March – April 2000 Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

DOE/EE-5124

Rebuild Austin Honored as

250th Partnership

View from DC –

Strategic Partners

Continued on page 11 Continued on page 6

Rebuilding Shelby Rebuild Presidio &

Tenant Buy-in

Portland Peer Forum

Convenes

White Reflective Roofing

& Energy Savings

Austin Media Whirl

Using a Fire

Station to Ignite 

a Partnership

Sometimes, help can be

found in the most unlikely

of places. Just ask Rita

Hutcheson, chief of the

Thurston County Fire

District 4 in Rainier, WA.

Initially Hutcheson was

seeking a cost-effective way to replace the concrete

block garage-style structure dating back to the ‘50s

that housed the fire station and police department

in this economically depressed corner of western

Washington state. Eighteen months ago, she

stumbled upon the Rebuild America program while

taking a grant writing course in Reno, NV. The

instructor was involved with a Rebuild Nevada

partner that was using alternative technologies in

designing a public golf course (Partner Update,

July-August 1999). She steered Hutcheson to

Seattle Regional Team Leader Paul Johnson who

helped set things in motion. Program

Representative Scott Wolf followed up by giving a

Rebuild America presentation to the fire district’s

commissioners, town council members and

interested citizens that helped to ignite interest.

“It’s an outstanding opportunity for us,” says

Hutcheson, who leads the Thurston County Fire

District 4 partnership. “It gave us some hope and

Chief Rita Hutcheson

Rebuild Austin (TX) hosted the

250th Rebuild America Partnership

Celebration in grand Texas style 

on February 17.

U.S. Department of Energy

(DOE) Secretary Bill Richardson

joined U.S. Congressman Lloyd

Doggett, Austin Mayor Kirk

Watson, partnership representatives

Rev. Marvin C. Griffin and I.Q.

Hurdle, and other local and state

officials at a neighborhood block

party outside the historic Ebenezer

Baptist Church to honor Austin as

the 250th Partnership. The

occasion, an eagerly awaited

milestone for Rebuild America,

culminated with Mayor Watson

declaring February 17 as "Rebuild

America Day" throughout Austin.

The Rebuild Austin partnership

plans to transform buildings in the

economically depressed East Austin

neighborhood surrounding

Ebenezer Church into models of

energy efficiency. Targeted

buildings include the Ebenezer

Baptist Church, an educational

center, a daycare center, small

businesses, senior housing and

low-income housing. One 

building will be converted into a

training center to provide job skills

for local residents and new

business opportunities for the

community. Austin Energy, the

local utility and a Rebuild Austin

partner, has donated a 6-kw roofmounted photovoltaic panel system

for the daycare center.

MetalOptics, a manufacturer of

efficient lighting fixtures, has

donated over 50 energy-saving

fixtures to the church. 

"By working through a churchbased neighborhood, Rebuild

Austin and DOE are successfully

addressing community concerns

Austin City Council Member Willie Lewis, left,

joins Energy Secretary Bill Richardson at the

Rebuild Austin event.
U.S. Department of Energy

View from DC

By Mark Bailey

It is appropriate that Rebuild Austin, our

250th partnership, embraces a key Rebuild

America theme of using energy efficiency as a

catalyst for community improvement and

economic development. Led by the East

Austin Economic Development Corp.

(EAEDC), Rebuild Austin has a strong partner

in the church-based community that is 

redeveloping its neighborhood. Much of the

groundwork that challenges new partnerships

is already in place, leaving Rebuild Austin well

positioned to help boost community

redevelopment efforts by introducing an

energy-efficiency component. Rebuild Austin

is a case in point about how to structure a

successful partnership by working within the

existing framework of a community and a

worthy role model for new partnerships.

In addition to reaching the 250th partnership

milestone, Rebuild America is making steady

progress in directing outreach efforts to areas

where we can have the most impact. Rebuild

America has developed strategic partnerships

with the following organizations:

• The Association of Higher Education

Facilities Officers

• National Association of Housing

Redevelopment Officials

• National Association of State Energy

Officials

• National Association of Energy Service

Companies (NAESCO)

• National Conference of State Legislatures

• Health & Human Services/Head Start

Program, Southeastern Region

Rebuild America and our Strategic Partners

share mutual target audiences as defined by

the Rebuild America market sectors: higher

education, K-12 schools, commercial, public

and assisted housing, and municipal and state

government. With the help of our Strategic

Partners, Rebuild America seeks to convey the

Livermush, a little-known

delicacy, is just one of many

special qualities the town of

Shelby, NC has to offer, according

to Ted Alexander, partnership

leader of Rebuild Shelby and

executive director of the Uptown

Shelby Association. But perhaps

this charming small town is better

known for its remarkable historic

district that serves as a draw for

visitors. Alexander addressed how the town is revitalizing its historic

district and creating a catalyst for economic development with the help

of Rebuild America, the Community Education for Enterprise

Development and the National Main Street programs at a lecture at the

National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., on February 17. Titled

“Community Revitalization Through Energy Savings,” the lecture was part

of the Buildings for the 21st Century Lecture Series presented by DOE’s

Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs.

