Cornhusker Power finds savings in going green

Going green and a focus on efficiency have long been a part of the culture at Cornhusker Public Power District.

Residential, industrial and commercial customers are rewarded with rebates and energy savings for installing efficient lighting and efficient heating systems and industrial customers are aided in their efforts to reduce electricity use through the utility’s energy audits.

The costs of replacing line construction material are reduced through the utility’s recycling efforts. Materials that are not outdated are reused and when line technicians remove poles, bolts, insulators, wood cross-arms and other materials are saved and used again whenever possible. Materials that cannot be used can often be sold as scrap.

Storekeeper, Paul Yrkoski, sorts materials including aluminum, copper, steel and brass for sale to scrap dealers. Wood pallets are returned to the trucking companies to be used again.

“By reusing salvaged material and the money we receive from recycling, we saved $100,000 in 2007,” said CEO/General Manager Ron Hostetter.

The utility also filters and reuses the 10 to 15 gallons of oil contained in its oil circuit reclosers at the time maintenance is performed. With nearly 700 reclosers located throughout Cornhusker’s service area the money and resources saved are significant.

A grant from the Nebraska State Recycling Association for a recycling trailer has been received. A recycling trailer will be placed along Highway 81 in front of Cornhusker Power later this fall.

Cornhusker began a campaign in fall 2007 to encourage energy efficiency through the installation of compact fluorescent lamps. The program will continue in 2008 and discount coupons of $1 and $3 for purchasing compact fluorescent lamps will be available this October through the Energy Wise program. All public power districts work with local retailers and provide them with coupons so customers can use them to purchase compact fluorescent lamps at a discounted price.

A security light illuminates most farmsteads in Cornhusker rural areas. The blue mercury vapor lights are being replaced with high-pressure sodium lamps. Those lights give off the same amount of light with 40 percent savings in energy. Cornhusker currently offers a $20 to $40 rebate to customers who make the conversion.

Since 1983, the marketing department has promoted the installation of high efficiency heat pumps by giving rebates to customers. The more efficient the heat pump, the less energy that is used. Customers are rewarded for installing efficient heat pumps.

Those who install a 14 Seasonal Energy Efficient Rating (SEER) air source heat pump received a $200 rebate; 15 SEER a $250 rebate and 16 SEER a $300 rebate.

Customers receive $400 for installing a ground source heat pump.

“Cornhusker Power and Loup Power District encourage heating dealers to verify the efficiency of recently installed heat pumps,” said Information and Marketing Director Judy Trautwein. “If the heat pump is not installed properly, customers aren’t receiving the efficiency they paid for. Customers who have recently purchased a heat pump should ask for this verification. Nebraska Public Power District pays dealers for this analysis and it is free to the customer.”

“Our Web site, cornhusker-power.com, offers Touchstone Energy Savers,” Trautwein said. “Programs on the site include an online home energy audit, a light bulb energy saver calculator, home energy savings guide and a kid’s zone to help children learn how to help their family create a more energy efficient home.

“Irrigation load control saves 60 megawatts,” said CEO/General Manager Ron Hostetter. “When we cut the amount of electricity we purchase from our wholesale supplier, NPPD, we help them delay building another power plant. All electricity users will pay for the huge cost of building a new power plant,” he said.

Because Cornhusker does not control electric irrigation pumps at night, farmers irrigate in the evening. Water is conserved because less evaporation occurs at night.

Cornhusker serves large industrial customers in the east industrial area and offers energy audits to help these customers reduce energy use. When more expertise is needed, Cornhusker partners with Nebraska Public Power District industrial and business account consultants.

Also, through their affiliation with Touchstone Energy, business customers are offered a wide variety information and resources to help them in their day-to-day energy management. An E-Energy Resource Library offers information and energy-saving ideas, purchasing advice, commercial energy advice and operations and maintenance advice.

For commercial and industrial customers, rebates are given for changing out inefficient lighting.

“Electrical usage in the area is growing, which is contributing to the increased use of existing power generation facilities and the expected need for additional power generation facilities in the future,” Hostetter said. “The collective impact of even the smallest individual actions to reduce electric consumption can make a big difference overall.

Cornhusker Public Power District’s service territory includes rural Platte, Boone, Nance, Colfax, parts of Greeley and Wheeler and Columbus east industrial area.