News Bytes
The Industrial Technologies Program E-Bulletin
The monthly E-Bulletin provides news and resources from the U.S. Department Energy's Industrial Technologies Program. Each edition includes the latest industrial news highlights, announcements about new tools and resources, training events, and project opportunities.
The June 2006 edition highlights upcoming webcasts on efficiency for buildings, boilers, combined heat and power, combustion and steam systems and a new version of a sourcebook for improving pumping systems for industry.
Read the E-Bulletin and tap into opportunities to improve industrial energy efficiency today...and tomorrow! Subscribe now!
Energy 2006: Energy Management Workshop and Exhibition
The federal government’s premier annual energy efficiency event of the year, Energy 2006 is scheduled August 6-9, 2006 in Chicago.
The 3-day event includes topic sessions on:
- Planning, design and engineering strategies
- Procurement issues
- Facility energy management programs
- Effective operations and maintenance
- Strategies on project management, life-cycle cost analysis and facility operations.
Energy 2006 is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Division’s Federal Energy Management Program, the Government Services Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
USDA Loan Program Encourages Energy Efficient Homes
In June 2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will loosen its requirements for low- and moderate-income families buying energy efficient homes in rural areas through the Rural Development Section 502 homeownership loan program.The program, called Home Energy Advantage, has different qualifying ratios for home loans for up to two percentage points more if an energy-efficient home is purchased. The program recognizes that owners of energy efficient homes spend less money on utility bills, so they can afford larger mortgage payments. The cost of installing energy-saving features or buying energy-efficient appliances may be included in the loan amount.
The USDA program is similar to Energy Efficient Mortgages, which are offered through the Federal Housing Administration (HUD), a part of the U.S. Department on Housing and Urban Development; the Department of Veteran's Affairs; Fannie Mae; and Freddie Mac. See the HUD Web site for a description of EEMs.
With the recent adoption and implementation of Nebrask's Energy Code, requiring all new construction within the state meet the minimum requirements of the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code, any new home constructed in Nebraska's rural areas should meet the minimum energy efficiency requirements of the Home Energy Advantage program. Additional information regarding energy-saving features or energy efficient appliances you may want to consider including when financing and purchasing an exisiting home is available from EPA's ENERGY STAR®.
West Point Man Gets Utility AwardTom Goulette, city administrator and utility superintendent for West Point, Nebraska was selected in June 2006 by the American Public Power Association as one of four managers to receive this year’s Seven Hats Award. The award recognizes managers who perform a variety of duties in communities of 2,500 or fewer electric meters.
Goulette (right) has served as West Point’s utility superintendent since 1993 and as city administrator since 2001. He was instrumental in the development of the town’s new wastewater system that was activated in 2005. He is active in NMPP Energy, Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, Nebraska League of Municipalities, Nebraska Rural Water Association and the Governor’s Advisory Council for Drinking Water.