October, 2014 – Volume 7, Issue 10
Sign Up for a November KY CHP Workshop
Combined Heat and Power – Is it Right for Your Facility? Find out by attending one of two KY CHP Workshops coming up in November.
The Workshop will provide:
- An overview of CHP technologies
- Types of systems available
- Fuel options
- Utility rates and regulations
- Financing options and incentives
- Policies and permit requirements
PLUS, you can get the facts about CHP in a Q&A session with end users and learn how to request a no cost CHP assessment of your facility.
Combined heat and power (CHP) is a proven technology that uses equipment designed to generate both electric power and useful heat energy. CHP is used by many different facilities and is a key part of our nation’s energy mix.
CHP’s high efficiency systems help make businesses more competitive by lowering energy costs, reducing demand on the electricity delivery system, reducing strain on the electric grid and reducing the risk of power disruptions.
Or call KPPC- Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center at (502) 852-0965 to learn more.
The cost to attend is $30 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and all workshop materials. Pre-registration is required. No walk-in registrations can be accepted.
Registration deadline is November 3 for the Bowling Green workshop and November 6 for the Richmond workshop.
A. Raymond Tinnerman Manufacturing Wins 2014 KPPC ES Award
A. Raymond Tinnerman Manufacturing, Inc. has been selected as the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center’s (KPPC) Environmental Sustainability Award winner for 2014. KPPC created the award in 2009 to recognize those Kentucky companies that have demonstrated a commitment to the principles of sustainability by reducing waste, lowering energy use and practicing environmental stewardship. KPPC presents the award each year in conjunction with National Pollution Prevention Week.
This year’s winner, A. Raymond Tinnerman Manufacturing purchased the plant in 2009, however the facility has been operating in Flemingsburg Kentucky since 1959. The company employs about 104 people and manufactures a variety of assembly components for the automotive industry. The company has been actively engaged in sustainability efforts at its facility for a number of years and has been working with KPPC since 2012.
KPPC’s Acting Director, Lissa McCracken, presented the award to plant manager Bill Breeze at the company’s facility on September 24. After receiving the award, Breeze said, “We’ve made energy management and waste reduction a priority, and KPPC has helped us find new opportunities to lower costs and improve our environmental performance. Protecting the environment is important to us, to our community and important to our parent company.”
There have been nine Kentucky companies that have won the Environmental Sustainability Award since KPPC created the award program: Akenbono Brake in Elizabethtown, Denyo Manufacturing in Danville, Fetter Group, Kindred Healthcare and Republic Conduit in Louisville, Sherwin Williams in Richmond, The United States Playing Card Company in Erlanger, Indelac Controls in Florence and A. Raymond Tinnerman manufacturing in Flemingsburg.
You can see a video of the 2014 award presentation, as well as previous award winners on KPPC’s video page.
October is Energy Awareness Month
In 1991, October was designated as Energy Awareness Month by presidential proclamation. The annual event is now celebrated by large and small businesses, non-profit organizations, government organizations and citizens. Each October, energy awareness is promoted through activities and actions to increase understanding of our energy needs and provide information about ways to reduce the amount of energy we consume.
A good source of online information about energy use and efficiency is the Energy.Gov website. The site provides resources that cover home, government, commercial and industrial energy information as well as the latest news about innovative technologies and renewable alternatives.
You can also find many resources at the U.S. EPA’s Energy Star website. Energy Link to External SiteStar is a national program that helps businesses and individuals achieve savings through energy efficiency.
On September 24, 2014, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed a proclamation declaring October Energy Awareness Month in Kentucky to help promote the wise use of energy in the Commonwealth.
Visit KPPC’s Technical Services webpage to learn how your organization can become more energy efficient.
Energy Star “Battle of the Buildings” Competition
The 2014 U.S. EPA’s Energy Star Battle of the Buildings: Team Challenge is at the midpoint in the competition. More than 5,500 buildings nationwide are going head-to-head to reduce their energy use. In support of the President’s Climate Action Plan, which calls for businesses to cut in half the amount of energy they waste over the next 20 years, the competition specifically targets wasted energy in commercial buildings, and will motivate businesses to improve energy efficiency, reduce harmful carbon pollution, and save money.
Competitors must use the EPA’s online energy measurement and tracking tool – Energy Star Portfolio Manager.
For the first time ever, more than 100 teams from all over the country are competing to see who can slim down their energy “wastelines” the most. The team reducing its buildings’ average energy use the most, on a percentage basis, over a 12-month performance period, will be declared the winner.
Team Walgreens takes the lead at competition midpoint
Team Walgreens leads more than 100 teams in a race to reduce energy use in this year’s ENERGY STAR National Building Competition. In just six months, Team Walgreens, with help from Burton Energy Group, has already reduced its energy use by more than 10% across its five competing buildings.
Nipping at their heels is the team from the University of Montana. The Grizzlies have saved more than 9% in the same time period. And rounding out the top three is Red Clay High Schools, who are also edging ahead of their neighborhood competitors at Red Clay Elementary Schools and Middle Schools. Check out the full midpoint standings!
In the first half of the competition, the more than 5,500 participating competitors have slimmed their “wastelines” and saved $26 million in just six months.
