Published: May 07, 2007 07:22 pm         

Group finishes energy-saving audit

FAYETTEVILLE — A group of environmental volunteers Monday wrapped up a project of inspecting Fayette County-owned properties to find energy-saving methods that began early last month.

The West Virginia Sustainable Communities Project, a local arm of the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), conducted an energy audit of the Sheriff’s office, the Prosecuting Attorney’s office, the Judicial Annex, the West Virginia University Extension Service office, and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building.

Doug Arbogast, project coordinator for the Lansing-based group, was joined in the walk-through by project intern Michael Costello and Bill Willis, a representative of the state Development Office’s Energy Efficiency office.

“We basically counted bulbs and light fixtures, as well as the length of time they’re on each day,” explained Arbogast, of the two-hour procedure.

A similar audit was performed in early April on the 112-year-old Fayette County Courthouse. A few weeks later, the group unveiled its findings and posited to Fayette county commissioners that the county could enjoy estimated annual savings of $2,917 in reduced energy and maintenance costs by making some proposed lighting changes.

While the changes advocated by Arbogast and Willis would initially cost $9,986, those expenses would be recouped in consequent savings within 3.5 years, the group stated.

Willis will now crunch the numbers from Monday’s audit in a software program he uses. That, said Arbogast, will generate a report similar to what was provided to commissioners on the courthouse study.

“According to commissioners, they’ll make a decision based on all of the buildings at one time,” Arbogast added.

“It will take a few weeks, but Willis and I will come back to the commission and present a final report and answer any questions about the grant process. Once the audit is complete, they will be eligible for a matching grant that would offset half the cost of the materials and labor for the upgrades.”

County officials are asked to provide $20,000 in seed money, which would be matched in kind by a Development Office grant earmarked for lighting efficiency upgrades.

The endeavor is part of a yearlong pollution prevention effort sponsored by DEP, the Student Conservation Association and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.

Sustainable Communities members work to educate residents in Braxton, Fayette, Gilmer and Nicholas counties about opportunities for energy and water conservation and waste reduction.

To schedule a free assessment of energy and water use or to bring the Sustainable Communities project to a community organization or business, call Arbogast at 619-0668 or e-mail him at darbogast @thesca.org.

— E-mail: mhill@register-herald.com