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SRP EarthWise Energy is inviting all eligible nonprofit organizations in Salt River Project’s (SRP) service territory to apply for the chance to receive one of three complimentary photovoltaic (PV) systems valued at approximately $100,000 each. These PV systems will allow nonprofits to offset a portion of their energy use while educating the community about the benefits of solar power.

SRP EarthWise Energy is a voluntary program that customers of the Phoenix, Ariz.-based power provider can participate in for as little as $3 per month. All funds the program collects support the donation of solar PV systems to nonprofit organizations in the Salt River Valley. Since 2007, the voluntary fees paid by SRP EarthWise Energy customers have funded six solar PV projects for community-based programs in the greater Phoenix area, with several more in the pipeline.

SRP will evaluate the applications and approve the agencies that meet program criteria. Beginning in February, all EarthWise Energy customers will have the chance to vote for their favorite qualifying agency. The three agencies with the most votes will receive the systems.

To be considered for this program, nonprofits must submit an application by 5 p.m., Dec. 23, 2010. The three organizations selected to receive the solar electric systems will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2011. E-mail questions about this promotion, or call 602-236-2302 to get more information.

DOE’s Tribal Energy Program offers many publications and programs to help Indian tribes develop clean energy and energy efficiency resources:

• Renewable Energy Development in Indian Country: A Handbook for Tribes is an accessible reference for those who are new to energy project development or seek a refresher on key development issues as they navigate the project development process. Developed by Douglas MacCourt of Ater Wynne LLP for the Tribal Energy Program, the handbook supports tribal leaders, tribal economic and energy enterprises with overviews of the renewable energy project development process, discussion on how to protect tribal interests and exploration of financing options.
   
• The recently updated Renewable Energy Development on Tribal Lands brochure provides an overview of the program, including mission and purpose, 129 funded tribal energy projects, renewable energy resource information, education and training, technical assistance, and information resources. Download a copy on the Tribal Energy Program website.
• Technical assistance and services offered by the Division of Energy and Mineral Development (DEMD) in the Bureau of Indian Affairs. DEMD provides technical assistance and scientific information to help tribes and allottees maximize their resource potential from oil and gas, renewable energy, or mineral resources.
• Technical assistance to tribal EECBG recipients—DOE’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) will be undertaking some new initiatives to provide technical assistance to Tribal Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant recipients.  Learn more about TAP for tribal EECBG recipients.
• More technical assistance opportunities are available to assist Federally-recognized Indian tribes, bands, nations or other organized groups and communities with renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. It may include renewable energy technology information, renewable resource information, energy efficiency techniques, project support, system performance modeling, policy information, design review, special studies, strategic energy planning and training. Download the technical assistance request form, fill it out, and forward it to the Tribal Energy Program.
• Student internships are available to current college upper-classmen and graduate students for summer 2011 internships. Students must be U.S. citizens and Native Americans with specific interest in renewable energy. Applications are due Feb. 18, 2011. Download the application, or learn more the internship program, and see comments of past interns and their papers.

The e-magazine Green Technology is compiling an online directory of sustainability, or green programs, at California school districts called Our Green School.

In an effort to save energy and cut operating costs, many schools and districts in that state—and throughout Western’s territory—have implemented programs to promote green building, recycling, energy efficiency, school gardens and more. If you are a California utility that serves one of these schools, urge your customers to add their green school program to the directory.

Those who submit complete information to the directory before Dec. 5, 2010, will qualify for a scholarship to attend concurrent sessions on Dec. 9 and 10 at the Green California Schools Summit in Pasadena, Calif.

Our Green School is an adjunct to the annual Green California Schools Summit and is being created to share information about all kinds of sustainability efforts at California schools. However, schools around the country can get ideas for reducing energy use from green school programs in the Golden State.

Several states in Western’s service territory showed their leadership and achieved significant gains in energy efficiency, according to the 2010 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

The results, released earlier this month, placed California in the top spot for the fourth year in a row, outpacing all other states in its investment in energy efficiency across all sectors of its economy. The state tallied 45.5 out of a possible 50 points in six categories: utility and public-benefits programs and policies; transportation policies; building energy codes; combined heat and power; state government initiatives; and appliance efficiency standards.

Of the four states making the greatest improvements, three of them were in the Southwest.  Utah, tied for 12, up 11 spots from 2009, while Arizona finished at 18, up 11 spots, New Mexico came in at 22, up eight spots. Alaska rounded out the list, moving up eight spots to #37.

Western customers did their part to contribute to the progress these states made in the last year, and we congratulate them. To our customers who want to see their states rank higher next year, we suggest you contact your Energy Services representative today. We have ideas and programs that can help your customers save money and resources—and give neighboring states a little competition in the energy-efficiency sweepstakes. Everyone will be a winner!

Webinar Series Will Help Utilities Save Money & Better Serve Their Customers

Today Clean Energy Ambassadors (CEA) announced its 2010-2011 Lunchtime Webinar Series.

“The webinars for this season will feature local utility managers who have found solutions to some vexing problems, from how to help low-income customers or those who speak only Spanish, to which kind of energy audit is most cost-effective in a given situation,” said Jill Cliburn, a public-power utility veteran who leads the Clean Energy Ambassadors program.

Webinars will be held from noon to 1 pm Central time (11 a.m. to noon Mountain) on the third Tuesday of each month, beginning in November. Presentations will last about a half-hour, followed by questions and answers to round out the hour. Because the Webinars are focused on needs of consumer-owned utilities primarily in the Midwest and Plains states, the discussion can be specific, candid, and informal.

Webinar 1: Low Cost/No Cost Energy Savers – Nov. 16, 2010
Help your customers reduce their bills using measures that are proven to give lots of bang for little bucks. Compare give-away programs, direct installs, and strategies to boost customer follow-through. Speakers from Springfield City Water Light and Power in Illinois and the City of Boulder, Colorado.

Webinar 2: Infrared Cameras – The Utility How and Why – Dec. 20, 2010
Learn how you can use an IR camera to detect and repair distribution system losses, inefficient or failing motors, heat loss from poor insulation, and more. You may even qualify for a free loaner camera and technical support from Western Area Power Administration and CEA.

Webinar 3: Utility Help for Non-English Speakers – Jan. 18, 2011
Find out how other utilities have learned to help Spanish-speaking customers and customers who speak even less common languages. We’ll make handouts available online, pertaining to billing questions and especially to energy efficiency.

Webinar 4: Which Energy Audit Strategy Suits Your Needs – Feb. 15, 2011
Western’s Energy Services Manager Ron Horstman shares experience with all kinds of energy audits, and Linn County (IA) REC’s Steve Carroll shares tips that have worked to ensure that costly on-site audits result in worthwhile energy investments, while customers who have simpler questions get simpler answers.

Webinar 5: Energy Efficiency Tips for Small Businesses – March 15, 2011
Energy Ambassador Jill Cliburn shares tips from the APPA Guide, Energy Matters for Small Business, which she authored. She will also share stories from the field about how some utilities have worked with civic and church groups to expand their reach.

Webinar 6: Schools – A Top Choice for Energy Savings and Outreach – April 19, 2011
Learn about your choices among the programs that are out there to help you help your schools. We’ll start with Iowa schools that have integrated wind energy education with utility support and with the student-centered Green Schools Alliance. Other resources will also be provided.

The Clean Energy Ambassadors website is the Website of the Month in the November Energy Services Bulletin. As most of the utilities in the audience for CEA are also Western energy customers, the webinars will frequently reference resources and best practices from both CEA and the Western program.

Register today for these free educational events!