Companies Save on Energy,

Support National Conference

Some powerhouses have lined up to sponsor the 2002 SEP/Rebuild America National

Conference. These organizations have offered their support to help make this first-ever,

combined conference a memorable one, and all have a strong interest in advancing energyefficiency efforts across the nation. Their participation has helped the conference planners

make the most of our time together in New Orleans, and we would like to thank them for

pitching in.

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. heads the list as our Platinum Premier Sponsor.

Based in Buffalo Grove, IL, this affiliate of international electronics giant Siemens AG brings

a high degree of technical knowledge to the business of upgrading buildings in North

America. The company recently achieved energy savings of more than $274,000 in the first

year of its 10-year contract with the St. Charles Parish school district in southern Louisiana –

a contract funded by the savings it generates. In California, the company recently qualified as

a provider of energy conservation services to all state facilities.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) joins

Angelo Brothers, Honeywell and Entergy as our Premier Sponsors. NYSERDA is

exceptionally active in energy work, overseeing Rebuild America projects in its state along

with an array of other projects. NYSERDA’s recent reorganization into regional partnerships

across New York State focuses on Energy Target Zones to boost the use of resources at the

grassroots level. Much of its work is designed to ease the state’s transition to a more

competitive energy market.

Angelo Brothers/Westinghouse, based in Philadelphia, PA, has the exclusive worldwide

license for Westinghouse brand lights – including such energy savers as compact fluorescent

PartnerUpdate

INSIDE

REBUILD AMERICA•BUILDING AMERICA

U.S. Department of Energy • Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy www.rebuild.gov • DOE/EE-0270

July – August 2002

Continued on page 9

Continued on page 11

2 Clark County 

Avoids Gambling with

Energy Dollars

3 NEED Energy Solutions?

4 Idaho Communities Win 

with Rebuild

5 Energy Investment in

Louisiana

6 Zero Energy School Proposal

7 Marin County seeks BEST

8 Waterless Urinal

Zero Energy

Vacation House

Ever

wish you

could stop

paying

utility bills? If so, you should consider

building a zero energy house, like the

one that was recently on display in

Washington, DC. The demonstration

house, open to the public, was

temporarily set up on the National Mall

for two days in May. The zero energy

vacation house, built with readily

available materials, is designed to

produce as much energy as it consumes

over the course of the year.

The zero energy house was designed

and engineered by the U.S. Department

of Energy’s Building America Building

Science Consortium, which has

developed over one-hundred energyefficient house designs and has
2 U.S. Department of Energy

Clark County Avoids Gambling with Energy Dollars

Clark County, NV refuses to

gamble with its energy budget

and is instead pursuing an

energy-efficiency plan expected

to provide quick returns. 

Clark County’s Energy

Management Program started in

September 1999 in anticipation

of electricity deregulation.

Although deregulation was

placed on hold indefinitely

during the last legislative

session, the County has seen a

double-digit increase in

electricity costs over the last

few years and the focus of the

program gradually switched

from deregulation to energy

efficiency and energy conservation in general. Clark County

is home to Las Vegas.

With assistance from Rebuild America Strategic Partner

Public Technology, Inc. (PTI), Clark County began an initial

assessment of its energy use in February 2001. That

assessment set the framework for the County’s major analysis

later in the year. The County also hosted workshops for

County employees, teaching them simple tasks that help

lower energy use. 

PTI introduced Clark County to Rebuild America and has

been instrumental in assisting the County with its energy

endeavors. During the second half of 2001, an energy

management consulting group conducted an assessment of

the County’s 12 most expensive accounts and of four other

mid-sized buildings. The result of that audit was a 2-inchthick binder of energy-efficiency recommendations.

County officials knew that most of the recommendations in

that binder would not be implemented for fiscal year 2002,

but were pleased when the Clark County Board of

Commissioners in January appropriated $1 million dollars for

energy improvements.

Broken down, $600,000 is being used to retrofit traffic

lights at 50 to 60 intersections with LED lamps; $185,000 will

pay for indoor lighting retrofits with more efficient fluorescent

lamps and ballasts; and $215,000 will pay for the early stages

of the implementation of an energy management information

system (EMIS). The County will report back to the Board on

the return on the energy investments.

Clark County chose these investments because of their

relative ease of implementation and quick payback. The

Public Works Department had already retrofitted several

traffic lights, so there was no need to conduct much research

for that project. And Clark County heard from similar local

governments that indoor lighting retrofits were modestly

priced, easy, and the investment dollars were quickly

recovered. The County is researching an EMIS, knowing that

it will allow the County to track its energy use and make

adjustments in the future.

One key to this endeavor, says Deyanira Flores of

Rebuild Clark County, is the energy-efficiency knowledge

other PTI communities provide the County. An important

element of Rebuild America, this type of information sharing

hastens project implementation.

By asking, “How did you go about this,” Flores says, the

County picks up advice from other communities, which saves

time and money on projects.

The County relies heavily on taxes generated by tourism to

pay for County services. Drops in tourism can seriously

impair the County’s ability to stay within budget, as seen at

the end of 2001.

And, like every other county in the U.S., the goal is to

lower taxes for its residents – not raise them. Coupled with

environmental stewardship, these two philosophies drive

Clark County’s energy goals. Lower energy costs means a

lower operating budget for the County – which also stabilizes

the financial position of the County. 

For more information, contact Deyanira Flores with Clark

County at deyanira@co.clark.nv.us or 702-455-3530.

