Star Verifier, and an Energy Star Homes Northwest Performance Tester. Check out the opportunities, and register on-line at: http://www.energy.wsu.edu/apps/training.aspx

 

May 2010 – The conference “Innovative Approaches for the New Decade” will be held in Leavenworth, Washington, May 12-14. The WSU Extension Energy Program’s Plant Operations Support Consortium is planning the conference to address economic and energy conservation challenges from a facility perspective. Conference tracks focus on custodial, technical, and leadership skills, all aimed at forward-thinking approaches to handling the challenges of the next ten years and beyond. Keynote speakers include State Representative Hans Dunshee; Bob Cowan, Director of Facilities Engineering at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center; and Stephen Ashkin, well known throughout the professional cleaning, education, healthcare, and building-management industries as the "Father of Green Cleaning". More information

 

April 2010 – Schools have many challenges, including maintenance of indoor air quality (IAQ). A recent IAQ News, published for Northwest schools by the Washington State University Extension Energy Program, presents step-by-step guidelines for preventing or dealing with mold. According to the article’s authors, Dave Blake and Rich Prill, mold can be a concern for indoor air quality in both old and brand-new schools. Radon and pest management are topics of other articles in this issue of the newsletter.

 

March 2010 – Carolyn Roos, Ph.D., an engineer with the Washington State University Extension Energy Program, has updated her popular guidebook Clean Heat and Power Using Biomass Gasification for Industrial and Agricultural Projects.  The guide was recently recommended on the bioenergy listserv of the Renewable Energy Policy Project as "The best intro to producer gas and syngas!"  View the publication

 

February 2010 – The Plant Operations Support Consortium publishes Shop Talk, a quarterly electronic newsletter focused on facility operations.  The Winter 2010 edition reflects the diversity of facility issues and successes of Consortium members.  Two articles offer views on the critical topic of security -- one focusing on communication and emergency alert systems at Olympic College, and the second on physical/personal safety from a K-12 school perspective.  Yet another article describes activities at the Vancouver BC Convention Centre as it gears up to host nearly 10,000 international journalists and support staff as they report on the XXI Winter Olympic Games in February.  Visit the following link to view these stories and more: Winter 2010, Shop Talk Newsletter

 

January 2010 – Monitoring the status of energy bills during the 2010 Washington State legislative session is easy. A tool that tracks energy bills is available on the Washington State University Extension Energy Program website, courtesy of the WSU Energy Library. In addition to monitoring the status of a bill, the tool provides links to the full text, amendments, fiscal notes, and more. To use the tracking tool, visit: http://www.energy.wsu.edu/library/bills/energybilltracking.cfm

 

January 2010 – The Washington State University Extension Energy Program is partnering with The Snell Group on a series of trainings called "Infrared for Building Applications." While assessing the condition of your building can be aided by infrared thermography, training is essential for proper use of the infrared (IR) equipment and for accurate assessments. Trainings will be offered in both Olympia and Spokane. A two-day “Residential & Weatherization” course is followed immediately by a two-day “Schools & Commercial Buildings” course. Class size is limited. For additional information, see this flyer

 

January 2010 – The WSU Extension Energy Program recently produced a video called “Duct Sealing for Comfort, Energy and Indoor Air Quality” (16:45 minutes). Hosted by Rich Prill, Building Scientist and Indoor Air Quality Specialist, the video shows how heating and ventilating ducts move air, where common leaks are, and how to fix them. Duct sealing is an extremely cost-effective energy efficiency action that also improves indoor air quality. The video is for building professionals or do-it-yourself homeowners. Even if you aren't planning to do the work yourself, this video shows why it is important to have it done. To view the video, visit: http://vimeo.com/channels/energyexperts#8129040

 

December 2009 – Manufacturing facilities located in Washington may be eligible for newly released incentive funding for energy improvement projects. The $1.2 million funding is part of a $9 million Enron settlement to the state resulting from the energy crisis scandal in 2000-2001.

The WSU Extension Energy Program can provide up to $100,000 per project, and will help conduct energy assessments and teach industrial businesses how to become more energy efficient. Eligible projects include lighting retrofits, steam system improvements, energy efficiency improvements in pulp and paper mills, and refrigeration improvements. “Ideal candidates are energy efficiency projects in need of funds to help ‘tip the scales’ into implementation,” said Todd Currier, Division Manager at the WSU Extension Energy Program.

According to Christine Love, Project Manager, the goal is to have all funds obligated by early 2010. Manufacturers chosen to receive funds will have until late 2010 to complete their projects. For further information, contact Love at (360) 956-2172.

 

December 2009 – A national alliance of farmers, foresters and ranchers has adopted a vision that "by 2025, America's farms, forests and ranches will provide 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States…" Many states have state-level groups working to support this vision.

