(NAPSA)—“T’ve come to the conclusion that energy policy is like the weather: Everyone has an opinion on it but expects someone else to do something about it,” said the United States Secretary of Energy, Samuel W. Bodman, at the 18th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum. Harsh words, perhaps. Butit hadto be said. He wasn’t talking about average homeowners changing light bulbs andair filters. He was talk- ing about major energy users— corporate America. Thesingle largest consumersof energy in the country are large commercial and nonresidential buildings. That includes office buildings, schools, government agencies, healthcare facilities, retail centers and military complexes. According to the International Energy Agency, these structures are responsible for nearly 40 percentof all energy consumed. Obviously, it will take a great deal more than changing old incandescent bulbs and cleaning filters in order for these buildings to make a difference. Johnson Controls, Inc., a building efficiency solutions-provider to companies around the world, recommends the following advice to get businesses headed in the right direction: 1. Appoint an “Energy Czar.” Someone must be responsible for driving efforts. 2. Conduct an energy audit; it’s the basis for determining current energy usage. Be sure to set future savingsgoals. 3. Install a building-management system. They can save millions. 4. Consider “performance con- tracting.” This allows you to make upgrades now but pay for them United Energy States Samuel Secretary of W. Bodman addresses the 18th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum. later with funds generated from energy savings. 5. Include renewable energy. Pairing it with efficiency measures yields greater savings. 6. Make employees aware of energy usage. Even turning out unnecessary lights and reducing water usage will go a very long way. For any energy-efficiency plan to be effective, everyone in the company will have to be aware of and responsible for executing these best practices. Secretary Bodman made another interesting observation while at the Energy Efficiency Forum in Washington, “When it says United States Secretary of Energy on your businesscard,like it does on mine, the person they expect to do something about it [energy] is me.” In reality, it will take the persistent efforts of each andevery oneofus. For more information about how your company can reduce energy expenses, click the “Building Efficiency” link at www.john soncontrols.com.