Public Technology Inc. (PTI)

is a not-for-profit organization

that was founded in 1971 to

“bring the benefits of

technology to local

governments.” It is the technology and research

development organization for the National League of

Cities, National Association of Counties and the

International City/County Management Association.

PTI’s membership organization, the Urban Consortium,

is a one-of-a-kind network of jurisdictions created to

address major urban problems and find practical,

economical solutions that work. The Urban Consortium

represents America’s most progressive cities and counties.

Through its five task forces: energy, environment, public

safety, telecommunications and information, and

transportation, the Consortium is a catalyst for research

and development of emerging technologies that can solve

problems facing all local governments. 

The Applied Energy Research and Development Program

of PTI in conjunction with the Urban Consortium Energy

Task Force identifies proven technologies and develops

innovative ways to deploy them while improving energy

efficiency, reducing local government utility expenditures

and maximizing opportunities for local economic growth

through energy initiatives.

The Clark County Government

Center, which houses 1,700

employees, is a showcase

building of the county’s energy

conservation program.

ENERGY SOLUTIONS
I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all of you who

are attending the 2002 State Energy Program/Rebuild

America National Conference at the Hotel InterContinental in New Orleans. We are pleased to be

partnering this year with the State Energy Program

(SEP) and are confident that the pairing of the two

programs to present this year’s conference will add

significant value for participants. Rebuild America and

SEP share common ground on many levels. While

Rebuild America partnerships introduce energy-saving

solutions at the local level, SEP brings the resources of

the state energy offices to bear to research and

implement energy-saving initiatives that can be

replicated statewide, as well as to sustain local actions.

The desired outcome of blending the synergies of

these two programs is to lay the groundwork for

sustaining an effective and far-reaching campaign to

save energy across the nation.

To paraphrase what President Bush said about

children and education, when it comes to saving

energy, Rebuild America and SEP don’t want to leave

any community, or any state, behind. There isn’t one

community or state in this country that doesn’t stand to

benefit substantially from saving energy in buildings,

outdoor lighting, appliances and transportation. When

we save energy by adopting smart technologies and

practices, we reduce the demand for burning fossil

fuels and protect the environment. Those of us in

metropolitan areas are receiving frequent, painful

reminders this summer about the unhealthful levels of

ozone in the air we breathe – a situation directly

linked to our daily consumption of energy. And today

– as never before – we know how important it is for

the nation to use energy wisely and reduce our

dependence on foreign oil. 

When it comes to energy consumption, there is vast

room for improvement in this country. And that is

what this conference is all about. Rebuild America

partners and partnerships, SEP representatives, and all

stakeholders in the effort to save energy have

something to contribute to this conference. The

conference presents a unique opportunity to network,

to listen and learn from those who have been there, to

share information, and to explore new technologies,

trends, practices and ideas. 

And while you are here, I hope you will get an

opportunity to get a taste and a feel for our wonderful,

View From DC

By Daniel Sze

U.S. Department of Energy 3

Energy efficiency has never been a stronger part of the

science curriculum than it is now. As kids learn the basics of

earth sciences, they are gaining knowledge of energy and

conservation that will lay the foundation of good habits for a

lifetime. Such was evidenced at the National Energy

Education Development (NEED) Project’s 22nd Annual

National Recognition Ceremony in Washington, DC on June 24.

NEED sponsors the Youth Awards Program for Energy

Achievement each year to honor schools that are serious about

energy efficiency. Awards are issued at the local, state and

national levels to outstanding teachers and students. Winners

gather in Washington each June to exchange ideas, share

projects and learn new activities.

The Youth Awards were inspired by NEED’s drive to engage

students in hands-on activities that explore forms and sources

of energy, economic and environmental concerns associated

with energy production and consumption and educate them

about energy issues, technology and conservation. 

Mike Smith, policy advisor to U.S. Department of Energy

Secretary Spencer Abraham, addressed the excited crowd at an

event held at the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Top honors in varying categories were as follows:

Student Leader of the Year – Justin Paschell

Justin is the director of Brighton High School’s Energy

Education Team in Tennessee which has brought the influence

of energy to daily life to over 7,000 people in the community.

The group implemented a district-wide project that contacted

schools across the state to inform them about NEED and

provided energy education materials to classrooms. The project

included creating activities for all grade levels to learn about

energy and its uses.

State of the Year – Michigan

The Michigan NEED Project hosted eight workshops last

year that brought new networks of teachers into the NEED

program. Teachers traveled across the state with their students

to expand and support new NEED networks. In addition,

NEED programs were offered at the Michigan Association of

Middle School Educators conferences and the Michigan science

education network.

District of the Year – Upper Arlington School District, OH

Energy smart Ohioans in Upper Arlington have involved

every fifth grader in learning about energy sources and

conservation. Using the “Kids Teaching Kids” motto, elementary

students have fun with energy workshops organized by NEED.

Each fifth grade class has an energy bike in its classroom and

manages a recycling program for the school.

For more information about NEED, the Youth Awards

Program, photos and this year’s winners, see

www.rebuild.org/news/news.asp and enter the keyword “NEED”

into the News Search feature.

NEED Energy Solutions?

Ask the Kids

Continued on page 10
With electric and natural gas prices rising between 43

percent and 60 percent over the past 18 months, Rebuild

Idaho faces tremendous challenges with energy budgets,

especially those within Idaho public agencies and schools.

In a mid-sized Idaho city, for example, dollars spent on

agency facilities due to utility rate increases may approach

$100,000 annually. That can put a significant crimp in a city

or county budget. Perhaps more alarming, a school district

in the same city could easily see their energy budget

increase by three times that amount. Rural Idaho school

districts maintain significantly more square footage than rural

cities or counties, and many times the districts provide a

larger community service through extended operating hours

to host community functions.

