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Model Energy Communities is the new name for Leading by Example program
Columbus Water & Light begins 2008, the utility’s 110th year of operation, with several new initiatives for improving energy efficiency in the Columbus community. As a member/owner of WPPI, CWL joined the statewide energy program, Wisconsin Focus on Energy. The utility will use a plugged-in hybrid vehicle for staff transportation and monitor the installation of LED street lights for energy use, durability and safety. Finally, the utility will assist city government with the administration of a WPPI grant aimed at helping the city ‘Lead by Example’ in using energy efficiently.
Since the beginning of the Commitment to Community program in 2000, Columbus Water & Light has promoted energy efficiency to its customers. Grants have been provided to commercial and industrial customers for upgrades of lighting and improved compressed air systems and motors. Residential customers have received incentives for planting shade trees and tuning-up central AC equipment to reduce air conditioning use. Assistance has been available for removal and proper disposal of working spare refrigerators and freezers. Customers have also been able to benefit from rebates on ENERGY STAR® appliances and lighting fixtures and bulbs. Beginning in 2008, all prescriptive Focus on Energy rewards for installing approved energy efficient equipment are available to CWL commercial and industrial customers. Programs for residential customers will continue as in the past with a few additional programs now available to apartment owners. Customers can go to the FOE website, focusonenergy.com, for additional information or call 800-762-7077.
A new hybrid car joined the vehicle fleet at the utility. It will conserve gas and use electricity as much as possible for in-town transportation of staff. A WPPI grant will be used to convert the standard Prius hybrid into a plugged-in hybrid electric vehicle, PHEV. A large Lithium-ion battery and new controls will be installed in June. The batteries will be chargeable from a standard wall (120V) outlet. The car will go about 30 miles on a charge when driven at 35 mph or less, so around town it will operate solely on electricity, quietly and cleanly. The cost of operation will be equivalent to $1 per gallon gasoline..
A new set of street lights employing light-emitting diodes, LED’s, is being tested on the south end of Dickason Blvd. This is the same light source as the traffic signal lights in Columbus provided by CWL over six years ago. The street light LED’s are white and the heads designed to distribute light precisely in the most effective pattern. CWL is measuring their energy efficiency and testing their reliability. The new technology promises better visibility in addition to longer life and less electricity use..
The WPPI Leading by Example grant was awarded to the city of Columbus and CWL in March 2008. The grant will partially fund the employment of a professional coordinator to assist the city and its homes and businesses with improving their energy efficiency. CWL will provide technical assistance and funding for specific energy conservation programs and projects. The Columbus mayor will appoint a citizen’s advisory committee to select and recommend specific actions to achieve a 10% reduction in energy use by city facilities and to encourage the community to do likewise..
With 2008 being the 110th year for Columbus Water & Light, the community-owned, not-for-profit utility is proud to continue its long tradition of making Columbus a better place to live and do business and to play an important leadership role for energy efficiency in Columbus.
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