And unless Boulder County businesses act by year's end, nearly a quarter million dollars in rebates aimed to
upgrade commercial buildings and improve energy efficiency will vanish as revelers welcome in 2012.
Since January, $217,000 in EnergySmart rebates have helped 230 commercial properties sport new, high-efficiency
lighting. Eighteen have upgraded heating, air conditioning and water heaters, and 16 boast improved
refrigeration.
The funding is part of $12 million awarded to Boulder County by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) through the Department of Energy's Better Buildings Program.
The grant runs through May 2013 and helps power the EnergySmart program, which targets both businesses and
residences for energy-efficiency upgrades.
Until Dec. 31, Xcel Energy is sweetening the deal with a 50 percent bonus rebate for businesses that retrofit
their heat-producing, halogen lights to high-efficiency T8 fluorescent lighting and high-efficiency electronic
ballasts.
"The biggest bang for the buck on the commercial side is to look at lighting and do a lighting upgrade,"says
Mary Wiener, an energy efficiency and sustainability specialist who advises business and commercial property
owners for EnergySmart. "In retail, 40 percent of your electric bill can be from lighting.”
The light bulbs are changing anyway. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 will end production of the
T12s in July. "When we found out about [EnergySmart rebates], we were blown away,"says Wade Arnold of The
Colorado Group, a commercial real estate firm serving the Front Range. "I have three other partners, and we're
all looking at each other saying, 'What's the catch here?' You think it's too good to be true.”
Tenant Randy Patton of Wild Goose Engineering approached Arnold about improving the lighting in its space on
55th Street in Boulder.
"They weren't happy with the quality of the light in their space, and they were looking to try and save energy
costs,"Arnold said.
Arnold's decision to upgrade the warehouse's lighting cost him $13,654; he'll recoup $11,399 in rebates.
"We've had a significant improvement in the working environment as a result of the energy upgrade,"says Patton,
who directs business operations at Wild Goose Engineering. "We manufacture high-precision, detailed products, so
the improvement in the lighting was significant. The fact that our landlord was willing to participate is
another reason why we're staying with Wade Arnold and The Colorado Group.”
Since January, nearly 1,000 commercial decision-makers have sought guidance from Wiener and her colleagues.
EnergySmart's advisers perform an energy audit or analyze one already performed by the utility. They collaborate
to establish the clients' goals and priorities, budget and available rebates. They connect them with pre-
approved contractors, help them analyze bids and fill in any rebate paperwork. The advisers, in essence, help
folks flip the switch with one-stop shopping.
2011年11月17日星期四
2011年11月13日星期日
IDAHO HISTORY: Electric lights came to Idaho in August 1882
“The first electric light in Idaho was struck at the Philadelphia Company’s smelters an evening or two ago, and has since been giving satisfactory service.”
The town of Ketchum contracted with the smelter to use two lights of the six-light system on its main street.
A week later the paper noted, “Masters, the electric lighter, who put in operation the electric machine at the Philadelphia Smelter, has gone to Muldoon for the purpose of putting in a similar light in the Little Wood River Co.’s smelters.” W.F. Masters was next called north to Vienna in the Sawtooth Mountains to install electric lights in the quartz mill there. The Keystone said Masters “has become reputable in the Wood River country as a machinist and constructor of electric lights.”
None of these smelters and mills could operate at night without adequate lighting. With their new electric systems installed they could work around the clock. When the Philadelphia Smelter closed down at the end of November 1882, perhaps because the snow was too deep for the mule-drawn wagons to bring in the ore, the paper reported, “The town misses the nightly glare of the electric lights and rumbling of the rock-breakers at the Philadelphia Smelting works.”
The Idaho Statesman expressed the opinion in April 1886, that the things Boise City needed most were a water works, an electric light plant and a sewer system. “It would pay capitalists to invest in the two former.” (Apparently the paper thought a sewer system would be far costlier, and the technology harder to come by.)
In August 1886, Boise City began negotiations with the Sperry Electric Light & Motor Co. of Chicago to help organize a locally-owned light company.