The Solution

Fortunately, over the past few years, even prior to rate

increases, energy champions have emerged in many

communities across the state. These leaders – mayors, county

commissioners, superintendents, and building managers –

have made deliberate efforts to reduce energy expenditures

and save community dollars through implementation of

sound energy-efficiency strategies.

But it’s the building managers, the people most frequently

in charge of the building and operations budget, who form

the front line in the fight for budget increases to cover everrising utility costs. It should come as no surprise then, that

when given solid recommendations for saving operations

dollars through energy efficiency, most of them take time to

listen. And the good building managers go a bit further.

They take action.

For example, just over two years ago Dave Logan, Ada

County Operations Director, with encouragement and support

from the commissioners, led the county on a journey into

energy efficiency. The first step for Ada County was to join

the Rebuild Idaho partnership and consult with the Rebuild

America staff on development of a five-year energy plan for

county buildings.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources Energy

Division’s Rebuild Idaho program has been a strong voice for

building energy efficiency for more than four years.

Currently in partnership with over 25 statewide school

districts, universities, colleges, cities and counties, Rebuild

Idaho provides energy-efficiency assistance and operations

and maintenance (O&M) training to partnership building staff. 

One of the first actions of the newly formed Rebuild Ada

County partnership was to gain a better understanding of

utility expenditures. County operations staff were trained on

the use of utility tracking software provided by Rebuild

Idaho. The software makes it easy to compare past energy

use with current use to determine if efficiency measures

undertaken are saving energy. It also gives Rebuild America

partnerships a way to effectively measure the success of their

efforts.

The next steps for the county included the implementation

of a low-cost O&M program and the decision to build the

new 350,000 square-foot courthouse as energy- and resourceefficient as possible. To pursue this goal the courthouse was

designed and constructed to meet the Idaho Commercial

Energy Code, a voluntary standard based on ASHRAE 90.1,

1989. The O&M program included low-cost activities such as

turning out lights in unoccupied spaces and using setback

functions on thermostats to reduce heating and cooling loads

after work hours. 

The Success Story

The payoff for Ada County was big. Led by Logan and his

operations staff, from calendar year 2000 to calendar year

2001 the county reaped a healthy $144,000 in low-cost

savings through changes in the way they operated three

building complexes – the Public Safety Complex, Juvenile

Detention, and the Western Idaho Fairgrounds (see Table 1).

Perhaps more dramatic is the energy efficiency observed in

the newly built and recently occupied Ada County

Table 1: Rate and weather adjusted utility costs and savings for Ada County

4 U.S. Department of Energy

Idaho Communities Win with Rebuild

ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Continued on page 6

Building Year 2000 Year 2001 Savings

Public Safety Complex $438,782 $337,166 $101,616

Juvenile Detention $85,239 $69,319 $15,920

Western Idaho Fairgrounds $135,086 $108,535 $26,551

Total Savings $144,087

Figure 1. – One-month energy use per square foot comparison

SQUARE FEET

350,000

ENERGY COST

 $20,279

SQUARE FEET

153,446

ENERGY COST

 $20,914

New

Courthouse

$20,279

350,000 Sq. ft

Old

Courthouse

$6,420

54,022 Sq. ft

Eagle

$1,445

24,673 Sq. ft

Admin

$13,049

74,751 Sq. ft
U.S. Department of Energy 5

ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Louisiana is taking aim at the strains high energy

consumption puts on publicly funded entities such as

schools, government agencies and hospitals through its new

Energy Fund – a program that encourages the use of

performance contracting to upgrade building energy

efficiency.

Due to regulations and limited tax revenues that inhibit

outright investment in energy efficiency projects, the Energy

Fund encourages these public entities to pursue performance

contracting. This means of using projected savings from the

project to finance its implementation benefits the

environment, improves comfort levels and reduces the drain

on tight budgets.

“From universities to hospitals, even to the Department of

Natural Resources (DNR), we are leveraging existing funds to

create investment where otherwise it wouldn’t be possible,”

says Louis McArthur, marketing representative with the

Louisiana DNR.

Prior to the creation of the Louisiana Energy Fund, there

had been only 10 performance contracts in the history of the

state. Now there are plans in the works for more than 50 –

all at no expense to the Louisiana taxpayer.

The Energy Fund is a new resource created from money in

the state’s Petroleum Violation Escrow Account (PVEA), a trust

available to states from penalties incurred by oil companies

due to unscrupulous practices in the 1970s. This money,

collected by the federal government, was allocated to the

states. Louisiana had spent all but $5 million of their share.

Through the late 1990s and into this decade, Rebuild

Louisiana has been active in educating state officials on the

benefits of energy efficiency. It offers free energy audits,

provides technical assistance, financing information and

quality control.

But when organization representatives – excited about the

possibility of investing in energy efficiency – asked how to

obtain money from the state, McArthur and his conferees told

them there was none. “People turned around and said,

‘seeya,’” McArthur lamented.

Taking that $5 million residual from the PVEA, however,

the state crafted a public/private partnership with the

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Lehman Brothers and

Hibernia Bank. The state is using that $5 million to purchase

credit enhancement insurance to safeguard the investments –

in essence, to “buy down the insurance rate to 3.69 percent”

for the bond issues that will finance the projects.

Over the past few years, Louisiana, Rebuild America

representatives, Business Partners and Strategic Partners have

worked together to develop the Energy Fund. The target date

for approving the financing of its first pool of projects is

September 2002. There are four additional pools slated for

approval in the coming months.

