Nebraska Energy Quarterly
March 2005
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Conservation Update
Conservation Update
A newsletter of energy efficient projects around the U.S. gas price monitor From Border to Border...
Price Records Set in State
Many gasoline price and diesel price records have been set in the state. In most instances, if a new record was not set, the price has been closing in on the record high. Regular unleaded gasoline prices in Nebraska started rising at the beginning of the year... energy efficient house Breaking Ground...
Nebraska’s Energy Efficient Affordable Single Family House
This new home will demonstrate that quality, energy efficient, environmentally friendly and affordable housing can be built with little or no extra initial construction costs and return a lifetime of savings for the new owners... Towns Work to Meet the Requirements of the New Energy Code

As of March 1, 2005, three of the state’s 69 local code jurisdictions have provided documentation to the Energy Office of compliance with the new Nebraska Energy Code:

Energy Office staff continues to provide assistance to many other communities that are in the process of updating their local codes to meet the requirements of the new law. Most recently, the agency has provided help to North Platte, Fremont and Columbus. Communities needing assistance can contact Lynn K. Chamberlin at lchamber@mail.state.ne.us

The new Nebraska Energy Code allows any county, city or village to adopt and enforce a lighting and thermal efficiency code or ordinance, but requires that the code or ordinance be deemed equivalent — and not result in energy consumption greater than — the Nebraska Energy Code. More Than 700 Attend Training Sessions...
Construction Industry Gears Up for the New Nebraska Energy Code
With Nebraska’s new Energy Code — the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code — scheduled to take effect July 1, 2005, the Energy Office has joinedEnergy Code Training Workshop with a number of the state’s utilities, home builders’ associations and the local code officials’ organizations, to provide more than 20 sessions across the state on the requirements of the new code.

The Legislature adopted the new code after a Nebraska Energy Office study showed an updated code would generate dollar savings from reduced energy in excess of mortgage payment increases due to higher construction costs. Building energy use consumes 42 percent of overall energy use in Nebraska, and is higher than the national average of 34 percent. Studies have continually shown that improving the energy efficiency of new buildings can reduce energy use of those structures by 30–50 percent.

Flocking to Learn About the Code
Since the first code workshop in December 2004 more than 700 people have learned about how to use the new code and how building practices will need to be modified... more> house cut-away A Roundup of New and Updated Web Sites...
Consumer Energy Saving Tips Web Site Updated
The U.S. Department of Energy has launched a new web site with detailed information and tips on how to save money by developing smart energy habits. The site serves as a consumer-friendly portal to detailed energy saving information from various federal agencies. EnergySavingTips.gov provides practical links to help consumers... propane tank Prices Were Considerably Higher...
A Look Back at Propane and Heating Oil Prices
Nebraska's heating oil and propane prices were significantly higher during the 2004/2005 heating season as compared to the previous year. That’s the results from an annual State Heating Oil and Propane Price survey of dealers.
workers blowing insulation into house sidewall Free Home Weatherization Services...
Income Eligibility Levels Change
Like the cranes returning to the Platte River, each year the income level of those eligible to receive home weatherization services changes. This year, the annual income level for a single person household rose from $11,075 to $11,638. For a family of four, the annual income level changed...
WIND TOOLS
  • Zoning and Permitting Issues for Small Wind Turbines
    The American Wind Energy Association...
  • A WindPower Handbook For Publicly-Owned Utilities
    The American Public Power Association has developed...
  • Sources for Wind Power Publications
    If you are looking for a specific publication on wind...
  • school wind turbine Electricity From the Wind...
    A New Lesson for Schools
    Shrinking enrollments, mandated programs, uncertain revenue and rising costs — add fluctuating energy prices to the list of challenges facing rural schools — and juggling a school budget becomes even trickier.“School budgets are getting tighter,” says Jim Tirevold, Spirit Lake School District director of buildings and grounds. “And energy costs are going up.” But Spirit Lake found a solution that not only creates steady revenue but also... Occupancy Sensors...
    Do They Really Save Energy, and How Do They Work?
    Occupancy sensors are excellent tools for controlling lights in classrooms and other places such as locker rooms and restrooms, and they are proven energy savers if they are calibrated and wired correctly... Questions and Answers...
    5% Dollar and Energy Saving Loans
    Q: I am interested in using solar energy in an older farm house in rural Nebraska. I hope to install photovoltaic panels for lights and to heat water. Are there any grants or incentives to install these panels in a home?... News Bytes State Energy Program
    The Nebraska Energy Quarterly is funded, in part, by the U.S. Department of Energy through the State Energy Program.

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    The Energy Wiz answers your energy questions.
    In this issue, the Wiz answers questions about geothermal, solar energy and how to get the most from your heat pump.