Alexander shared the town’s experience in seeking to blend the goals

of energy efficiency, small business development and historic

preservation without compromising the character or features of the

buildings. The results have proven to be anything but “mush.” During

the past several years, Rebuild Shelby has completed 13 building retrofit

projects and two efficient new construction projects. Total project costs

to date have exceeded $9 million dollars, $1.3 million of which was

spent on energy conservation measures. Rebuild Shelby is now working

on four more projects that include the historic uptown Rodgers Theater,

built in 1936. 

Many Rebuild Shelby projects have benefited from the expertise of the

Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the

architectural firm of Holland, Harrick and Patterson, a key Rebuild

Shelby partner.

The First National Bank, a historic landmark, has undergone one of

the most extensive renovations to date. Energy-efficient windows with

low-e technology and argon-filled double panes were installed.

Insulation was added and a more efficient HVAC system was installed.

Lighting upgrades included T-5 electronic ballasts and modern

fluorescent lighting systems. With its facade restored and building

envelope rendered energy efficient, the bank now provides a

comfortable, efficient and welcoming environment.

Shelby’s City Hall, built in 1939, is currently undergoing

Rebuilding Shelby: A

Historical Perspective

2 Continued on page 8

Continued on page 5

A house built in Shelby in 1936 gets a

new life as an insurance office.
U.S. Department of Energy

By Laura Keresty

Rebuild Presidio faces a particularly

difficult challenge of how to preserve

and enhance the Presidio while achieving

financial self-sufficiency over the next

decade. The partnership strives to

positively effect tenant behavior through

education. Generating the millions of

dollars needed to upkeep a national park

is hard work, but convincing tenants to

be energy conscious without a billing

system based on energy consumption is

harder still. Tenant utility costs are

typically included in lease agreements at

a fixed, rather than a variable, rate.

To address energy-efficiency issues,

Rebuild Presidio has leveraged a number

of resources – Green Building

Guidelines, sub-metering and utility 

grant money – all of which will prove to

help meet the needs of both the Trust

and its tenants.

Here are some of the ways Rebuild

Presidio is addressing its efficiency

challenges:

Challenge #1: Tenancy of Historic

Buildings 

Some 470 of the park’s 770 buildings

are historic, representing at least nine

major architectural styles that span the

Presidio’s 222-year history. Designated as

a National Landmark District in 1962, the

Presidio must take special care in

upgrading these cultural treasures to state

and federal standards. The fact remains

that tenants of historic buildings are not

subject to California State Energy

Efficiency Code.

Solution: For the first time, Green

Building Guidelines were published that

incorporate environmentally sensitive

construction practices into historic

building rehabilitation. Use of sustainable

elements will reduce energy usage by 30

percent by 2001, four years sooner that

the federal government requires.

Challenge #2: Energy Monitoring

The oldest continuously operated

military post in the nation, the 1,480-acre

Presidio functioned as a unit with a

single utility meter. Specific information

about each building is not available.

Solution: In September 1999, submeters were installed, allowing energy

usage monitoring of individual buildings.

Non-residential tenants will access their

energy use history through a park-wide

energy management system. The data

provides the information needed to

quantify energy saving efforts.

Challenge #3: Credible Source 

of Information

Small businesses do not generally have

access to information about successful

projects within their community or the

resources for research and training. They

may be skeptical of information from

service providers.

Solution: With the aid of a $200,000

grant from Pacific Gas and Electric

Company (the Presidio’s local utility

provider), an Energy Efficiency

Community Outreach Program will be

implemented this year to motivate

Presidio tenants to exercise wise energy

use practices. Rebuild Presidio’s

credibility comes from providing

information as agents of awareness

without direct financial benefit. 

• A door-to-door membership

campaign will urge commercial

tenants to join the energy-efficiency

program, which will educate

organizations about their energy

consumption and conservation

methods. 

• A “buying group” will make energy

products more accessible to small

businesses. 

• Success stories will illustrate how

simple behavioral changes affect

energy use, helping tenants

understand the labor and

maintenance savings

Rebuild Presidio: Getting Tenants to Buy into

Energy Efficiency

Created by Congress in 1996, the Presidio Trust is charged with preserving and enhancing the Presidio, a former military base,

as part of the National Park System while achieving financial self-sufficiency by fiscal year 2013. Leasing and other activities

must generate the $37 million required annually to make non-coastal areas of the park financially self-sufficient and fund

long-term infrastructure improvements. In 1995, the Presidio Alliance was created as an advocate for Presidio tenants and the

public. In 1999, the two organizations joined the Rebuild America program as Rebuild Presidio.

Continued on page 4

3

The scenic Presidio grounds overlook the 

Golden Gate Bridge.
U.S. Department of Energy

Nearly 100 partnership representatives

and leaders traveled to Portland, OR to

learn from each other at the Seattle

Region’s fourth Peer Forum, March 1-3.