On Oct. 4, 1886, the Boise City Electric Light Co. was formed, and in November the paper could report: “William H. Ridenbaugh has a large force of men at work on the reservoir for the electric light plant. The works will be located just under the bluffs this side of the cemetery on the south side of the river, and the dynamos will be run by water power. A large copper wire will be stretched across the river to connect with the network in the city, to the places of the various consumers. It will be quite an improvement to see the various places of business lighted with electricity instead of coal oil, and we hope to see the city lighted up at no distant day with lights at all principal corners.”
In February 1887, “The electric light contracted for last fall has been delayed but not lost. So far the contractor has done nothing, and the company he represented has failed.”
Despite this setback, the machinery for the plant arrived in April and light poles were being set up downtown. The Statesman thought “the policy of allowing the poles to be put up on Main Street may be questioned.”
Boise’s electric lights were turned on for the first time on July 4, 1887, “adding to the brilliancy” of the occasion. By August, lights had been installed in the Overland Hotel at Eighth and Main.
In September, “The City Council has signified its willingness to place a limited number of electric lights on the streets for the purpose of lighting the city.”
The town of Ketchum contracted with the smelter to use two lights of the six-light system on its main street.
A week later the paper noted, “Masters, the electric lighter, who put in operation the electric machine at the Philadelphia Smelter, has gone to Muldoon for the purpose of putting in a similar light in the Little Wood River Co.’s smelters.” W.F. Masters was next called north to Vienna in the Sawtooth Mountains to install electric lights in the quartz mill there. The Keystone said Masters “has become reputable in the Wood River country as a machinist and constructor of electric lights.”
None of these smelters and mills could operate at night without adequate lighting. With their new electric systems installed they could work around the clock. When the Philadelphia Smelter closed down at the end of November 1882, perhaps because the snow was too deep for the mule-drawn wagons to bring in the ore, the paper reported, “The town misses the nightly glare of the electric lights and rumbling of the rock-breakers at the Philadelphia Smelting works.”
The Idaho Statesman expressed the opinion in April 1886, that the things Boise City needed most were a water works, an electric light plant and a sewer system. “It would pay capitalists to invest in the two former.” (Apparently the paper thought a sewer system would be far costlier, and the technology harder to come by.)
In August 1886, Boise City began negotiations with the Sperry Electric Light & Motor Co. of Chicago to help organize a locally-owned light company.
On Oct. 4, 1886, the Boise City Electric Light Co. was formed, and in November the paper could report: “William H. Ridenbaugh has a large force of men at work on the reservoir for the electric light plant. The works will be located just under the bluffs this side of the cemetery on the south side of the river, and the dynamos will be run by water power. A large copper wire will be stretched across the river to connect with the network in the city, to the places of the various consumers. It will be quite an improvement to see the various places of business lighted with electricity instead of coal oil, and we hope to see the city lighted up at no distant day with lights at all principal corners.”
In February 1887, “The electric light contracted for last fall has been delayed but not lost. So far the contractor has done nothing, and the company he represented has failed.”
Despite this setback, the machinery for the plant arrived in April and light poles were being set up downtown. The Statesman thought “the policy of allowing the poles to be put up on Main Street may be questioned.”
Boise’s electric lights were turned on for the first time on July 4, 1887, “adding to the brilliancy” of the occasion. By August, lights had been installed in the Overland Hotel at Eighth and Main.
In September, “The City Council has signified its willingness to place a limited number of electric lights on the streets for the purpose of lighting the city.”
2011年11月10日星期四
City modernizing traffic controls
About 35 Downtown intersections will be getting modern LED traffic lights and other improvements in a three-year, $3.8 million project, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced Wednesday.
The project also portends a cultural shift. Because the project will increase the city's capacity to control traffic lights remotely, fewer police officers will be needed to operate lights manually during rush hour and big events.
The work will begin next spring with improvements to four intersections -- the Boulevard of the Allies' intersections with Cherry Way, Commonwealth Place and Market and Stanwix streets.
Besides new traffic signals, the work will include enhanced lighting, new crosswalks and new pedestrian crossing signals with audible and digital countdown features.