Washington has already reached this goal, with 25.4 percent of the total energy consumed in the state being both rural and renewable. A new report by Stacey Waterman-Hoey, WSU Extension Energy Program, analyzes state energy data and recommends that Washington “consider adopting a stretch vision.” To view the report, Estimating the Contribution of Rural Energy Sources to Washington State’s Energy Production and Consumption, visit http://www.energy.wsu.edu/documents/renewables/WARuralEnergyUseNov2009.pdf

 

December 2009 – Manufacturing facilities located in Washington may be eligible for newly released incentive funding for energy improvement projects. The $1.2 million funding is part of a $9 million Enron settlement to the state resulting from the energy crisis scandal in 2000-2001.

The WSU Extension Energy Program can provide up to $100,000 per project, and will help conduct energy assessments and teach industrial businesses how to become more energy efficient. Eligible projects include lighting retrofits, steam system improvements, energy efficiency improvements in pulp and paper mills, and refrigeration improvements. “Ideal candidates are energy efficiency projects in need of funds to help ‘tip the scales’ into implementation,” said Todd Currier, Division Manager at the WSU Extension Energy Program.

According to Christine Love, Project Manager, the goal is to have all funds obligated by early 2010. Manufacturers chosen to receive funds will have until late 2010 to complete their projects. For further information, contact Love at (360) 956-2172.

 

December 2009 – The WSU Extension Energy Program recently released the first of a two-part study indentifying trends and workforce issues in the energy efficiency industry in Washington. The research can assist employers as well as educators and trainers to support continued growth in the energy efficiency industry. The report, Energy Efficiency Trends and Workforce Development in Washington State, is available at: http://www.energy.wsu.edu/documents/workforce/Energy_Efficiency_Workforce_Study.pdf

 

November 2009 – Governor Christine Gregoire recently announced more than $14 million in grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for programs providing energy efficiency upgrades to middle-income homes and small businesses in Washington. The Washington State Legislature directed the WSU Extension Energy Program to identify, select and administer these community grants across the state.

Eight private and public projects – Pioneer Human Services, the Opportunity Council, the City of Ellensburg, Snohomish County PUD, Sustainable Living Center, Sustainable Works, the Thurston Economic Development Council, and Clark Public Utilities – were selected by an independent review committee based on their ability to:

• Increase energy efficiency in residential and small commercial buildings – reducing energy use and utility expenses for middle-income residents of our state.
• Create or retain jobs in Washington.
• Leverage other funds.

Work will take place in these counties: Clark, King, Kittitas, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Walla Walla, and Whatcom. "These projects demonstrate bold steps our state is making to increase energy efficiency in our neighborhoods and help create jobs and economic growth throughout Washington," said Jake Fey, Director of the WSU Extension Energy Program.

 

October 2009 – On September 1, 2009, staff members of the Plant Operations Support Consortium--Bob MacKenzie, Larry Covey, Sue Brown and Phil Partington--were welcomed as WSU Extension Energy Program employees. Since 1995, the Plant Operations Support (POS) Consortium acted as a clearinghouse for facility managers at state agencies, colleges, school districts, ports and municipalities. With its credo of "Don't Re-invent the Wheel," the Consortium now includes hundreds of members with varied experience and expertise who regularly share solutions and lessons-learned. Staff members are housed at the WSU Extension Energy Program office in Olympia. For more information about the POS Consortium, visit http://www.energy.wsu.edu/apps/PlantOperations.aspx

 

September 2009 – Erin Kanoa, Hydrogen, Fuel Cell, and Geothermal Specialist at the Washington State University Extension Energy Program, authored a guest article published in the textbook, Introduction to Environmental Engineering. The textbook by P. Aarne Vesilind, Susan M. Morgan, and Lauren G. Heine was published in May 2009. The topic of Kanoa's article is "Biogas to Energy Using a Fuel Cell." For more information on the WSU Extension Energy Program's work in the field of hydrogen and fuel cells, visit http://www.energy.wsu.edu/projects/renewables/H2FuelCells.cfm

 

August 2009 – The Washington State University Extension Energy Program was recently recognized with a "2009 ENERGY STAR for Homes Leadership in Housing Award" from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The award was presented to the Extension Energy Program for its work in "verifying more than 1,000 ENERGY STAR qualified homes in the past year."

 

July 2009 – On April 23, 2009, the Washington State University Extension Energy Program began operating the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Recovery Act Clearinghouse. The new clearinghouse helps increase the availability of information about DOE's "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" activities, and informs DOE about what is learned from interactions with the public.

The Recovery Act Clearinghouse provides initial consultations and, when appropriate, makes referrals to other information sources (e.g., websites, documents, DOE staff). For further information about the clearinghouse or the Recovery Act, visit: https://recoveryclearinghouse.energy.gov

 

June 2009 – Rich Prill and Rick Kunkle of the Washington State University Extension Energy Program recently completed a market transformation pilot project that created a rating system for scoring the performance of commercial buildings. The rating system addresses factors such as building energy performance, operation and maintenance of roof-top HVAC units, and building occupant satisfaction. Six buildings in Washington State were recruited and used to obtain input from the building owner/manager, occupants, and O&M service providers and to field test the proposed rating system tools. The project’s final report, which includes score cards developed and tested by the project, is available at: http://www.energy.wsu.edu/documents/building/project/Commercial_Bldg_O&M_Rating_System_Prill.pdf