Paul Johnson, Seattle Regional Team

Leader, said the purpose of the Forum

was to “provide partnerships a chance to

learn new techniques by interacting with

their peers, discover resources available

through Rebuild America, and understand

the relationship between community

improvement, energy efficiency and

environmental issues.” Cyane

Dandridge (Strategic Energy

Innovations), Curt Nichols (Portland

Partners for Energy Efficiency), Ken

Baker and Sue Seifert (Rebuild Idaho)

collaborated in planning the Forum.

On the first day, Baker and Seifert led

everyone through the small-group

“Getting to Go” simulation, which Baker

explained:

“We want reps to experience what their

partnership champions face, so in the

game each rep role-plays a city official or

community member. They have to build

a group consensus around Rebuild

America and move it forward, working

within their prescribed role’s agenda and

responsibilities.”

Janice Boman of Seattle City Light

said “Getting to Go” offered insights on

overcoming challenges, noting that “we

had to confront conflicting priorities,

navigate hidden agendas and answer

citizens’ pointed questions – a good

reflection of what we face in the field.”

The Forum’s sponsors were current

and potential Rebuild America Business

Partners, including Avista Corporation,

NORESCO and Portland General Electric.

The majority of the Forum was devoted

to exploring practical solutions for issues

that partnership leaders are facing now.

Mike Heidemann described the

Pershing County (NV) School

District’s challenge: “We have roughly

1,000 students in a community of just

under 3,000, located in one of the largest

counties in the country. Plus, we’re 100

miles from Reno, and it is difficult to

interest contractors in our projects.”

At more than a dozen tables, peer

groups brainstormed creative solutions.

Their suggestions included partnering

with the five neighboring communities

that, unbeknownst to one another, are

also Rebuild America partnerships;

expanding the project to include civic

and large commercial buildings;

exploring on-site power generation 

like solar and micro-turbines; and

enlisting utility providers with Rebuild

America Business Partners to leverage

available resources.

“The feedback was amazing,”

Heidemann said. “It was fantastic to

have so much enthusiasm and expertise

focused on helping my partnership

succeed. We’re definitely energized to go

back home and make this work.”

Seifert was also thrilled with the

hundreds of networking connections

made, project questions answered and

creative solutions found.

“Helping each other succeed, that’s

what Rebuild America is all about,” 

she said.

Real Solutions for Real Problems: 

Peer Forum Brings Out Partnerships’ Best

associated with energy-efficient products. 

A main focus of the Presidio mission is to become a model of

sustainability through the use of new technologies in the areas

of green building, recycling, water conservation, waste

management, transportation alternatives and energy

management. Measurement tools will provide

information on the program’s success and continue

to inspire Presidio tenants about energy efficiency

and the importance of such a commitment. The benefits from

the Rebuild Presidio partnership abound, but not without the

building of community through this transition from active Army

base to National Park, as landlord and tenant together.

Laura Keresty, executive director of Presidio Alliance, is

partnership leader of Rebuild Presidio. For more information,

contact the Alliance at 415-561-3993 or e-mail pal@igr.org. 

Rebuild Presidio 

Continued from page 3

Larry Schoff,

Rebuild

America K-12

schools

representative,

makes a point

during a Peer

Forum roleplaying

exercise.

4
U.S. Department of Energy

5

Rebuild America Briefs

benefits of boosting energy efficiency

in buildings to those who make or

influence decisions about how

buildings operate. 

With NAESCO, for example,

Rebuild America works to connect

companies who offer services and

advice with communities that are

looking for information. Strategic

partnerships offer Rebuild America

some key advantages, including:

• Greater avenues for

communication to our target

audiences

• Combined technical resources to

reach these audience with

information about building

energy efficiency

• An ability to disseminate

information and provide

endorsement/support of energyefficient technologies and

practices

Through our Strategic Partner

relationships, Rebuild America will

gain a better understanding of the

needs and motivations of our

different target audiences and how to

best help them. We will discover the

most effective ways to engage these

large memberships in energyefficiency projects and learn more

about the barriers and obstacles they

face in implementing building

retrofits. 

Mark Bailey is national program

manager of Rebuild America.

View from D.C. 

Continued from page 2

DOE staff assists Superintendents

Club...Staff from Argonne National

Laboratory, Brookhaven National

Laboratory, and the Boston Regional

Office spoke at an emergency meeting of

the Superintendents Club of New York

City on February 23, called in response to

the high cost of heating oil in the

Northeast. The meeting focused on

immediate measures building owners and

superintendents can take to operate

heating and hot water systems at greater

efficiency to cut oil consumption without

threatening the comfort of tenants. 

For more information, contact Jim

Cavallo, Argonne National Laboratory at

630-252-8688 or Tom Butcher,

Brookhaven National Laboratory at 

631-344-7916. 

Rebuild Little Rock gets high

marks...Rebuild Little Rock's

participation in the U.S. Department of

Energy's “Lighting in the Library” activity

was featured in the Christian Science

Monitor on January 18. The article

describes the efforts of ninth graders at

Central High School to track energy

performance and areas of potential 

savings. The students are calculating the

amount of electricity used to light school

libraries and examining the feasibility of

investing in energy-efficient lighting

fixtures for all five Little Rock high

schools. At the end of the school year,

the students will present their findings to

the Little Rock School Board. Teachers

call this a “groundbreaking initiative” 

that effectively will incorporate an energy

component into the existing curriculum

and put student recommendations 

into action.