This first pool involves the state’s public schools, a highly

targeted market sector not just in Louisiana but around the

United States because of the declining condition of education

Energy Fund Boosts Performance Contracts,

Energy Investment in Louisiana

Louisiana Eyes Avoided Pollution

Emissions Credit Program

Louisiana is crafting a plan for an emissions credit

program that would generate funds for the state to invest

in future energy-efficiency projects. Credits would stem

from pollution avoided in implementing energy-efficiency

projects financed through the state’s Energy Fund.

While Louisiana has no “cap” that often accompanies

similar emissions credit programs, many areas of the state

are in ozone non-attainment areas and will have to

reduce pollution levels to meet those requirements. This

Emissions Banking Program could provide a single

incentive to both reduce pollution and invest in energy

efficiency.

The Emissions Banking Program is still in development

and its implementation date remains undecided. But

basically, as energy-efficiency projects are executed

through the Energy Fund and the reduced energy

consumption reported, the amount of pollution that has

been avoided is calculated and turned into credits.

The credits can then be sold and those funds used to

finance future energy-saving projects. As public entities

generate credits, other emitters of ozone precursors can

purchase them to help meet reduced emissions levels. In

theory, those in industry could also lower their

emissions, generate credits, and sell them in this trading

program to allow others to meet U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency standards for ozone.

Continued on page 11

B.W. Cooper

Apartments is one

of the housing

structures targeted

for retrofit under a

performance

contract through

Louisiana’s Energy

Fund.
6 U.S. Department of Energy

ENERGY SOLUTIONS

When you think of visionary, energy-efficient design for K12 schools, does rural Ohio come to mind? It soon may,

thanks to the Wheelersburg School District, located just

across the Ohio River from Kentucky. Officials in this small,

Appalachian town are planning to build the country’s first

zero energy school. With the school district recently joining

as a partner of the 1500 Days: The Ohio Energy Efficiency

Project Rebuild America partnership and the Ohio

Department of Development’s Office of Energy Efficiency,

Rebuild America is poised to help them reach their goal.

Wheelersburg is no stranger to energy-efficiency projects.

In the fall of 2000, a 1 kW photovoltaic array was installed at

the local elementary school. The solar panels were mounted

on poles next to the school, so teachers can use the

photovoltaic array as a teaching tool. American Electric

Power (AEP), the Foundation for Environmental

Education, the Ohio Department of Development’s

Office of Energy Efficiency, and the U.S. Department of

Energy’s (DOE) Million Solar Roofs Initiative sponsored

the project and the students helped by organizing a

fundraiser.

Although the high school in Wheelersburg, built in 1957,

was once a modern facility, the school is ill-suited for today’s

learning environment—there is little natural light, it is only

partially air-conditioned, and the electrical system limits the

number of computers that can be used. A new school with

modern technology, however, would mean an increase in

energy use and operating costs. To address this issue,

Superintendent John Eaton met with Larry Schoff, of the

Rebuild America EnergySmart Schools team, and Elaine

Barnes, from the Ohio counterpart of EnergySmart Schools,

to explore the idea of building a zero energy school: one that

produces the same amount of electricity as it uses over the

course of a year. DOE is actively supporting zero energy

homes research through Building America’s Building Science

Consortium and the Solar Buildings Program, and several

universities are studying the concept for commercial

buildings. The Wheelersburg project, however, would be the

Zero Energy School Proposed in Southern Ohio

first zero energy school building in this country.

A 100 kW photovoltaic roof would supply enough power

to operate the proposed school during the day. At night, the

school would use electricity from AEP, the local utility

company. Any excess power produced by the photovoltaic

array during the day, on weekends, and over the summer

would be sold back to AEP. The design of the new 140,000

square foot school serving 650 students would include such

features as geothermal heating and cooling and increased use

of natural daylighting. 

Schools are a viable choice for this type of project due to

their pattern of energy use: schools are only used during the

day and there is little energy use on the weekends and

during summer break. Although design costs may be higher

because this is a first-of-its-kind project, the construction costs

are expected to be lower than a traditional school. Most

schools waste about 25% of their energy due to inefficient

design. With more efficient design, smaller HVAC systems can

be installed, which significantly lowers construction and

operational costs. EnergySmart Schools has already provided

the school district with a list of architects to consult with on

sustainable design. Rebuild America will continue to provide

technical assistance as needed throughout the process. 

Up to 70% of the funding for the proposed school will be

provided by the state of Ohio, pending approval of the design.

The remaining costs will be raised through a bond which the

citizens will vote on in November. Because the community

needs a new high school, the bond is expected to pass. Upon

completion, the new school will provide a healthier and more

productive learning environment for the students of

Wheelersburg. As a real-life laboratory for energy efficiency,

the cutting-edge high school will be positioned as the model

for zero energy schools, with the hope that it will inspire

other school districts around the country to do the same.

For more information on 1,500 Days: The Ohio Energy

Efficiency Project or the Wheelersburg zero energy school,

contact Glen Kizer at gkizer@columbus.rr.com.

courthouse. At over twice the square footage, the February

2002 energy bill for the new courthouse was almost $700 less

than the combined February 2001 bills for the three buildings

it replaced. There was a 56 percent reduction in cost per

square foot during the first full month of operation of the

new courthouse when compared to the previous year costs.

(Figure 1)

The Keys to Success

Paying attention to your energy bills can make a difference

in your bottom line. Understanding what you currently pay,

meter by meter, can motivate institutions to change

perspective about energy solutions in buildings. 

