Focus on Energy: Helps Wisconsin Businesses Cut Energy Costs By $15 Million

Contacts:
Jennifer Dryburgh / Tim Wirtz
Hoffman York
414-225-9535 / 414-225-9522
jdryburgh@hyc.com
twirtz@hyc.com

MADISON, Wis. (March 4, 2004) – Nearly 3,000 Wisconsin businesses have reduced their annual energy expenses by a total of nearly $15 million since July 2001, thanks to energy efficiency improvements made with the help of Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative. Over their lifetime, these improvements will save state businesses $120.6 million (in today’s dollars) in energy costs.

Focus on Energy has helped Wisconsin businesses of all types and sizes – including industrial and commercial businesses, farms, schools and local governments – implement a broad range of energy saving measures.

“Utility bills are a significant overhead expense for most businesses,” said Hugo Heyns, program director for Focus on Energy’s Business Programs. “By tapping the technical resources available through Focus on Energy, business owners and organizations can cut energy expenses by an average of 15 percent. Those savings can then be reinvested in the business or go straight to the bottom line.”

Wisconsin taxpayers and residents benefit, too. Focus on Energy’s work with school districts, local governments and county governments helps to control taxes and save jobs. The program has also helped businesses statewide grow by increasing demand for energy-saving products and services.

“Energy efficiency is simply a good business investment,” Heyns said. “Reducing operating and maintenance costs makes businesses more competitive. Reducing the amount of electricity and natural gas we use makes Wisconsin less energy dependent and helps ensure that our businesses have ready access to the energy they need. It all adds up to a better business climate for Wisconsin.”

How the Focus on Energy Business Program Works
Focus on Energy helps Wisconsin’s industrial, commercial and agricultural businesses, as well as schools and local governments, curb energy demand by identifying energy and cost saving opportunities. Many improvements are inexpensive to implement and pay for themselves in a year or two. Others require a larger investment, but also deliver bigger results.

Services are available at no up-front cost to eligible customers and include unbiased technical assistance in reviewing energy efficiency improvement projects; support in developing an energy action plan; information about energy efficiency measures and new technologies; referrals to contractors who can implement recommended projects; assistance in finding and providing financing; training; and financial grants for qualifying projects.

Businesses of all sizes and types located throughout the state have realized savings through Focus on Energy. Completed projects are as varied as the customers themselves. Here are a few examples.

Program Successes
McCain Foods USA will save more than $49,000 in annual electricity costs after upgrading the compressed air system at its potato processing plant in Plover, Wis. By reducing annual electricity consumption by more than 1.4 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), the improvement will pay for itself in just two years.

Condon Companies of Ripon, Wis. will save nearly $11,000 annually and reduce its annual energy consumption by 145,377 kWh with the installation of anti-condensate controls on food and beverage coolers at 11 of its convenience stores. The controls ensure that heaters in the refrigerator doors run only when needed to control humidity and prevent the doors from fogging up.

At Ladysmith High School in Ladysmith, Wis., a few relatively modest upgrades – energy efficient lighting, insulated water pipes, improved roof insulation and a more energy efficient swimming pool pump – will reduce annual energy costs by nearly $69,000, equivalent to the salary and insurance costs for one full-time teacher.

Creating New Business Opportunities
Growing interest in renewable energy has fueled expansion of a small business market in the state – contractors who install and repair solar domestic water heating systems. Skyrocketing energy prices and deepening environmental awareness have increased homeowners’ interest in using the sun’s energy to heat their water. Plumbing, heating and cooling, and other contractors have seized the opportunity to expand their businesses. Focus on Energy currently has a roster of 20 contractors who install and repair solar water heating systems – twice as many as last year – and more are expected to join the program in the coming months.

Overall Program Success
Focus on Energy’s work with state businesses is just part of the program’s success. Residential utility ratepayers have benefited, too. To date, Focus on Energy’s Business, Residential and Renewable Energy programs have saved utility ratepayers nearly $29.7 million. The savings will reach $245 million over the lifetime of the energy-saving measures implemented.

About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy is a public-private partnership offering energy information and services to energy utility customers throughout Wisconsin. The goals of this program are to encourage energy efficiency and use of renewable energy, enhance the environment and ensure the future supply of energy for Wisconsin. For more information, call 800-762-7077 or visit www.focusonenergy.com.