To review the article, visit

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/science/

DailyNews/physics000118.html

Targeting energy waste...The City of

Reno partnership is completing an energy

retrofit aimed at saving $1.6 million in

energy costs over the next 20 years.

Sempra Energy Services, Inc., a Rebuild

America Business Partner, worked with

the City to install new lighting in city

buildings and park structures, variable

drives on hot water pumps, and more

efficient controls on heating and cooling

systems. Seven City facilities will be

equipped with Energy Management

Systems to make it possible to monitor

and control energy use remotely and to

troubleshoot the building's mechanical

systems from a central location. An April

30 partner recognition event is planned

with Mayor Jeff Griffin serving as guest 

of honor. 

Finding Greener Pastures in the

Desert...The City of Scottsdale (AZ), a

partner with Rebuild Arizona, is finding

things a little greener around the city

these days, thanks to the city's active

Solar Energy Program and Environmental

Year programs. In October, the city and

their partner, Arizona Public Service

Company (APS), held a dedication

ceremony to celebrate their first solar

installation on public property in Arizona.

The project encompassed installation of

an 8,000 square-foot, 34-kw photovoltaic

roofing on employee parking lot carports

at the City's Via Linda Campus. This

solar roofing system will generate enough

clean, renewable energy to power seven

to 10 homes involved in the Solar Energy

Program. The city and APS have

completed their installation plan for 2000

that includes four new projects that equal

approximately 50 kw. 

For more information about their Solar

Energy Program, visit the city's web site at

http://www.ci.scottsdale.az.us/environmen

tal/Events/CYSolar.asp
U.S. Department of Energy

about housing, utility bills and future economic growth," says

Hurdle, project director for the East Austin Economic

Development Corporation, the lead partner in Rebuild Austin.

A local blues band, powering their instruments with solar

energy, kicked off the celebration for the crowd of 300. 

I.Q. Hurdle welcomed the audience, Rev. Griffin led a prayer

and Council Member Willie Lewis addressed the revitalization

effort in East Austin. Austin Energy Vice President Roger

Duncan spoke about his utility's involvement with Rebuild

Austin, including its Green Choice renewable energy program

and its donation of the photovoltaic panels. Mayor Watson

addressed Austin's energy concerns and then introduced the

Secretary of Energy. 

“The Department is extremely pleased and proud to be a

partner in Rebuild Austin,” said Richardson. “This effort

demonstrates that energy efficiency can be used to revitalize an

economically depressed neighborhood so that it can participate

in the economic boom that many communities across the nation

are enjoying.”

Richardson remarked on Rebuild America’s 250th milestone

and on how energy efficiency can address some of Austin's

problems, including economic development of disadvantaged

neighborhoods and the City's air quality attainment standards.

With February being Black History Month, the Secretary noted

that many African American scientists had made significant

advances in energy technologies.

The Secretary, Denver Regional Office Director Bill Becker,

and Hurdle then presented recognition awards to the

following Rebuild Austin partners: the Ebenezer

Baptist Church, the East Austin Economic

Development

Corporation, the

Austin Department 

of Housing and

Neighborhood

Services, Austin

Energy, the American

Council for an EnergyEfficient Economy,

Texas A&M University,

Liberty Bank, the

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs,

EnviroTrans Solutions, the Texas Solar Energy Society, the Travis

County Weatherization Program, the Sustainable Living Alliance,

the Crescent Construction Company and MetalOptics. 

Receiving an award on behalf of the Ebenezer Baptist Church,

Rev. Griffin said, “We are delighted to participate as a partner in

Rebuild America. This community-based program, focusing on

energy savings, will save thousands of dollars by contributing to

the empowerment of depressed areas in Austin.”

Richardson also recognized the work of Texas Rebuild

America partners Kleberg County, Brazos County, and the Bryan

Independent School District. Kingsville, TX Mayor Phil Esquivel

also attended on behalf of his city and Kleberg County. 

Children from the Ebenezer Child Development and Daycare

Center, led by instructor Huang Nguyen, honored the Secretary

with a song. The Secretary then toured Ebenezer Village,

viewing lighting improvements by MetalOptics in the church

foyer and visiting residents of the seniors center. 

Following the event, Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency

and Renewable Energy Dan Reicher and other DOE officials

and Austin partnership representatives toured the MetalOptics

manufacturing plant. Cheryl English of Lithonia Lighting, a

Rebuild America Business Partner, introduced the "Basics of

Efficient Lighting" guide, which is co-produced by Lithonia and

Rebuild America. The Assistant Secretary addressed the future of

clean energy products and DOE goals for clean energy.

The state of Texas has more than 15 Rebuild America

partnerships that have generated more than $11 million

in private investments to renovate over 8.4 million

square feet. Ninety-six jobs have been created and

energy costs have been reduced by $2.6 million. The

energy-efficiency improvements are expected to reduce

air pollution by more than 6,000 tons of CO2 annually.