Visit the Energy Star website to learn more about the competition.
KPPC at the 38th Governor’s Conference on Energy and the Environment
The annual Kentucky Governor’s energy and environment conference, called “The Changing Landscapes in Kentucky”, was held Oct. 7-8, 2014 at the Lexington Convention Center. KPPC participated by setting up a display booth where KPPC staff were on hand to provide information and publications about the Center’s services and programs.
Each year, agencies within the Energy and Environment Cabinet recognize individuals and organizations that are making positive contributions to Kentucky’s environment.
Congratulations to two of KPPC’s clients that won awards at this year’s conference: the American Synthetic Rubber Co. won the Resource Caretaker Award and Heaven Hill Distilleries won the Environmental Pacesetter Award.
Other winners this are: Smithfield Farmland Middlesboro – KY EXCEL Award; Covington’s Urban Forestry Program – Community Environmental Luminary Award; City of Berea, KY Environmental Foundation and Sustainable Berea – Environmental Pacesetter Award; Ruggles Sign Co. – Environmental Pacesetter Award (Small Business); John Boyd, Energy Services Coalition; Harry Carver; KY Department for Local Government – Energy Leadership Awards; Pine Mountain Settlement School; Eastern Kentucky University – KY Heritage Land Conservation Fund Stewardship Awards.
Second Annual National Bioenergy Day Event – October 22, 2014
Murray State University will be hosting a Bioenergy Day event on Wednesday, October 22 from 11:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M. The event will be held at the Murray State Equine Center on the university’s West Farm Complex and will mark the second annual National Bioenergy Day. “Bioenergy” refers to wood and other organic materials used as an energy source to produce power and heat.
The Murray State event will also feature National Kentucky and MSU Hemp Program Updates and Hemp Harvesting Demonstrations, the Official lighting of the Bio Burner and the announcement of State Wood Energy Grant.
Event presenters Include:
Dr. Len Peters: KY Energy and Environmental Cabinet
Bill McCloskey: Governor’s Office of Agriculture Policy
Emily Ohde: Division of Compliance Assistance
Scott Maas: USDA
Scott Laskowski: LEI Products
Steven Killian: Whayne Supply
Dr. Sam Jackson: Genera
AGCO Equipment Company
Along with many others.
The event is free. Please RSVP by Friday October 17. Registration deadline is Friday, October 17. Learn more about National Bioenergy Day and bioenergy at the national organization’s website.
See What’s New at ESRC
Introducing the Greening Sports Directory – The Greening Sports Directory (GSD) is a comprehensive directory of local, regional, and national contacts and resources to help sports facilities green their operations – whether professional, university-level, or recreational.
Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA) Launches Zero Waste Network – The Zero Waste Connection is a professional social network of zero waste program managers and staff from federal, state, and local programs, as well as independent experts. The site also contains an information clearinghouse of resources to support programs and manage all of the information shared through the site. Learn more about the network on the ESRC Website.
The Environmental Sustainability Resource Center (ESRC) is a member of the Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx™), a national network of regional information centers. The objective of the ESRC is to provide technical environmental sustainability information and training to industrial service providers in EPA Regions 3 & 4. The primary service area for the ESRC is EPA Region 3 & 4. Region 3 includes Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, D.C., Delaware and Maryland. Region 4 includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. ESRC resources and staff are available to users in industry, consulting and universities. Please visit the ESRC website or call toll free (855) 531-3772 for more information.
Read the Latest P2 Pathways Article in GreenBiz
Each month a contributing member of the Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx™) has an article about P2 sustainability initiatives published in GreenBiz.P2Rx™ is a national partnership of regional pollution prevention information centers funded in part through grants from EPA. They build networks, deliver P2 information, and measure P2 program results. The strength of the network lies in the expertise and diversity among the regional centers and the variety of audiences served including government and state environmental agencies, technical assistance providers, businesses, educators, nonprofit organizations and the general public. Read the latest article and past issues on the GreenBiz website.
Upcoming Training, Events and Conferences
- Financing Energy Efficient Upgrades with ENERGY STAR
Learn how public sector organizations are improving energy efficiency with innovative solutions to financial barriers. Attendees will learn about financing projects in the public and private sectors, the basics of performance contracting, and how EPA’s tools and resources can help you make the decision to improve your facilities now or later.
October 21 at 2:00 pm EDT – View more training opportunities and Register for the Webinar.
- Portfolio Manager 101
Get started using EPA’s Portfolio Manager tool. We’ll introduce and demonstrate the core functionality of the Portfolio Manager tool, including how to enter properties, enter energy and water data, share data with others, and generate performance reports.
September 28 at 1:00 pm EDT – View more training opportunities and Register for the Webinar.
- Portfolio Manager 201
Continue to learn about EPA’s new ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool, with a deeper dive into more advanced functionalities such as: managing and tracking changes to your property uses over time; using spreadsheet templates to update property data; setting goals and targets to plan energy improvements for properties; generating and using custom reports; and using the Sustainable Buildings Checklist.
October 29 at 2:00 pm EDT – View more training opportunities and Register for the Webinar.
To view these and other sustainability-related events, please visit the KPPC Events Calendar.