But real change always takes a champion—that one person

who steps up to the plate to assume responsibility, focus on

needs and work toward positive change. Deciding to act, and

then taking action, is the real key to savings within a

community, school district or institution.

Continued from page 4

Idaho Communities Win with Rebuild
• Green Building Technical Assistance – Free technical

assistance based on the LEEDTM Rating System and the

Alameda County Green Building Guidelines is available to

all residents in Marin. Marin is the first county planning

department in the U.S. to have a LEED-certified

professional on staff. 

“Rebates, technical assistance, trainings and incentives make

this an exciting program to implement,” Ruark said. “It’s great

to see this program grow in popularity and help people take

advantage of these resources.”

Providing participants with resources, incentives and multiple

options for retrofits and upgrades allows for greater flexibility

and encourages participation from projects of varying sizes.

Rebuild America provides additional products and services,

connections with energy planners and network support for the

projects and workshops. Through partnership with Rebuild

America, CDA can share its successes and benefit from

achievements in communities throughout the country.

CDA is creating a standard for larger houses in the county

called the Big and Tall Ordinance. Many homes in Marin

County are large, and require lots of energy. The new

ordinance mandates that homes over 4,000 square feet not

exceed the energy usage of a 4,000 square foot house. If

these homes cannot meet Title 24, they may offset any excess

energy consumption with renewable energy systems.

Leading by example, Marin County has fully upgraded its

own civic center, a Frank Lloyd Wright building which houses

CDA office space. Installing T-8 lighting, an efficient boiler

and chiller, and modifying energy consumption has cut the

power demand by 50 percent. 

To learn more about Marin County and the BEST program,

see Community Partnerships at www.rebuild.gov or contact

Sam Ruark directly at sruark@co.marin.ca.us. For additional

information on the LEED Rating System, visit the U.S. Green

Building Council online at www.usgbc.org.

U.S. Department of Energy 7

ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Rebuild America is helping the County of Marin, CA

Community Development Agency (CDA) in its quest to

become a county-wide energy-efficiency and green-building

program. The community partnership joins residential,

commercial and municipal sectors in a plan to reduce the county’s

energy use by exceeding Title 24 standards by 15 percent.

Title 24 is a residential and non-residential legislative

building standard established in 1978 to reduce California’s

energy consumption. The standards are updated periodically

to allow for the incorporation of new, efficient technologies.

The latest set of standards took effect in June 2001 and is

credited with saving more than $20 billion in overall energy

costs for California.

“Title 24 goes a long way in enhancing energy efficiency,”

said Sam Ruark, sustainability assistant planner for CDA. “CDA

is taking its standards to the next level.”

A large part of CDA’s objective is to unite with the 11 cities

of Marin through an incentive-based program called BEST

(Building Energy Efficient Structures Today). CDA established

BEST in October of 2001 as a vehicle for enhancing energy

efficiency in residential, commercial and community facilities.

Through BEST, CDA provides residents of Marin with the following

programs and resources to aid them in reaching their goals.

• The Energy-Efficient Building Incentive Program –

Buildings must either exceed Title 24 requirements by 10

percent or meet the criteria in a set checklist designed for each

specific project category. Building managers can also install an

on-site renewable energy system that produces a minimum of

75 percent of energy consumed by the building and its

amenities to achieve compliance.

• The BEST Rebate Program – In conjunction with the

incentive program, the rebate program rewards local

residences, businesses and county employees who take

action to reduce energy consumption in their buildings.

Rebates come from allotted funds in the CDA budget and

are available by project-based application.

• BEST Trainings – BEST hosts public workshops

throughout the county to train individuals on energy

efficiency and green building practices.

• BEST Exhibit – CDA created a green building exhibit to

showcase new technologies, green products and the

fundamentals of efficient design and construction. The

traveling exhibit visits planning and building offices

throughout Marin and various community events. 

• BEST Library – The BEST Library houses hundreds of print

and electronic resources on energy efficiency, green

buildings, renewable energy, architecture, landscaping and

environmental justice among other topics. The resources

are available to the public.

Marin County Homes and Buildings 

Seek the BEST 

“Title 24 goes a long way in

enhancing energy efficiency. 

CDA is taking its standards 

to the next level.”

-Sam Ruark
8 U.S. Department of Energy

TECHNOLOGY

When most people hear the words Kalahari and Sonora,

they think “deserts.” Mention those names to the people at

Rebuild America Business Partner Waterless Company LLC

and they’ll talk about their line of urinals that don’t use

water. Since 1991, the California-based company has offered

the Waterless No-FlushTM urinal. A urinal may seem an

unlikely place to start conserving water, but the technical,

scientific, and economic reasoning for using the device gives

waterless urinal proponents a sound argument for its use. 

The conventional urinal uses about 1-3 gallons of water

per flush. Current government mandates require that new

urinals use no more than one-gallon of water per flush. With

roughly 8 million urinals in the U.S., there is potential for

significant water savings. Because water can transport itself,

no flush is needed in this dry surface fixture. While

conventional urinals use two plumbing lines–supply and

waste–a Waterless urinal only uses a waste line. Because

there is no flush value and, therefore, no moving parts, the

waterless urinal requires less maintenance than a

conventional fixture. Should the valve on a traditional urinal

break, it can allow water to keep flowing until it is fixed, a

problem that can never occur with a No-Flush device.

So, how does a Waterless urinal work? The No-Flush

fixture uses a cartridge called EcoTrap® that fits in the drain.