Rebuild Austin 

Continued from page 1

The Blues Specialists, their instruments

powered by solar panels, take center stage.

6

Bill Richardson, center, accompanied by Congressman Lloyd Doggett 

(D-Austin) to his left and City Council Member Willie Lewis, is surrounded by

a gaggle of reporters.
U.S. Department of Energy

Upcoming Events 

7

April

April 12-13 – Rebuild America Denver

Regional Peer Exchange, Denver, CO. Contact

Dave Waltzman, Denver Regional Team

Leader at 303-275-4821.

April 17-19 – Rebuild America Boston

Regional Peer Exchange, Boston, MA.

Contact Greg Davoren, Boston Regional Team

Leader at 617-565-9706.

April 19-20 – GlobalCon 2000: Energy &

Facility Management for the New Millennium,

Dallas, TX (Dallas Convention Center). Phone

770-279-4388 or visit www.aeecenter.org.

April 20-22 – Soltech 2000, Washington, DC

(State Dept. Auditorium). Visit www.seia.org.

April 20-21 – Transportation 2000: Options for

a New Millennium, Portland, OR (Portland

Hilton). Contact Mark Kendall or Curt Nichols

at 503-378-4040 or 503-823-7418.

April 22 – Earth Day 2000, nationwide.

Contact Michael Closson, Earth Day Network

at 206-876-2000, x213; fax: 206-682-1184; or

e-mail mclosson@earthday.net.

April 28 – School Building Day, nationwide.

Sponsored by CEFPI. Visit www.cefpi.org.

April 30 – City of Reno, NV partner

recognition event. Contact Allie Smith at 

702-454-6502 or e-mail

rebuildnevada@hotmail.com.

May 

May 1-4 – Energy Performance Contracting

Workshop, Chicago, IL. Contact Cara

Applegate, Rebuild America at 301-588-9387.

May 3-5 – 8th National Conference on

Building Commissioning, Kansas City, MO.

Contact Carolyn Dasher, PECI at 

503-248-4636 x204.

May 4-6 – National Convention & Expo of the

American Institute of Architects, Philadelphia,

PA. Contact AIA at 202-626-7396.

May 7-10 – 6th National Clean Cities

Conference & Expo, San Diego, CA. Contact

Clean Cities Hotline at 800-224-8437.

May 8-10 – Public Housing Authorities

Directors Association 2000 Annual Convention

& Exhibition, Newport, RI. Visit

www.phada.org/meetings.html.

May 17-18 – Strategic Energy Forum,

Rosemont, IL. Visit www.aeecenter.org.

May 17-19 – National Association of Energy

Service Companies (NAESCO) Mid-Year

Conference, Houston, TX. Contact

www.naesco.org.

May 17-20 – National Association of Counties

(NACo’s) Western Interstate Region

Conference, Boise, ID. Contact John

McGillicuddy at 704-336-2597.

June

June 1-3 – Advancing Community

Sustainability, Roanoke, VA. Visit

www.conted.vt.edu/advcom.htm or e-mail

urban@vt.edu. 

June 6-8 – Build USA, Washington, DC

(Washington Convention Center). Phone 800-

996-3863 or visit www.buildusashows.com.

June 6-8 – Advanced Building Systems

Technology, Washington, D.C. Contact

Andrea Larick at 216-931-9609 or

alarick@penton.com.

June 9-13 – US Conference of Mayors Annual

Conference, Seattle, WA. Contact Carol

Edwards at 202-293-7330.

June 14-16 – Empowerment 2000, High

Performance Schools, Madison, WI. Contact

Karen Anderson, Alliance to Save Energy at

202-530-2239 or kanderson@ase.org; or Dan

York, Energy Center Wisconsin at 608-238-

8276 or dyork@ecw.org. 

June 18-20 – BOMA 2000 Annual Convention

& Office Building Show, San Diego, CA. Visit

www.boma.org.

Meeting the Press

Rebuild America’s 250th partnership

celebration in Austin attracted strong

local media interest, especially from

television news stations. NBC, CBS,

ABC and FOX affiliates were all on

site and the story aired 12 times.

The presence of Secretary Richardson

gave the story some “bounce” and

the Secretary fielded some press

questions about rising fuel prices as

well as queries about Rebuild America

and Rebuild Austin. Mike Myers, DOE

representative for Texas, Rev. Griffin

and members of the Ebenezer Church

community were also interviewed.

The Austin American-Statesman, the

city daily, weighed in with a top story

for their Metro & State section titled,

“An efficient blessing for a house of

prayer.” Richardson was quoted as

saying: “We have got to conserve

energy. We have to look at

renewables – wind, solar, biomass.”

The Austin American-Statesman was

among the many news outlets

covering the event.
U.S. Department of Energy

Snapshot

Dave Waltzman is

the Denver Regional

Team Leader for

Rebuild America.

Vital Statistics: Lives in Arvada, CO with

wife, Robin, and three dogs: Gonga (Mr.

