ECOMAGINATION

Source: Industry Week
04 April 2006

GE Manufacturing Plans Will Cut Energy Costs
As part of its ecominagination program, over the next two years, 148 GE industrial manufacturing plants and warehouses will undergo lighting retrofits that could reduce annual lighting energy costs at each facility by 50%. The plants and warehouses are located worldwide, with 110 in the Americas, 36 in Europe and two in Asia.

“This initiative is the epitome of ecomagination,” says John G. Rice, CEO of GE Industrial, a business that consists of Consumer & Industrial, Plastics, Advanced Materials, Security, Equipment Services, Sensing, Inspection Technologies and GE Fanuc. “It’s a story of how environmental awareness can become contagious… a world-class lighting ecomagination testimonial in the making.”

The retrofit will allow each location to reduce energy consumption by 1.4 million KwH, realizing $86,000 in energy-cost savings. The projected reduction in energy consumption of all 148 retrofits is 210.5 million KwH resulting in $12.8 million in energy-cost savings. Another forecasted environmental benefit is the production of 155,700 fewer metric tons of CO2, which equates to the ongoing elimination of pollution from nearly 30,000 average-sized cars. GE also plans to pursue an accelerated tax deduction incentive allowed by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

For information about the General Electric Ecomagination program visit:
http://ge.ecomagination.com/@v=03062006_1150@/index.html

We must implement environmentally sound practices” - a lofty and expensive-sounding directive, to say the least. Yet being ecologically friendly and financially prudent need not be mutually exclusive.

Jim Grady, who established LighTec Inc. of Merrimack, N.H., in 1990, had a vision 17 years ago that many New Hampshire business owners have only become aware of today.

Read more… Save Energy… It Makes Good Business Sense

What so great about Compact Fluorescents?

The Flicker is Gone

That’s right, no more flicker. All fluorescents that use magnetic ballasts cycle at 60 Hz. This causes headaches in many people. But now, compact fluorescents use new electronic ballasts, which cycle > 5000 Hz. Bottom line, NO MORE HEADACHES.

The Color is Better

In the past, fluorescents have produced poor color, making colors seem faded and dreary. Today’s compact fluorescents are made with tri-phosphors, which produces light that rivals incandescent.

Why should I spend more for a compact fluorescent?

Because compact fluorescents will save the environment and your money.

90% of the cost of lighting is the electricity. Compact fluorescents will pay for themselves with the savings on your electric bill.

Compact fluorescents also last ten times longer than incandescent light bulbs. You can change your hard to reach incandescents with compact fluorescents that will last for years.

A compact fluorescent lamp can save as much as 700 Kilowatt/Hours (KWH) in its lifetime. Just look at what that does for the environment and your wallet.

*Based on national average of $0.10 per KWH

**Based on US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data for the national average.

That Green Thing 2008 - An Energy Conservation Event
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Event Description

This is an interactive and informative symposium geared to small and mid-sized businesses who want to explore going green and how it can affect the bottom line.

Symposium Topics:

RecyclingEnergy / Carbon offsets
Cost Saving Measures
LEED - Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design
Cleaning & Maintenance

Keynote Speakers:

Vaughn Lazar - The Pizza Man
This unique business has made a commitment to operate green. Every aspect of the business has been affected by the mission.
Julia Dundorf - Carbon Challenge
Learn about the issues and consequences of global warming and specific actions you can take to reduce carbon emissions.

Seminars on these topics will run consecutively throughout the event. Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit with exhibitors who offer products, services and programs for going green. This is a comprehensive event aimed at imparting knowledge and resources to anyone interested in creating or converting to environmentally friendly practices.

Cost: $25 payable at the door. (Cash or check only. No credit cards accepted.) Tickets are available for purchase prior to the event. Simply stop by the Chamber office M - F during business hours.

This event immediately follows the Business NH’s Lean & Green Awards luncheon, also located at the Radisson. For more information on the luncheon, visit www.businessnhmagazine.com

Location :: Click to Map Event
Radisson Hotel
700 Elm St.
Manchester NH 03101

Contact Us

Sponsors

Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH)

University of NH, Manchester (UNH)

Lavallee/Brensinger Architects

LighTec, Inc. - Precision Engineered Lighting Solutions

In a positive step toward reducing energy use, LighTec, Inc. has taken the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR Challenge.

“LighTec, Inc. has been an Energy Star Partner for over 10 years. Our primary function is to provide turn-key, engineered energy efficient lighting solutions for the commercial and municipal sectors. Many of us are taking steps to improve energy efficiency at home but may not realize that there are opportunities to save where we work, shop, play, and learn, as well,” said Kathy Beliveau, Sales and Marketing Manager. “By making energy-efficient choices, we can reduce our energy use and save money while protecting the environment.”