"By investing in twenty-first century technology, we will make it easier and safer to live in and visit Downtown Pittsburgh," Mr. Ravenstahl said in a statement. Similar work will be done at 30 other intersections "all over the Downtown area," mayoral spokeswoman Joanna Doven said.
Legislation authorizing the project will be introduced in city council today.
Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, a business group, said the project is a "great opportunity to use technology" to improve the experiences of commuters and occasional visitors.
"I think it is a great plus for Downtown," he said.
The city's goals are not only to increase public safety, but to improve traffic flow and ease congestion. Workers will be able to operate traffic lights remotely, so timing can be changed in advance of sporting events or adjusted on the fly if accidents, construction, snow storms or other factors warrant.
"Modernizing our traffic lights will make employees more efficient," Mr. Ravenstahl said, noting fewer officers will be needed to operate lights manually, freeing them up for other duties.
The city and state Department of Transportation will share costs. A breakdown was not available Tuesday.
Net income of $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 is mainly based on one-time gains from the legal settlement with Lightech in the quarter." stated Bruce Cousins, Chief Executive Officer. "I am delighted to have recently joined Carmanah and am optimistic of the growth opportunity for the company." Cousins continued. "With dramatic decreases in solar panel pricing, continuing breakthrough's in LED technology and anticipated breakthrough's in battery technology, Carmanah is well positioned to capitalize on the integration of this technology as "we put solar to work."
The project also portends a cultural shift. Because the project will increase the city's capacity to control traffic lights remotely, fewer police officers will be needed to operate lights manually during rush hour and big events.
The work will begin next spring with improvements to four intersections -- the Boulevard of the Allies' intersections with Cherry Way, Commonwealth Place and Market and Stanwix streets.
Besides new traffic signals, the work will include enhanced lighting, new crosswalks and new pedestrian crossing signals with audible and digital countdown features.
"By investing in twenty-first century technology, we will make it easier and safer to live in and visit Downtown Pittsburgh," Mr. Ravenstahl said in a statement. Similar work will be done at 30 other intersections "all over the Downtown area," mayoral spokeswoman Joanna Doven said.
Legislation authorizing the project will be introduced in city council today.
Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, a business group, said the project is a "great opportunity to use technology" to improve the experiences of commuters and occasional visitors.
"I think it is a great plus for Downtown," he said.
The city's goals are not only to increase public safety, but to improve traffic flow and ease congestion. Workers will be able to operate traffic lights remotely, so timing can be changed in advance of sporting events or adjusted on the fly if accidents, construction, snow storms or other factors warrant.
"Modernizing our traffic lights will make employees more efficient," Mr. Ravenstahl said, noting fewer officers will be needed to operate lights manually, freeing them up for other duties.
The city and state Department of Transportation will share costs. A breakdown was not available Tuesday.
Net income of $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 is mainly based on one-time gains from the legal settlement with Lightech in the quarter." stated Bruce Cousins, Chief Executive Officer. "I am delighted to have recently joined Carmanah and am optimistic of the growth opportunity for the company." Cousins continued. "With dramatic decreases in solar panel pricing, continuing breakthrough's in LED technology and anticipated breakthrough's in battery technology, Carmanah is well positioned to capitalize on the integration of this technology as "we put solar to work."
2011年10月24日星期一
Lush launch
Tossing away all modicum of modesty, since the tone was set right at the book launching last Thursday, this author impinges on your patience, and imposes the following exercise in breast-beating.
I believe it was good ol’ buddy Pete Lacaba whom I overheard mock-griping at the Champagne Room of The Manila Hotel (even as he had reduced anew the amber-colored contents of the third single malt whisky bottle propping me up at my author’s signing table): “How can anyone else launch a book now, after this guy’s set the bar so high?” Or something like that.
A similar comment was voiced by another good ol’ buddy, National Artist for Literature Rio Almario, who more or less opined to us in private: “Ang yabang mo.” Or something like that. Heh heh. Well, flaunt it if you’ve got it, an abiding principle goes, especially when it has to do with the magical power of friendship.
It so happens that I dine and drink regularly with a gracious couple, Ricky and Ginny Banaag, at La Regalade French bistro on Arnaiz Avenue, where hearty dalliances are conducted with perennial host Bubot Quicho, the first ever Pinoy GM of a five-star hotel in Manila (the Hyatt, way back when).