Pretty), a Rotweiller; Dahlia, a

Dalmation; and Paden, a Portuguese

water dog, known as the demon of

destruction. Daughter Sarah, 29, studies

traditional Chinese medicine and son

Adam, 27, works in computer

networking. 

Current Role with Rebuild America:

Team Leader for the Denver Region and

national lead for Native American tribal

coordination with Rebuild America.

Serves as partnership representative to

several regional and state partnerships

and to a number of Pueblo tribes. 

Most rewarding aspect of your work:

Meeting people and working with

communities. My marriage is a true

outgrowth of a Rebuild America

partnership. I met my wife, Robin, in

Albuquerque last May while I was

helping to develop the city partnership.

She introduced me to many of the

current partners and helped me so much

I decided we needed to formalize the

partnership. We married in August 1999.

Your greatest Rebuild America

challenge: Keeping up with the needs

of the partnerships. Ideally, there is a

champion in each partnership, but a

vibrant, successful partnership requires an

active Rebuild America representative

who is on site frequently. This, coupled

with the number of communities

requesting briefings on the program,

could keep me on the road constantly. 

What you like to do in your spare

time: Golf, exercise, travel (just returned

from Honduras) and relaxing with Robin

and the dogs.

Something you haven’t tried but think

you might be good at: I would love to

spend more time outdoors building

redwood decks, or working in a national

park. After 30 or so years of managing

process and pushing paper, my next

career will lead me to new skills.

A book or film you recommend: Any

comedy with Gene Wilder, like “Blazing

Saddles.”

Where you’d live, if you could live

anywhere in the world: Either near the

ocean or mountains, in a small town far

from big city problems. 

energy-efficiency improvements that are expected to bring the

building well into the 21st century. The building suffered from

heating and cooling systems that were competing against one

another, out-of-date interior lighting, and little or no insulation.

To address these needs, the HVAC system was replaced with a

contemporary programmable system to distribute air efficiently

throughout the building. The lighting system was upgraded to a

modern T-5 fluorescent lighting system and insulation was

placed strategically throughout the building, particularly in 

the attic. 

The former Belk Department Store, now LaFayette Place, is

another example of a local landmark brought back from the

brink. The roof had caved in and the building also suffered

from a bad case of “re-muddling” – a historically inaccurate

renovation. Plans called for tearing it down to create a parking

lot in Uptown Shelby. Rebuild Shelby stepped in

and convinced local authorities that not only could

the building be saved, but it could bring in needed tax and

utility revenue far beyond what the parking lot could provide.

The City reallocated the $100,000 earmarked to demolish the

building to clean out its interior. A Charlotte, NC developer

bought the building for $1 and spent an additional $1 million to

convert the structure into six stores, 12 apartments, and a small

parking court. Efficiency measures included insulation and

high-efficiency water heaters. Not only has the project been

highly successful, but the city is benefiting from tax and utility

revenues that otherwise would have been lost.

So, the next time you are traveling on Interstate 85 or US 74

in North Carolina, make sure to stop by Uptown Shelby to get a

taste of just how its downtown is thriving from its participation

in Rebuild America and Main Street initiatives – and while you

are at it, don't forget to sample the livermush! 

For more information, contact Ted Alexander at 

704-484-3100. 8

Rebuilding Shelby 

Continued from page 2
U.S. Department of Energy

Workbench

White Reflective Roofing: How to Reduce

Energy Consumption and Cool Urban Hot Spots

Energy service companies (ESCO’s) are now studying

implementing roofing programs into energy audits and

performance contracting programs. Can white reflective roofing

membranes have a major impact on energy conservation

programs? Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National

Laboratory (LBNL) believe that not only do they offer 

significant opportunities for savings, but they also can have

a significant impact on cooling

“urban heat islands” and

improving air quality.

The growth and development

in America over the past five

decades, particularly in the

Sunbelt, have caused dramatic

shifts in average temperatures

and smog development within

these areas. Green has given

way to dark-colored paving and

black roofs. Cities such as Los

Angeles, Atlanta, Phoenix, Salt

Lake, Baton Rouge, Houston,

and Dallas are typically 6° F - 

8° F degrees Fahrenheit hotter

than their surrounding areas.

The dark colored surfaces

absorb more solar radiation and retain thermal radiation. Black

roofs typically have a 6 percent rate of reflectivity and low

emissivity values that result in real roof temperatures of between

150° F - 200° F in summertime. 

On the other hand, white, highly reflective roof membranes

can have reflectivity and emissivity values of more than 80

percent. Roof temperatures can be more than 30 percent lower.

Cooler roofs result in less heat transfer into the building, as well

as into the environment. Higher urban temperatures increase

cooling costs. According to LBNL, a 1-degree rise in

temperature can mean a 2 percent increase in the demand for

cooling power. In Los Angeles alone, this could translate into

$25 million annually. 

Studies completed in 1998 by Hashem Akbari and Sarah

Bretz of LBNL conclude that white, highly reflective roofing

membranes – ones that reflect solar radiation and emit thermal

radiation well – can reduce cooling costs by as much as 30

percent. The extent of savings depends on the roof surface

area, cooling degree days, and the extent of thermal insulation

in the roof system. School buildings are ideal candidates for this

improved roof system. LBNL projected savings by computer

model in 11 cities and found that real savings and energy

reductions not only include Sunbelt areas but also cities with

high electric rates including Chicago, New York and 

Washington DC.