The potential savings are staggering. EPA estimates that if the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings in the U.S. improved 10 percent, Americans would reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from about 30 million vehicles while saving about $20 billion.* Today, leading companies realize that energy efficiency is not only the first step to being green, but is also about smart business. Energy efficiency can have a high return on investment and is necessary in order to remain competitive. Businesses, organizations, and governments that are leaders in energy efficiency use about 30 percent less energy than their competitors.

“The Challenge is a win-win for us and for other New Hampshire-based businesses, schools or municipalities looking to save energy and improve their bottom line,” continued Beliveau. “ENERGY STAR provides the tools and resources to help identify areas for improving energy efficiency and develop a strategic energy management plan.”

ENERGY STAR, a Federal government backed program, is a voluntary program that sets standards for superior energy efficiency in buildings, products, and services. To date, more than 30,000 commercial and industrial buildings have used ENERGY STAR tools to identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements, and more than 3,200 of these buildings have earned the ENERGY STAR.

* Sources: Energy Information Administration. “2003 CBECS Detailed Tables. Table C4A. Expenditures for Sum of Major Fuels for All Buildings, 2003.” December 2006. 1 June 2007 . Energy Information Administration. “2002 Energy Consumption by Manufacturers — Data Tables. Table 7.9 Expenditures for Purchased Energy Sources, 2002.” 2002. 1 June 2007 . Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas and Sinks: 1990–2005. “USEPA #430-R-07-002, Table 2-16: U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Economic Sector and Gas with Electricity-Related Emissions.” April 2007. 14 June 2007 . From Table 2-16 US Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Economic Sector (CPPD Approved Source) Commercial Total CO2 = 1024.98 mmt Industrial - Electricity Related Only CO2 = 679.7 mmt Total CO2 = 1704.68 mmt Using US Climate Technology Cooperation Gateway Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator (CPPD Approved Source/Calculator) 1704.68 Million Metric Tons CO2 = 304,951,699 vehicles; 10% reduction for Challenge = approximately 30 million vehicles (Source: EPA).

NHBB Receives New Environment Friendly Lighting System

As part of its commitment to excellence in environmental performance, New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc. (NHBB) has partnered with Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) in the completion of an innovative lighting system at the Astro Division located in Laconia, New Hampshire.

This new lighting system designed and constructed by LighTec Precision Engineering Lighting Services in Merrimack, NH, will reduce kilowatt hours from 2.2 million to 1.1 million, a savings of nearly $115,000 per year. According to James Grady, President of LighTec, “this project will reduce the yearly atmospheric output of carbon dioxide by 1.5 million pounds, sulfur dioxide by 13,000 pounds and nitrogen oxide by 6,000 pounds…not only are the environmental benefits significant but the employees enjoy the improved working atmosphere generated by the new lighting. It’s a win-win situation.”

Herb Parkhurst, NHBB’s Astro Division Facilities and Environmental Manager says, “NHBB’s overall commitment to the environment, as well as our partnership with PSNH and LighTec will be recognized throughout our industry.” In concurrence with the partnership, Jim Cailler, PSNH Account Executive presented NHBB with an $80,100 rebate check to help offset the overall costs of the project.

The lighting project is one of a variety undertaken by NHBB to enhance environmental performance while increasing operational efficiency, consistent with their goals of continuous improvement and exceeding the expectations of NHBB stakeholders.

LighTec owner Jim Grady has been nominated for the New Hampshire Business Review’s 2007 Business Excellence Award. The winners will be announced on October 3, 2007 at a dinner/reception at The Event Center at C.R. Sparks in Bedford, NH from 5-7PM. Admission is $10.00.

The Business Excellence Awards are given in recognition of the imagination, industriousness, innovation and achievements of people who often don’t get the kind of public recognition that they deserve: small-business owners and operators.

The Business Excellence Awards to be awarded in 14 different categories, honor owners and operators of businesses with 100 employees or fewer. This year’s categories are:

real estate, construction, technology, financial services, retail, transportation, hospitality, health care, law, business services, non-profit, manufacturing, media & marketing and public service.

The Event Center at C.R. Sparks
October 3, 2007
The Event Center at C.R. Sparks
Bedford, NH
5PM-7PM

LighTec Inc. has been awarded contracts for the following projects:

Boston Regional Airport
Manchester, NH

Retrofit the parking garage

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GE Aviation
Hooksett, NH

Retrofit Buildings 1 & 2

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Cole Hann
Greenland, NH

In partnership with Aurora Energy and Beacon Systems, Tewksbury, MA

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Seacoast United Soccer Club
Hampton, NH

Retrofit the indoor soccer fields with energy efficient T5 fixtures.

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Nashua Public Schools
Nashua, NH

Retrofit the gymnasiums with energy efficient lighting.
The project is being performed thru the PSNH Smart Start Program.

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MANCHESTER, N.H. — New Hampshire mayors and town leaders gathered in Manchester Friday to exchange ideas on how to combat global warming.

They talked about putting more police officers on bicycles, using low-energy LED traffic lights and changing their bus fleets over to biofuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also talked about how to incorporate more solar and wind power.

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