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

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.

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.