From the practical side, roof systems need to be evaluated not

only on their reflectivity, but even more so on their ability to

provide extended weatherability. Roofs with a proven 25-year

track record that have demonstrably low lifecycle and

maintenance costs and a credible warranty program that are

backed by a financially stable manufacturer should provide the

base criteria. The real benefit derived from moving to white

roofs will be evident in its impact on the building envelope

design – and on reclaiming our environment by moving to

restore the ecobalance.

For more information, contact Peter D'Antonio, Rebuild

America coordinator for Sarnafil Roofing and Waterproofing

Systems, at 800-451-2502, ext. 257.

9

Computer model projects average monthly energy savings

for buildings with reflective roofing in select cities.
U.S. Department of Energy

Advances in HVAC Technologies 

Boost Energy Savings

Heating, cooling and ventilating costs are a controllable

expense in new and old buildings alike. Given the significant

technological improvements in the last several years, the time is

ripe to achieve significant savings and maximum efficiencies for

businesses, schools and communities. Advances in HVAC

technology are designed to match the heating and cooling levels

in buildings, via timers, sensors and other controls, with the level

of indoor occupancy. These technology improvements present

a larger menu of options for design teams and challenge

building owners and architects to achieve optimum results. 

During the early 1990s, innovative technologies emerged, but

the cost of implementing them kept many building owners at

bay. Those who used lifecycle costing as their criteria, however,

realized they could boost the return on their property

investments by reducing operating and maintenance costs.

Many advanced energy-efficiency technologies have been put

into practice with impressive results. Though energy costs have

remained relatively low in today’s market, the opportunities for

saving energy have increased considerably. 

Existing & New Equipment

Technology improvements have significantly improved

efficiencies in both small and large equipment. For example,

manufacturers have dramatically improved the part-load

performance of chillers. This is especially important since the

chiller typically operates at peak design conditions less than 1

percent of its operating hours. Manufacturers have cut chiller

consumption on some models by half. Also, pulse-combustion

furnaces are twice as efficient as older, gas-fired furnaces and

can work extremely well in small commercial buildings. 

Replacing inefficient systems with new efficient ones can pay

big dividends. Case in point is the geothermal heat pump – an

application that works in homes, schools, institutions and small

commercial buildings. Five hundred school systems across the

country use geothermal heat pumps to comfortably heat and

cool buildings and to reduce energy consumption. A school

district in Lincoln, NE that installed geothermal heat pumps in

four elementary schools greatly reduced its

operating costs to 41 cents per square foot.

This is half the average cost of virtually

identical schools in the

same area utilizing

conventional systems.

Other benefits of

geothermal pumps

include reduced

maintenance costs, high comfort levels, few malfunctions and an

absence of occupant complaints.

Controls

Computer technology has radically altered the HVAC industry

during the last decade. Low-cost microprocessors have allowed

sensors to perform multiple tasks, such as sensing temperature

and humidity. Carbon dioxide sensors, virtually inapplicable five

years ago, are now more cost effective and provide reliable

ventilation control and increased comfort while saving energy. 

Variable frequency drives, a breakthrough in control

technology for air conditioning motors, can be applied to major

HVAC components, from fans to pumps to chillers, and can

substantially reduce energy use during non-peak operating

periods, which is most of the time.

These advances have proven their merit in hundreds of

projects in the U.S., but industry observers say these

improvements are considerably underutilized by the building

design community. Partnerships and building owners should be

informed of the possibilities for HVAC systems and encouraged

to establish energy-efficient goals for their building projects at

the onset. Concurrent advances in lighting systems, highefficiency windows, insulation and other building materials are

also improving building performance. Rebuild America

advocates a “whole building” approach to design and

construction that combines a number of energy-efficient

strategies to achieve an optimum building environment. 

For more info contact Ron Shelton at Oak Ridge National

Laboratory at srl@ornl.gov.

Next issue: a Rebuild America HVAC case study 10

Solutions

Program Representative

Charles Young examines the

HVAC system of a vacant

bank building in Shelby,

NC, built in 1962.
U.S. Department of Energy

the realization that we can get 

something done.”

Hutcheson has also attended two

Rebuild America Seattle Region Peer

Forums and presented her partnership’s

challenge at the March 1-3 session in

Portland. The support from her peers

provided a “shot in the arm” and opened

her eyes to new possibilities, she says.

Public Need

Many residents of this small,

agricultural community of Rainier are

living below the poverty level, Hutcheson

notes. Traveling 25 miles to Olympia to

avail themselves of basic services poses a

hardship for those who are unable to pay

for fuel. Public transportation is not

available.

Hutcheson began to envision a wellconceived public safety building that

would also serve as a community center

that could provide some of the services

that people were traveling long distances

to find. 

“There are no adequate gathering

places available,” she notes. 

