Dept. Of Administration Says Initiative Is Saving Electricity Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency initiative targeted at business and residential energy customers, has reduced electricity demand by 47 megawatts since it was inaugurated two years ago, according to information from the Wisconsin Department of Administration. "That's roughly the energy produced by one new peaking power plant," explained Peter Bock, Administrator of the Department of Administration's Energy Division, which oversees the program. "By improving the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses, state utility rate payers have already saved $24 million and over the life of the energy-saving measures, the cost savings (in today's dollars) will reach over $200 million." The program has reduced energy consumption in the state by 267.8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 12.4 million therms of natural gas. "This is equivalent to the annual energy needs of 36,500 average Wisconsin homes," Bock noted. "Based on these savings, the Focus on Energy program is offsetting energy use in Wisconsin for about 1.8 cents per kWh, which is significantly lower than the cost of generating electricity. With the increased demand for electricity and the skyrocketing cost of natural gas, Focus on Energy is clearly providing significant benefits to Wisconsin residents." Bock stressed that the program is a sound investment overall, yielding a 316 percent return over the life of the energy efficiency improvements. "This means that every $1 invested in the program will produce $3.16 in cost savings. By reducing energy use, the program is helping offset the impact of higher energy costs for business and residential utility consumers. This allows our state to become less energy dependent, more environmentally friendly and a stronger competitor in the business market." Bock said. The program's success is the cumulative result of efforts in three primary areas: business programs, residential programs and renewable energy. Business Programs Energy efficient measures at state businesses are responsible for more than half of the overall Focus on Energy program success, delivering savings of more than $11.4 million to date while reducing energy consumption by more than 136.8 million kWh of electricity and more than 6.3 million therms of natural gas. Over the life of these measures, savings will total more than $92,808,000. In Superior, the Challenge Center, a Catholic Charities Bureau Affiliate that helps adults with developmental disabilities, installed a new geothermal system that taps into the heat stored in the earth's soil that will reduce their annual energy costs by $7,595. In the Green Bay area, Festival Foods installed energy efficient lighting at three locations to realize annual energy savings of 201,517 kWh of electricity. Residential Programs Focus on Energy's residential programs help consumers make smart energy choices at home. In addition to promoting ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances and lighting, these programs work with builders, remodelers and even apartment building managers to deliver comfortable, safe, durable and energy efficient homes. To date this program has saved residents more than $11 million and has reduced energy consumption by more than 127 million kWh and 2.8 million therms of natural gas. Over the life of these measures, savings will total more than $104 million. In addition to saving residents money and energy, businesses have also benefited from the program. * In Beloit, Park Avenue Apartments will save 11,063 therms of natural gas annually as a result of energy efficiency recommendations made to replace boilers and reset controls and install water-saving equipment. * In DePere, Van's Heating and Air conditioning installed more than 260 furnaces with energy-efficient fan motors and more than 200 energy saving central air conditioning units. Renewable Programs Focus on Energy's Renewable Energy program has helped businesses and residents turn sun, wind, water and organic resources into electricity, heat and fuel. This component of the program has saved residents $314,359 to date. Over the life of the measures, the savings, in today's dollars, will total over $3.3 million. For example, at Nicolet College in Rhinelander, a 10 kW wind turbine, two types of photovoltaic solar systems and an energy monitoring system were installed as part of a new renewable energy training program at the college.