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Press & Announcements |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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| FEATURED PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT: |
| Energy Conservation Partnerships |
| Model Economic & Environmental Responsibility |
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| New business partnerships help schools &
municipalities save money, cut emissions.
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| WEST CHESTER, PA—As public budgets get slashed,
schools and municipalities must find ways to run more efficiently. Fortunately, many are finding
opportunity in this budget challenge. They're entering into Energy Conservation Partnerships, which cut
costs by eliminating energy waste. The end result is not only a reduction in expenses, but a gain in
community leadership and environmental responsibility.
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| The basis of the Energy Conservation Partnership, the brainchild of Practical
Energy Solutions President Paul Spiegel, is a series of conservation measures that, because they reduce energy use and
utility bills, pay off immediately. The program requires no up-front capital because it doesn't rely on advances in
technology or on-site energy generation. Instead, it takes aim at energy waste—an often-overlooked area that is rich with
cost-saving opportunities. In fact, the average person wastes 20% to 50% of the energy he uses, because we all tend to think very little,
if at all, about how we use energy. "Our habits have been formed on the old assumption that energy is unlimited and cheap," comments PES
President Paul Spiegel, P.E., LEED-AP. "This is no longer true, but the good news is that volatile energy prices are becoming a driving
force for positive change. We can take actions that will help ensure a more sustainable and economically predictable future."
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| The Energy Conservation Partnership is essentially a joint venture that promotes
the buy-in and participation of everyone at all levels of a business or institution. Once it's underway, the concept of
energy conservation takes hold from within—and awareness spreads. At Henderson High School, one of three West Chester Area School District high
schools, the partnership triggered a new "Power Down Friday" program. The program—created by the school’s environmental club students, science
teacher Dan Lammey and art teacher Peggy Hartzell-Bennett—helped reduce electricity use 18% and cut electricity costs 12% at the school. "This
is the kind of business-community partnership that makes a real difference for everyone—including students, teachers, faculty and taxpayers,"
said Ms. Hartzell-Bennett. "We feel great because, as a community of students and staff, we can make a big difference through small individual
actions."
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| To make the partnership program work, PES conducts education and awareness
initiatives that target energy waste and use proven behavioral modification strategies to help everyone contribute to a
collective reduction in energy use. PES sets up tracking and verification programs that produce measurable results and keep
everyone engaged. Because the results are benchmarked against historical energy use and site data, the results can be projected
in advance with a high degree of predictability. Typically, the Energy Conservation Partnership program yields a 10% or greater
reduction in energy use and costs.
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Press Releases & Announcements
Spring 2010—Wharton Small Business Development Center student team finds 100% satisfaction rate in PES client survey. Clients cite trust, high level of expertise, and local nature of business as top 3 most desirable characteristics. For more information, contact us.
Feb. 2010—The Daily Local News profiles Practical Energy Solutions President Paul Spiegel, P.E., LEED-AP, and our successful Conservation Partnership with the West Chester Area School District. To download a pdf of the story, which appeared in the Feb. 23 Business Section, click here.
January 2010—Wharton Small Business Development Center selects PES for highly competitive business consulting program through B Corp partnership. Read More...
Archived News Events And Announcements...
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| Case Examples |
- Westtown School. Since Sept. 2008, PES has helped Westtown School
achieve an average monthly reduction in energy use of 12% and cut CO2 emissions by more than 1 million pounds—largely
through conservation. "Since we implemented the PES program, there is much greater awareness about
how we use energy," says CFO Robert W. Connolly. "In one month, we realized a 15% campus-wide cost savings and
a 23% reduction in CO2 emissions over the same month of the prior year. This is conservation in action. This
is what progress feels like."
- Borough of West Chester. The West Chester Borough Hall has realized a 31%
reduction in its 2009 electricity budget, thanks to the PES Energy Conservation Partnership and a rate analysis.
- West Chester Area School District. At the West Chester Area School District, the
program produced nearly a quarter-million dollars in energy cost savings for 16 of the district schools in the first 11 months
of 2009—through conservation alone. Once the program is fully in place, target annual savings of $300,000 (11% of electricity budget)
will be realized.
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| Foundation for the Future |
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| Once in place, the Energy Conservation Partnership creates a foundation for a stronger,
more efficient and cleaner energy future. "Once people experience these achievements, they become more likely to consider additional
steps that may require some capital investment but will lead to even greater energy savings and, ultimately, better budgetary control,"
says Mr. Spiegel. Alternative energy programs like solar panels or geothermal systems, for example, make most sense when they’re
installed in a facility where there is little energy waste and which operates efficiently. As such, the new systems will be producing
energy that is truly needed and put to good use—ensuring a wise investment. PES also provides planning and energy management services
that help customers evaluate these types of investments. "Conservation is the first step. It lays the foundation for a smart energy
management strategy," concludes Mr. Spiegel. "It is the way to truly go green—and pave the way for a better economic and environmental
future."
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Practical Energy Solutions is an independent firm based in West Chester, PA.
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Contact: Paul Spiegel, P.E., LEED-AP, President
Practical Energy Solutions
770 E. Market St., Suite 250
West Chester, PA 19382
Ph 610-430-1382
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Electricity consumption declined 12% and electricity costs dropped 31% at the Borough
of West Chester, thanks to a PES Conservation Partnership Program and rate analysis.
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