Sometime ago Ginny became a Veep at The Grand Old Lady, which everyone now says has acquired more than just a facelift, maybe since she helped take over the proceedings, from décor to menus to getting the once-fabled Tap Room back as a livewire jazz venue, with maestro Romy Posadas headlining the scintillating live performances on a nightly basis — various divas alternating on voice — plus Sandra and Jun Viray and the recently departed (with much lament) Koyang Ed Avenir.
When Cirque de Soleil was in town, hosted by Manila Hotel, we were invited to a post-performance party at Champagne Room. We hadn’t seen it decked out in such classy finery for ages, but that night it was back in exquisite form, as elegant as they come for convivial parlors, with crystal palm trees by Impy Pilapil.
Then last month Philippines Graphic magazine held its annual Nick Joaquin Awards for the Short Story at Maynila Hall, and again we saw how this venue, last visited when then President Erap gave out millions in cash prizes for the 1998 Centennial Literary Awards for the Novel, had not only had its patina burnished, but proved captivating with such ambience as can be provided by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin’s original design.
Somewhere in Pasig, closer to home? Maybe at Midas Touch, helped run by Bedan buddy Jun Diangco, where a large terrace offered a good view of Marikina Valley awash in lights once the sun went down. But what if it rained? Booklover friends might scurry to the casino tables and lose their shirts before they could pick up a copy of my 26th title.
Then I thought of texting amiga Ginny. What about Manila Hotel? I was pleasantly surprised to see her SMS reply in bold, “Amin na yan!” Or something like that. She asked how many guests we would expect, said something about Sampaguita Hall having been newly refurbished. I said I liked where we partied with the sirkeros, having retained good loving memories of my date that night, er, rather, the night altogether.
I believe it was good ol’ buddy Pete Lacaba whom I overheard mock-griping at the Champagne Room of The Manila Hotel (even as he had reduced anew the amber-colored contents of the third single malt whisky bottle propping me up at my author’s signing table): “How can anyone else launch a book now, after this guy’s set the bar so high?” Or something like that.
A similar comment was voiced by another good ol’ buddy, National Artist for Literature Rio Almario, who more or less opined to us in private: “Ang yabang mo.” Or something like that. Heh heh. Well, flaunt it if you’ve got it, an abiding principle goes, especially when it has to do with the magical power of friendship.
It so happens that I dine and drink regularly with a gracious couple, Ricky and Ginny Banaag, at La Regalade French bistro on Arnaiz Avenue, where hearty dalliances are conducted with perennial host Bubot Quicho, the first ever Pinoy GM of a five-star hotel in Manila (the Hyatt, way back when).
Sometime ago Ginny became a Veep at The Grand Old Lady, which everyone now says has acquired more than just a facelift, maybe since she helped take over the proceedings, from décor to menus to getting the once-fabled Tap Room back as a livewire jazz venue, with maestro Romy Posadas headlining the scintillating live performances on a nightly basis — various divas alternating on voice — plus Sandra and Jun Viray and the recently departed (with much lament) Koyang Ed Avenir.
When Cirque de Soleil was in town, hosted by Manila Hotel, we were invited to a post-performance party at Champagne Room. We hadn’t seen it decked out in such classy finery for ages, but that night it was back in exquisite form, as elegant as they come for convivial parlors, with crystal palm trees by Impy Pilapil.
Then last month Philippines Graphic magazine held its annual Nick Joaquin Awards for the Short Story at Maynila Hall, and again we saw how this venue, last visited when then President Erap gave out millions in cash prizes for the 1998 Centennial Literary Awards for the Novel, had not only had its patina burnished, but proved captivating with such ambience as can be provided by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin’s original design.
Somewhere in Pasig, closer to home? Maybe at Midas Touch, helped run by Bedan buddy Jun Diangco, where a large terrace offered a good view of Marikina Valley awash in lights once the sun went down. But what if it rained? Booklover friends might scurry to the casino tables and lose their shirts before they could pick up a copy of my 26th title.