The cartridge acts much like standing water does in the trap

of a toilet or sink drain- it allows waste to drain while

blocking sewer gas or odors from seeping out. Inside the

EcoTrap, a biodegradable liquid called BlueSeal® floats at

the top of the trap and does not mix with other liquids. The

waste can pass through BlueSeal to a trap where it then exits

to the drainage line. Under typical use, the 3 ounces of

BlueSeal liquid used in the cartridge will need to be replaced

1-4 times per month, while the EcoTraps, which cost $5.50

each, should be replaced 2-4 times per year.

According to Klaus Reichardt, Managing Partner,

Waterless Company, “Waterless No-Flush urinals save on

average between 30,000-50,000 gallons of water and sewer

Waterless Urinal Ensures Money 

Isn’t Flushed Down the Drain

per urinal per year.” Saving water also means saving money.

The manufacturer estimates the waterless urinal costs about

$1 per 1000 uses, while conventional urinals cost $2-$18 per

1000 uses, depending on local water and sewerage fees and

the amount of water used per flush. The Waterless urinal,

which installs into existing 2-inch drain connections, normally

pays for itself through reduced maintenance costs and water

savings within 24 months. 

Along with the economic and environmental reasons for

using the product, the Waterless Company also boasts that

the No-Flush urinal is more hygienic than a conventional

one. Traditional urinals have areas that are constantly wet,

which can be a breeding ground for bacteria. The Waterless

fixture is a drier surface, less suitable for bacterial growth,

and with no flush, there are fewer airborne droplets that can

carry disease.

The Waterless Company has sold thousands of Waterless

No-Flush urinals over the past 11 years, which are

comparable in cost to conventional fixtures of the same size.

Although schools, the military and commercial businesses are

the company’s top customers, the product is also used in

several high profile attractions, including the Statue of Liberty.

With the environmental, financial, and health benefits

associated with the Waterless fixture, it may just make the

conventional flush urinal a thing of the past.

For more information on the Waterless No-Flush urinal, visit

www.rebuild.org/partnerships/bp_search.asp and select

Waterless Company LLC.

The patented EcoTrap system relies on the proven vertical trap system

and fits a standard two-inch drain connection.

“Waterless No-Flush urinals save on

average between 30,000-50,000

gallons of water and sewer per

urinal per year.”

-Klaus Reichardt

X-Traptor

Access Slots

EcoTrap®

BlueSeal®

Urine

To Drain

© Waterless Co 1996

Cross-Section of EcoTrap®
U.S. Department of Energy 9

constructed over 6,500 energy-efficient houses through its

builder members. The $200,000 showcase house, constructed

by Certified Living, Inc., of Atlanta, GA and the Captain

Planet Foundation, uses passive heating and cooling design;

low-emissivity, spectrally selective, high performance

windows; integrated HVAC design; R-38 roof and R-23 wall

and floor airtight panels; and energy-efficient appliances. The

entire building envelope is made up of pre-manufactured

structural insulated panels (SIPs). Studies show that houses

built with SIPs, which are sturdy, load-bearing laminates

made of polystyrene or polyisocyanurate rigid foam and

wood board facing, use 50% less energy and are three times

stronger than conventional wood-framed houses with

fiberglass insulation. While the 1700 square foot house is

well-insulated, mechanical fresh air ventilation insures good

indoor air-quality.

Because the house is 90% more efficient than the average

house, it is possible to generate enough electricity on-site for

the homeowners, without sacrificing comforts or

conveniences. Homeowners, however, do need to tune their

electricity use to the available solar supply. Eight photovoltaic

(PV) panels, measuring 7’x 6’ each, were installed on the roof

to provide the household with 4 kilowatts (peak) of

electricity. A 30,000 Btu solar water heating roof panel, when

operating at peak efficiency, can deliver most of the hot

water needs of a family of four. Plans call for the house to

be connected to the local utility company’s electric grid

power supply, when night-time and rainy days can result in

peak power demands exceeding the PV supply. When the

photovoltaic panels produce more electricity than the house

needs, the excess power can be sold back to the local

electric utility provider. Photovoltaic panels installed next to

the house during construction even provided enough power

for operating the power tools.

The demonstration house was a popular attraction at the

Atlanta Home Show, and the nation’s capital, this spring.

According to Betsy Pettit, President of the Building Science

Consortium, “The builder has already sold several of the

houses to people who attended the displays in Atlanta, GA,

and Washington, DC.” Although the house has many energyefficient features that come with a premium—high

performance windows, high-efficiency HVAC system, longlasting metal roof—much of their added cost can be offset by

smaller mechanical components and reduced operational,

maintenance, and replacement costs. Many home lenders

even offer energy-efficient or “green” mortgages that allow

buyers of qualified energy-efficient houses to subtract the

expected energy savings from the monthly Principal, Interest,

Tax and Insurance (PITI) formula before calculating the

expense-to-income ratio for a mortgage. This allows many

borrowers to qualify for larger loans, possibly at lower

interest rates.

Continued from page 1

Leave Utility Bills Behind at Zero Energy Vacation House

The cost of the photovoltaic system for the house, about

$32,000, is a significant investment. However, for an

increasing number of vacation and first homes, the cost of

getting utilities to remote sites, dealing with unreliable utility

power supply and increasing utility rates is fueling strong

interest in houses that can produce most, if not all, of their

energy supply. More states are even offering substantial

subsidies for residential solar systems, which can help offset

the cost of investing in a PV system.

