Energy Efficiency Working Group

In late 2005, LCRA and about a dozen of its wholesale electric customers formed the Energy Efficiency Working Group (EEWG). Its mission is to research, consider, and implement conservation strategies and energy efficiency measures that may be used to the benefit of retail consumers in this area.

It is the goal of the EEWG to work together to develop materials, training, resources, and programs which will be both cost-effective and beneficial to the consumers within the respective service areas of the wholesale customers who elect to participate in these initiatives.

While the focus of the EEWG is primarily related to the conservation and efficient use of electric energy, it is recognized that the conservation of all resources are of great importance. Therefore the EEWG will consider and support such elements as renewable energy and the protection and constructive use of all the area’s natural resources when developing initiatives.

The EEWG meets quarterly and has started the following initiatives:

Energy Speaker Series
Customer Training
Discounted CFL Purchasing

Meetings and initiatives are open to LCRA's wholesale electric customers. For more information, contact Ti Mougne at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 7950.

Quarterly Meetings

Energy Speakers Series

The EEWG invites subject matter experts to its quarterly meetings to share information and best practices on energy efficiency, conservation, and emerging technologies. Past energy speakers include:

Darrel McMaster, President, Sustainable Homes, Inc.
Kathe Doran, Manager of Energy Management, CPS Energy
Andrew McCalla, CEO, Meridian Energy Systems
Dub Taylor, Director, Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Mark Zion, Executive Director, Texas Public Power Association
Paul Conlan, President & CEO, Enercom, Inc.

Customer Training

Energy Audit Training -

To date, the EEWG and LCRA have hosted three energy audit training sessions. The course instructor, Doug Garrett, CEM is president of Building Performance & Comfort, Inc. Mr. Garrett's training presentations can be viewed below.

November 2008 (Advanced)
March 2008 (Basic)
February 2007 (Basic)

Course graduates include representatives from the following utilities:

Bandera Electric Cooperative	City of Seguin
Bluebonnet Electric Cooerative	City of Smithville
Bryan Texas Utilities	City of Schulenburg
Cap Rock Energy Corporation	City of Waelder
City of Boerne	City of Yoakum
City of Brady	Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative
City of Flatonia	Hamilton County Electric Cooperative
City of Georgetown	Kerrville Public Utility Board
City of Gonzales	New Braunfels Utilities
City of Lampasas	Pedernales Electric Cooperative
City of Lockhart	San Bernard Electric Cooperative
City of San Marcos

Residential Wind Energy Systems Training -

In February 2009 LCRA, the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), and the Alternative Energy Institute at West Texas A&M University hosted a hands-on workshop for residential-sized wind energy systems for LCRA's wholesale electric customers. The training course was instructed by Ken Starcher, Director of the Alternative Energy Institute. Course graduates include representatives from the following utilities:

Bluebonnet Electric Cooerative	Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative
City of San Marcos	New Braunfels Utilities
City of Seguin	Pedernales Electric Cooperative
Fayette Electric Cooperative	San Bernard Electric Cooperative

Discounted CFL Purchasing

LCRA's wholesale electric customers can receive discounted prices on compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) by ordering through LCRA. For more information or to place an order, please contact Ti.Mougne, 800-776-5272, Ext. 7950.

To date, this EEWG initiative has resulted in the distribution of 35,984 CFLs (15 W each). Assuming an electricity rate of $0.10 / kWh, the use of these CFLs would provide Central Texans $1,619,280 in energy bill savings over the bulbs' estimated lifespan of 10,000 hours. Additionally, replacing 60 W incandescent bulbs with these CFLs prevents 6,405,225 lbs of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere. This equates to removing approximately 673 cars from Texas roads.

CFLs and Mercury

Because about 50% of the nation's power comes from coal-fired power plants, using CFLs actually prevents mercury from being released into the air by power plants. A power plant emits about 10 mg of mercury to produce the electricity needed to run an incandescent bulb, compared to only 2.4 mg of mercury to run a CFL for the same amount of time.

Household items containing mercury:

Item	Mercury amount
CFLs	5 mg
Button cell battery	7 mg
Thermometers	500 mg
Old thermostats	3,000 mg

If you break a CFL, follow these tips to play it safe:

1) Open nearby windows to disperse any vapor that may escape.

2) Wipe the area with a damp, disposable paper towel to pick up all glass fragments. Do not use a vacuum, broom or your hands.

3) Place all fragments in a sealed plastic bag and take to the nearest CFL recycling center.

Information Resources

Free Online Energy Audit Programs

Energy Links

Regional Information Sources:

National Information Sources:

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