Highlighting the state’s continued commitment to conserve and reduce energy use in state-owned buildings, Gov.. Rendell has proclaimed April 26-May 2 as “Energy Conservation Week” in Pennsylvania.

 

Energy Conservation Week will be highlighted by a “2009 Energy Expo” on April 30, in the Keystone Building Atrium. Department of General Services Secretary James P. Creedon will announce a new energy conservation milestone at noon during the expo.

 

“When it comes to conserving and reducing energy consumption in state buildings, Pennsylvania is leading by example,” Gov. Rendell said. “Our initiatives show that state government is a responsible steward of the taxpayers’ money and that we are working hard to not only reduce our spending on energy, but to also protect the environment from harmful emissions.”

 

Gov. Rendell placed DGS in charge of an energy management and conservation campaign for state-owned facilities through a 2004 executive order. The order required long-term planning to reduce consumption by every executive branch agency.

 

This extensive energy reduction and conservation initiative has reduced energy consumption by more than 10 percent, which translates into $1.6 million in annual savings.

 

At the onset of the energy-saving campaign, 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 state-owned buildings. Motion sensors are being installed in offices. Lights have been turned off in many vending machines. Employees are also encouraged to turn off office lights, turn off power to equipment when not in use, and use as much natural light as practical.

 

Office temperatures have been set at 75 degrees in the summer and 67 degrees in winter.

The Commonwealth has also embraced the latest energy-saving technologies, including load shedding and smart metering. These enable the state to monitor a building’s energy use throughout the day and automatically turn off certain items, such as central air, lamps or hot water heaters that draw energy during peak use times.

 

DGS has begun to establish energy consumption baselines for each facility in an effort to better manage energy use.

 

 

The 2009 Energy Expo, with a theme, “Energy Conservation At Home and At Work,” will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is free and open to the public. The expo will include nearly 60 booths representing state agencies, energy service companies, utilities and transit agencies. Alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles also will be displayed on North Street.

 

The expo reflects the combined efforts of DGS’ Energy Management Projects and Green Procurement Initiatives.

 

Scot Case of Terrachoice, an internationally-recognized expert on responsible sourcing, green supply chains, and environmental marketing, will present at 10 a.m. Presentations on saving energy are planned for 12:30 p.m.

 

In addition to managing energy use in all state-owned buildings, DGS manages all non-highway capital projects, procures nearly $4 billion of goods and services annually, serves as the real estate agent for state-owned land and leases, oversees the commonwealth’s vehicle fleet, maintains all state-owned facilities, serves as the state’s insurance broker, monitors participation in state contracts by minority-and-women-owned businesses, manages federal and state surplus and supplies, and oversees the Capitol Police, Commonwealth Media Services, and Printing and Publications.

 

For more information on the 2009 Energy Expo, visit the DGS Energy Management webpage.