The vacation house was designed not only to demonstrate

the zero energy concept, but also to show the public some

practical ways to increase energy efficiency in their own

houses. After successful demonstrations in Atlanta and

Washington, DC this spring, plans call for the house to return

to Atlanta to be displayed later in the year at SciTrek, an

interactive science and technology museum. With rising costs

of utilities, zero energy houses are becoming more attractive

to consumers. The combination of available technology and

construction costs that rival a conventional house has turned

the dream of an energy self-sufficient house into a reality.

For more information on Building America and the zero

energy demonstration house, contact George James at

george.james@ee.doe.gov or visit Building America online at

http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/building_america/.

Some electricity usage figures for common

household items and appliances. Add up the watts

for items you might imagine being turned on at the

same time for an idea of peak usage.

Kitchen

Coffee Maker 219 W

Dishwasher 166 W

Microwave Oven 1500 W

Lighting

60-W Incandescent Lamp 60 W

100-W Incandescent Lamp 100 W

Bedroom and Bathroom

Hair Dryer 710 W

Laundry Room

Clothes Washer 138 W

Home Electronics

Computer (CPU & Monitor) 182 W/30 W

Rack Stereo 53 W

Color Television 83 W

Heating & Cooling

Furnace Fan 295 W

Window Fan 30 W

Water Heating

Water Heater-Family of 4 4500 W

Miscellaneous

Well Pump 725 W

Total Peak Load Potential 8791 W
10 U.S. Department of Energy

Snap Shot: Carla Clemons

Carla Clemons is a Rebuild America Team Lead in the U.S.

Department of Energy (DOE) Chicago Regional Office. 

Vital Statistics

Carla lives in Crystal Lake, IL, with her 18-year-old son,

Scott, who will be attending McHenry County College this fall.

How long have you been working with the

Rebuild America program?

I have been involved with Rebuild America since 1998; first

at the local level implementing community energy programs

and second as a DOE Regional Team Lead.

How did you get into this line of work?

I responded to a help-wanted ad in 1982 for an

intake/outreach worker and building assessor for the

Illinois Home Weatherization and Energy Assistance

programs. Then, in 1993, I began working with the State

Energy Office of Illinois to develop the state's first

community energy programs. We began incorporating the

resources of Rebuild America in 1998.

What brought you to Chicago?

I grew up in Woodstock, IL, a rural suburb of Chicago

(where the movies “Groundhog Day” and “Planes, Trains

and Automobiles” were filmed) and I have lived in the

area most of my life. I love Chicago and the Midwest.

What do you find most rewarding about your

work?

Facilitating knowledge transfer (best practices) among our

Rebuild America partnerships; helping them to tap the

endless resources of the Rebuild America network. I also

enjoy visiting local communities with our Rebuild America

State Energy Office Representatives in the region.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Just about anything outdoors and helping my son restore

his classic car (a 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS).

What is your favorite thing about Chicago?

The skyline is among the most beautiful in the world.

What is your dream job?

I really enjoy what I'm doing, but I'd love to be able to

telecommute from my home. My commute is two hours per

day via train.

What is your dream vacation?

My dream is to visit every state in the U.S. and every

continent on earth.

Carla Clemons

one-of-a-kind host city, New Orleans. Don’t miss our Stroll

through the French Quarter reception Monday evening in

the Exhibit Hall; our Celebrate New Orleans! event on

Wednesday night, held off-site at Generations Hall; and our

awards luncheon on Thursday where all of our best of the

best will be honored. 

We greatly appreciate our generous sponsors who have

contributed so much to creating a successful conference.

Special recognition goes to our Platinum Premier Sponsor,

Siemens Building Technologies. We also salute our

Premier Sponsors: Angelo Brothers/Westinghouse,

Entergy, Honeywell and NYSERDA. We also want to

recognize our Supporting Sponsors: Magnaray

International, McQuay International, TRACO, Trane

and Universal Natural Light. Be sure to visit our sponsors

and exhibitors in the Exhibit Hall. 

I wish all of you an enjoyable and successful conference

experience. For those of you who couldn’t join us, please

be sure to look for details and photos on www.rebuild.gov

in the days and weeks to follow. We hope to see you all at

our next conference in 2004.

Dan Sze is National Program Manager of Rebuild America

Continued from page 3

View from DC
U.S. Department of Energy 11

Continued from page 5

Energy Fund Boosts Performance Contracts, Energy

Investment in Louisiana

lamps. In late June, the company announced the creation of the

Westinghouse Energy Group, a unit focused on promoting

energy efficiency within the Westinghouse lighting product line.

Weighing in from the world of high tech is Honeywell

International Inc., a supplier of industrial control systems and

high-efficiency electrical power transformers, among a large

number of other products and services. From its headquarters

in Morristown, NJ, Honeywell runs a business empire that has a

hand in everything from polyester to space exploration.

Adding local color is a literal as well as metaphorical

powerhouse – Entergy Corporation, the New Orleans-based

electric utility giant. The company announced last year its own

greenhouse gas reduction program, which also targets

improvements in the energy efficiency of its power plants. As of

May 2002, Entergy had devoted $8.1 million to 26 such

reduction projects, 18 of them involving increases in operating

efficiencies at five power plants.

Our supporting sponsors include McQuay International,

The Trane Company, TRACO and MAGNARAY®

International. Two of them help keep us cool: McQuay

International (based in Minneapolis, MN) and Trane (an

American Standard division directing its commercial and

industrial operations from La Crosse, WI). Both are makers of

air conditioning equipment. They also provide equipment for

other needs, such as heating and ventilating, with attention to

Continued from page 1

Companies Save on Energy, Support National Conference

the technologies that minimize energy consumption for such

systems.