Then I thought of texting amiga Ginny. What about Manila Hotel? I was pleasantly surprised to see her SMS reply in bold, “Amin na yan!” Or something like that. She asked how many guests we would expect, said something about Sampaguita Hall having been newly refurbished. I said I liked where we partied with the sirkeros, having retained good loving memories of my date that night, er, rather, the night altogether.
2011年10月10日星期一
Delivers Additional KC-135 Portable LED Cargo Bay Lighting Kits to Air Mobility Command
Patriot Taxiway Industries announced the delivery of 40 additional KC-135 Portable LED Cargo Lighting System kits to the Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Earlier this year, the command’s Surgeon General Office ordered16 kits to be deployed with medical crews in support of worldwide Aeromedical Evacuation mission. Doctors and nurses praised the improved Diving lamp inside the cargo compartment, which enhanced the capability to perform basic and emergency inflight medical care to wounded military personnel.
“With Patriot Taxiway’s President Steven Smits and myself having a long background in the KC-135 community it has been an honor to provide lighting to improve the lifesaving Aeromedical mission on the KC-135,” stated Kevin McDermott Vice President Patriot Taxiway Industries. “We look forward to providing more systems to improve every mission on the KC-135.”
The lighting kit was featured at the International Aeromedical Evacuation and En Route Care Conference in July at McCord Field, Washington State. Hundreds of aeromedical evacuation professionals from 28 nations got a first hand look of the latest in LED technology installed inside the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker. Patriot’s lighting kit produces more than 30 times the illumination that the original lighting system designed for the aircraft. Lighting is critical for aeromedical crews to observe the patient’s vital signs, changes in skin color and monitoring of medical equipment.
“It is humbling to have doctors and nurses compliment us on the improved lighting for the mission to bring home our wounded warriors from Afghanistan to Germany and then on to the US,” stated Phil Walesa, Director of Engineering.
Today, there are 60 lighting kits being used by the Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard aeromedical crews during worldwide deployments.
Patriot Taxiway Industries Inc is a service-disabled veteran owned small business that provides design, manufacturing, and delivery of quality LED products, along with the excellent service and support to their customers worldwide. In addition to portable runway lighting systems, Patriot Taxiway also provides airfield lighting support equipment, heli-pad lighting, and aircraft lighting to both branches of the military.
Patriot Taxiway Industries Inc actively recruits veterans to draw upon their skills, experience, commitment, and integrity in order to provider a superior product and service. Patriot Taxiway reaches out to the veteran community through the local veteran service officers to reach into the rich experience and knowledge of our veterans.
“With Patriot Taxiway’s President Steven Smits and myself having a long background in the KC-135 community it has been an honor to provide lighting to improve the lifesaving Aeromedical mission on the KC-135,” stated Kevin McDermott Vice President Patriot Taxiway Industries. “We look forward to providing more systems to improve every mission on the KC-135.”
The lighting kit was featured at the International Aeromedical Evacuation and En Route Care Conference in July at McCord Field, Washington State. Hundreds of aeromedical evacuation professionals from 28 nations got a first hand look of the latest in LED technology installed inside the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker. Patriot’s lighting kit produces more than 30 times the illumination that the original lighting system designed for the aircraft. Lighting is critical for aeromedical crews to observe the patient’s vital signs, changes in skin color and monitoring of medical equipment.
“It is humbling to have doctors and nurses compliment us on the improved lighting for the mission to bring home our wounded warriors from Afghanistan to Germany and then on to the US,” stated Phil Walesa, Director of Engineering.
Today, there are 60 lighting kits being used by the Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard aeromedical crews during worldwide deployments.
Patriot Taxiway Industries Inc is a service-disabled veteran owned small business that provides design, manufacturing, and delivery of quality LED products, along with the excellent service and support to their customers worldwide. In addition to portable runway lighting systems, Patriot Taxiway also provides airfield lighting support equipment, heli-pad lighting, and aircraft lighting to both branches of the military.
Patriot Taxiway Industries Inc actively recruits veterans to draw upon their skills, experience, commitment, and integrity in order to provider a superior product and service. Patriot Taxiway reaches out to the veteran community through the local veteran service officers to reach into the rich experience and knowledge of our veterans.
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