Plans call for a facility of 15,000 to

19,000 square feet to house emergency

equipment and a public safety

building/community center with office

space, a conference room and

classrooms. Volunteer firefighters and

police will coordinate the use of the

facilities for administrative, training and

meeting purposes with social services

providers such as the Women with

Infants and Children Program (WIC),

immunization services and family 

support programs. 

In addition to providing overwhelming

support, the first peer exchange

Hutcheson attended paid an unexpected

dividend. Stephen Meder, leader of the

University of Hawaii partnership,

attended the peer exchange. Following

the meeting, Meder presented the fire

district project to the Rebuild Hawaii

Consortium. Fred Creager of the

University of Hawaii School of

Architecture then approached Hutcheson

about having the fire district partnership

serve as a project for his students. She

agreed, and is now armed with five sets

of architectural drawings for the new fire

hall and community center. 

“I stressed energy efficiency and told

them to showcase some great ideas,” she

says, adding that many of the plans

incorporate environmentally sensitive

building practices and specify recycled

building materials, efficient building

systems and the use of solar energy.

“We have a picture now,” Hutcheson

says. “It’s not just in our minds.”

Partners joining the fire district

partnership include the Town of Rainier,

the Rainier Police Department, the

Thurston County Health Department, and

the Rainier school district.

“It’s a lot more than a building,”

Hutcheson says. “It’s a center for

community activity. A place to bring

folks to build better communities. It’s an

opportunity for a small community to

come together through teamwork and

develop a sense of pride about what we

can accomplish.” 

Hutcheson says the partnership’s

greatest challenge is lack of funding:

“There is no lack of enthusiasm.” 

The fire district operates with 30

volunteers and one full-time employee

on a $150,000 annual budget that needs

to cover training, uniforms, equipment,

and vehicle maintenance. It has a 4-1/2-

acre site for the planned fire hall and

community center – surplus property

provided by the County. A local

community college has volunteered to

survey the site. Hutcheson’s next step is

to explore opportunities for grants and

funding to finance the project’s

construction.

A former Army colonel, Hutcheson

retired in 1992 after 27 years of service.

She has been a volunteer firefighter and

emergency medical technician for the

Thurston County Fire District 4 since

1980. A registered nurse for 33 years,

she is also a part-time employee for the

County’s immunization program.

When asked how she spends her spare

time, Hutcheson notes: “This is all spare

time.” In addition to looking out for the

people in her community, Hutcheson

provides refuge for a variety of stray

animals on her 17-acre farm. Her roster

of free-ranging tenants includes one

rooster, four dogs, four goats, four

potbellied pigs, six chickens,10 rabbits,

and 16 cats. Her secret to managing all

this: “I have a routine,” she says. 

For more information, contact Chief

Hutcheson at 360-446-2419 or by fax at

360-446-3284.

Profile

Continued from page 1

11

Hutcheson takes the floor at the Peer Forum

in Portland.
Rebuild America is a network of community

partnerships – made up of local governments

and businesses – that save money by saving

energy. These voluntary partnerships, working

with the U.S. Department of Energy, choose the

best ways to improve the energy efficiency of

commercial, government and apartment

buildings. Rebuild America supports them

with business and technical tools and 

customized assistance.

By the year 2003, Rebuild America 

partnerships will be involved in over 

2 billion square feet of building renovations,

which will save $650 million every year in

energy costs, generate $3 billion in private

community investment, create 26,000 new

private sector jobs, and reduce air pollution by

1.6 million tons of carbon dioxide a year.

Rebuild America 

Office of Building Technology,

State and Community Programs

U.S.Department of Energy

1000 Independence Avenue,SW

Washington,DC 20585-0121

Address Correction Requested

Rebuild America Welcomes 11 New Partnerships

City of Akron, IA

Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribes

Historic Downtown Program/Rising Sun, IN

Loogootee Community School Corporation, IN

Muscatine Power & Water, IA

Oxford Public Schools, CT

Prince George’s County Government, MD

Rebuild in April (PositivEnergy), Oakland, CA

Rebuild Long Island Partnership, Happauge, NY

Redevelopment Commission, City of Portage, IN

Washoe County School District, Reno, NV

Share Your Success

To submit news or story ideas, contact: 

• Elise G. Rand, (202) 466-7391, or e-mail 

erand@pcgpr.com

• Alex Zartman, (301) 588-9387, or e-mail 

alexz@drintl.com

Learn More

Rebuild America is part of DOE’s Buildings for the 21st

Century. If you would like information about Rebuild

America or the other energy efficiency and renewable

energy programs and resources, call 1-800-DOE-EREC or

visit www.eren.doe.gov.

To be placed on the mailing list for Rebuild America

Partner Update, e-mail rebuildamerica@drintl.com.

Total Number of 


Rebuild America 


Partnerships


255

P

Rebuild America

celebrates Rebuild Austin,

its 250th partnership.

From left, Kathryn Houser

of Sustainable Living

Association, Energy

Secretary Bill Richardson,

Rev. Marvin Griffin, and

Mark Kaptner of Austin

Energy. See cover story

and pages 6-7.