Two supporters that provide people with a view of the

surrounding world are TRACO (based in Cranberry Township,

PA, north of Pittsburgh) and Universal Natural Light

(headquartered in Los Angeles, CA), both makers of windows

and skylights. When windows, skylights and sunrooms are

made with insulating elements built in, they minimize heat loss

in winter or overheating in summer while allowing the full

advantage of daylighting.

MAGNARAY® International (based in Sarasota, FL),

manufactures energy-efficient lighting for exterior uses – signs,

parking lots, sports fields, landscaping and security lighting. 

From the centerpiece Celebrate New Orleans! event on July

31 at historic Generations Hall to any of the pre-conference

tours and other events throughout the week, the commitment

from these organizations is sure to make this conference a

special one. Watch for their representatives in sessions and on

the exhibit floor... and say hello. They’ll appreciate knowing

you value their contributions.

Watch for post-conference features, photos and more on

www.rebuild.gov. It’s one more opportunity to catch up on what

you might have missed.

facilities. Sixteen schools will receive financing to conduct

energy-efficiency upgrades such as lighting change outs,

boiler replacement and solar panels.

McArthur anticipates that the other four pools will receive

approval in late 2002 or early 2003. These include:

• Pool 2 – $50 million in retrofits of public housing

• Pool 3 – $200 million toward state buildings which

include prisons, agency facilities and universities

• Pool 4 – hospitals

• Pool 5 – schools not included in Pool 1

Michael Arny of the Energy Services Coalition, a

Rebuild America Strategic Partner, played a vital role, assisting

the state in drafting model Requests for Proposals and

contracts. Various Business Partners are part of the newlyformed Louisiana Energy Services Coalition, a group eager to

offer their services to the various public entities participating

in the Energy Fund.

These companies realize the business opportunity that will

come with the enormous energy security and environmental

gains the Energy Fund offers. As a result, Louisiana DNR has

had to do less leg work in promoting the program.

“They’re going out and selling the program,” McArthur

says.

While Rebuild Louisiana now has the means to offer

financing for these projects, it has not abandoned its

educational and technical consulting mission. The state

partnership develops profiles, conducts energy analyses and

audits, and assists public institutions to determine where

energy savings can best be realized. The Louisiana DNR will

monitor the projects to ensure that they are achieving their

full energy-savings potential.

For more information on Rebuild Louisiana and the Energy

Fund, contact Louis McArthur at louism@dnr.state.la.us, or

visit www.rebuild.org/partnerships/cp_find.asp and select

Rebuild Louisiana.
Rebuild America is a

network of partnerships –

focused on communities –

that save money by saving

energy. These voluntary partnerships choose

to improve the quality of life in their

communities through energy efficiency.

Rebuild America supports them with

customized assistance backed by technical and

business experts and resources.

Published bimonthly by the U.S. Department

of Energy to report on Rebuild America

activities, Partner Update now incorporates

news from Building America and High

Performance Buildings, energy-efficient

initiatives of the Office of Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy.

REBUILD AMERICA 

Office of Energy Efficiency 

and Renewable Energy

U.S. Department of Energy

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20585-0121

Address Correction Requested

Upcoming Events

High

Performance

BUILDINGS

July

29-8/1 2002 SEP/Rebuild America National Conference

Hotel Intercontinental, New Orleans, LA

Information online at www.2002conference.com

August 

4-8 8th International Symposium on Renewable

Energy Education (ISREE8)

The Grosvenor Resort, Orlando, FL

Visit www.doce-conferences.ufl.edu/isree8/

7-8 Southwest Renewable Energy Fair 

Held in conjunction with the Southwest

Renewable Energy Conference 

Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ

On the Web at http://www.gfec.org/swref/

8-10 3rd Annual Indoor Air Quality Tools for

Schools Symposium

Grand Hyatt Hotel, Washington, DC

See http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/symposium.html

17 Southern California Renewable Energy Expo

The Fairplex, Pomona, CA

Visit www.socalenergyexpo.com

18-23 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA

Online at http://www.aceee.org/conf/bldindex.htm

September

10-11 Effective Approaches to Improving Energy

Efficiency in Public Housing Buildings

Canton, OH

Contact Norma Getto 330-454-8051 x336, or Manny

Anunike 614-466-4092

12-13 High Performance Buildings Conference

Milwaukee, WI

Contact the DOE Chicago Regional Office at 312-

353-6749

To submit news or story ideas, contact: 

Brian Meeley, 202-466-7391, or email

bmeeley@pcgpr.com

NEW!

Check Us Out: www.rebuild.gov or 1-800-DOE-3732

New Partnerships

• City of Apache Junction, AZ

• City of Dayton, OH

• Maryland Energy Administration, MD

• Ohio Farm Bureau Development Corporation, OH

• Orange County Public Schools, FL

• Rebuild Alameda, CA

• Rebuild LA County, CA

• Rebuild Minnesota – City of Duluth, MN

• Rebuild Tenakee Springs, AK

• The Family Project, Healthy House, MN

• TME Energy Services, AR

• Vallivue School District, ID

Marketing and Communications Rebuild

America Help Line 202-466-7868

Secretary of Energy

Spencer Abraham

(right) at a June 12

event co-sponsored

by the United States

Energy Association

(USEA) and Johnson

Controls, Inc. at the

National Press Club

in Washington, DC.

Johnson Controls

Vice President Tom

Gannon surprises

Secretary Abraham

and his wife with a

birthday cake.