Energy Conservation

Energy conservation a good idea, but new state agency isn't needed A Montgomery County delegate to the Maryland General Assembly says it's time to look at ways to conserve energy in the state. After watching what's happened in California in recent months, a little conservation would appear to be in order, but we oppose creation of a new state agency. Funding the program would cost each Marylander just 75 cents per month, according to state Sen. Brian E. Frosh, D-Montgomery, prime sponsor of the Energy Savings Investment Program.

Energy conservation tips Columbia Gas advises customers to practice the following conservation tips for an energy-efficient home: - Have your furnace inspected and serviced every year by a qualified heating contractor. - Change your furnace filter every month. - Install a programmable thermostat, which can automatically reduce the temperature setting at night and when you are away from home. - Turn down the temperature of your natural gas water heater to the "warm" setting, about 120 degrees.

ANNAPOLIS - A Western Maryland delegate steamed about a failed light-bulb promotion lobbied Tuesday to outlaw future energy-conservation efforts that leave customers in the dark. Del. Kevin Kelly, D-Allegany, testified for his bill to prohibit the Maryland Public Service Commission from approving any effort like one that went sour for Allegheny Power. He said customers who thought they were getting free light bulbs were "absolutely livid" when they found out they were being charged.

Energy conservation and "green" building are big themes at this year's Home Show, according to Debi Turpin, executive director for the Home Builders Association of Washington County. Home Show 2008 this Saturday and Sunday will feature approximately 185 vendors displaying their wares and services, from windows and doors to heating and air conditioning to home financing. Visitors can walk into Hagerstown Community College's Athletic, Recreation and Community Center and talk to a draftsman about designing a house, get financing and find everything to get a home built or remodeled, Turpin said.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - The Martinsburg VA Medical Center (MVAMC) is receiving an infusion of federal funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Recovery Act package, enacted by Congress in February 2009, will provide infrastructure improvements at the medical center, according to a new release issued Monday. "This funding will help us become more environmentally friendly," Medical Center Director Ann R. Brown said in the release. "At the same time, we hope it will help provide some jobs.

Hagerstown to review peddler permit ordinance The Hagerstown City Council on Tuesday agreed to review a city ordinance that governs the issuance of peddler permits. Councilman Lewis C. Metzner said the council should consider increasing the amount of money that peddlers have to pay for door-to-door permits. The fee currently ranges from $50 to $125, city documents show. Metzner also questioned whether the city charges too much - or a minimum of $1,000 - for a temporary peddler's permit.

laurae@herald-mail.com Over a local lawmaker's cries that it will hurt consumers and businesses, the Maryland House of Delegates voted Tuesday to override the governor's veto of an energy conservation bill. It was the first veto override in 15 years, coming on the heels of last week's override vote by the state Senate. The 92-47 vote fell along party lines, with Washington County's four Republicans backing Gov. Robert Ehrlich's veto. The legislation requires appliances such as ceiling fans and floor lamps to meet higher energy efficiency standards.

Wilson College will host the 5th annual “Energy and You” - a day-long workshop for home and business owners who want to learn how to reduce energy consumption and costs - on Saturday, Feb. 9. This year's theme is “Invest in the Future: Your Energy Options.” The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Brooks Science Complex, with walk-in registration starting at 8 a.m.  John Hanger, who served as Pennsylvania Secretary of...

Wilson College will host the 5th annual “Energy and You” - a day-long workshop for home and business owners who want to learn how to reduce energy consumption and costs - on Saturday, Feb. 9. This year's theme is “Invest in the Future: Your Energy Options.” The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Brooks Science Complex, with walk-in registration starting at 8 a.m.  John Hanger, who served as Pennsylvania Secretary of...

The City of Hagerstown has been awarded a $71,000 grant through the Maryland Energy Administration that will be used to help residents conserve energy in their homes, a city official said Thursday in a news release. The money, awarded as part of the EmPOWER Clean Energy Communities Low to Moderate Income grant program, will be used to purchase and distribute energy-conservation kits to qualified Hagerstown Light Department customers, city spokeswoman Erin Wolfe said in the release.

Potomac Edison residential customers in Maryland have until next week to ask for energy conservation kits that include energy-saving light bulbs, surge protectors and other items. Todd Meyers, a Potomac Edison spokesman, said Tuesday that the utility company has sent out about 120,000 of the kits since the Potomac Edison Energy Conservation Kit Program started in 2011. The final day to claim one of the kits is Dec. 18. “These things can save hundreds of dollars,” he said.

President Obama's principal adviser and chairwoman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality could have toured any school in the nation, but she chose Grandview Elementary School in Chambersburg (Pa.) on Friday.  "I think it's a good example for schools across the country that if you can do it here - you can do it anywhere," Nancy Sutley said of the school built in 1950. She toured the ENERGY STAR-certified school, meeting with administrators, teachers and students to learn how they had implemented cost-cutting energy measures.

Wilson College will host a daylong workshop from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, for home and business owners who want to learn how to reduce energy consumption and costs. Admission costs $10 per household; free for students with ID. Walk-in registrations on Saturday available. No lunch provided with walk-in registrations. Call Chris Mayer at 717-264-4141, ext. 3247, e-mail christine.mayer@wilson.edu or go to www.wilson.edu .

Energy Star provides information about the Energy Star certification program, compact fluorescent bulbs, tax credits for energy efficiency and general information on how to make a home more energy-efficient. The U.S. Government Accountability Office has a report on the vulnerabilities of the Energy Star program Clean Energy , a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency site, can help you determine how clean the energy you use is, how you can reduce your impact and more.

o Pros and cons of energy conservation products o Web sites with information about energy conservation SMITHSBURG -- Becky Beecroft owns a first-generation Honda Civic hybrid. She and her husband, Tom, replaced many of their appliances in their Smithsburg home with Energy Star-certified ones. The couple also uses compact fluorescent light bulbs and low-flow shower heads. Becky Beecroft said she loves her hybrid car, and was especially pleased with it when gas prices shot up a few years ago and the savings became more evident.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs Pros Uses less energy than incandescent bulbs, reducing demand for electricity and amount of mercury emitted from power plants. An Energy Star-qualified CFL bulb will use 75 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb. An Energy Star-qualified CFL bulb will last about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb. An Energy Star-qualified CFL bulb will pay for itself in about 6 months. Cons Disposal isn't convenient because bulbs contain mercury.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - The Martinsburg VA Medical Center (MVAMC) is receiving an infusion of federal funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Recovery Act package, enacted by Congress in February 2009, will provide infrastructure improvements at the medical center, according to a new release issued Monday. "This funding will help us become more environmentally friendly," Medical Center Director Ann R. Brown said in the release. "At the same time, we hope it will help provide some jobs.

HALFWAY -- U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., and his two election challengers laid out their views on the financial bailout plan, education, health care and energy on Wednesday. A Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Plaza Hotel in Halfway brought Bartlett, Democrat Jennifer P. Dougherty and Libertarian Gary W. Hoover Sr. together to talk about issues for just the third time, by Dougherty's count. The general election is Nov. 4. "Our government is too big," said Bartlett, who is seeking a ninth two-year term representing the 6th District, which includes Washington County.