More than 20 businesses in North Plains and Banks have put themselves on the path to energy efficiency by participating in the year-long "Biggest Loser Contest," sponsored by PGE. According to Adapt Engineering's Tammy Stempel, those businesses should expect to see 15 to 30 percent savings on their utility bills.
Public Works Directors Blake Boyles in North Plains and Jim Hough in Banks continue recruiting businesses into the contest, said Stempel, whose company specializes in energy and water conservation strategies and environmental consulting and engineering. They hope to make businesses see not only the economic benefit of reducing their energy consumption, but also the bigger implications of small changes.
Something as simple as replacing an energy-hogging light bulb can make a huge difference, Stempel said. At Vancouver's Mountain View High School, for example, consultants noted over-lit hallways. After fluorescent bulbs were replaced by high-efficiency bulbs, students and faculty had better lighting, and the school reduced lighting energy costs by nearly 60 percent.
Many energy savings can be found without end-users noticing a change. Programmable thermostats and high-efficiency windows make a big difference to a utility bill, Stempel said. Swapping faucets and shower heads for low-flow heads can dramatically lower the energy needed to heat water.
Stempel stressed that small behavioral changes to reduce energy consumption result in big savings, not just economically, but also environmentally. When consumers conserve energy, utility "companies don't have to invest in new, big energy plants. And overall, the carbon footprint can be reduced on a huge scale. People think baby steps aren't going to make a difference, but they absolutely do," she added.
Stempel expects the residential version of "The Biggest Loser" to start next spring or summer. In the meantime, Banks residents have another way to affect the environment, through the city's first e-recycling program, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 21 in the Banks High School parking lot.
During the event, paid for by a grant from Metro, EG Metal Recycling will accept old computers and electronic devices, appliances, plastic and paper. Some products, like televisions and computer monitors, require a small disposal fee, generally between $5 and $15.
The Megane has undergone a number of styling changes including a new front end with LED daytime running lights on the Dynamique TomTom and above. The bumper features a gloss black finish with chrome highlights, and there are new alloy wheel designs and two new paint finishes - Azzurro Blue and Arctic White.
In terms of line-up, from April, a new entry-level Expression+ will add Bluetooth, USB connection and an upgraded audio system to 4 x 20W radio CD with fingertip remote control and AUX input, to its standard kit which already includes 16-inch alloys, air conditioning and front fog lights.
The top-of-the-range GT-Line TomTom also gets extra kit: auto parking brake with Hill Start Assist, parking camera with rear parking sensors, Arkamys 3D Sound 4x35W audio system - worth 760, but the on-the-road price is only up by 270 over the previous dCi 160 range.
The cabin comes with new interior trims, including a leather pack available in a choice of two finishes. The GT-Line TomTom also features boomerang-shaped LED lights, red upholstery stitching and a sports steering wheel incorporating thumb rests, while Renaultsport-badged door sill guards and dashboard trim strip serve as a reminder that it belongs to the Renaultsport family.
The 1.4 TCe 130 and 2.0 TCe 180 have been dropped from the range, making way for three new Renault engines (as fitted to the Scenic) which all feature Stop & Start technology.
The 1.2 TCe 115 delivers 53.3 mpg on the combined cycle - a theoretical 700 miles on a single tank - with CO2 emissions of 119g/km.
Renault claims a class-leading 80.7 mpg from the 1.5 dCi 110 (with CO2 emissions of 90 g/km) and hails the 1.6 dCi 130 as 'the world's most powerful and frugal diesel engine of its size' with 70.6 mpg and 104g/km CO2 emissions.
Following the Scenic and Grand Scenic, the facelifted Megane becomes the latest Renault to feature the Visio System which assists driver vigilance and night-time vision thanks to a lane departure warning system and automatic high/low beam headlights.
It is eligible for Renault's 4+ programme, which offers retail customers a four-year/100,000 mile warranty, free servicing for four years/48,000 miles, four years roadside cover and up to four years finance (lease or PCP, subject to status).
The new Renault Megane is available to order now, ahead of its official UK launch on 1st April. On-the-road prices start from 16,275 for the Hatch, 16,775 for the Coupe and 17,075 for the Sport Tourer.
Contrac Lighting, a leading manufacturer of lighting solutions for the retail, industrial, commercial and leisure industries, has announced it is one of the first companies in the UK to replace standard 400W HID packages in their luminaires with the Venture Lighting 320W Energy Saving (ES) package and the standard 250W HID with the 200W ES.
The new products bridge the gap between standard HID lamps - which are estimated to account for 80% of the market - and the new style 'high-end' fluorescent lamps.
The 320W and 200W HID packages provide customers looking to use traditional style HID Lowbays, Highbays and Floodlights with a commercially attractive, more energy efficient alternative, delivering 20% savings, no difference in light output - compared to traditional style HID lamps - and no change in set up costs.
This range of advanced energy saving HIDs also offer up to double the lamp life and vastly improved lumen maintenance as standard. With Contrac using this energy saving technology as standard in their traditional style bodies, it gives the option of them being easily integrated into existing applications as and when required, avoiding costly complete refurbishment expenditure.
Anne Shone, managing director at Contrac Lighting commented, "The new energy saving HID lamps are the first of their kind. We are excited to be at the forefront of the market in launching this new technology. The new lighting solutions not only help our customers save energy and money, but reduce carbon emissions as well."
Phil Croker Venture Lighting's OEM sales manager said "In the current climate lighting plays a huge role in meeting the government's targets for reducing carbon emissions. It's fantastic that Venture Lighting Europe are able to work with such a reputable and long standing customer in Contrac Lighting, to promote the new products that are available in HID. This proactive approach that Contrac are taking ensures that end users are receiving key information about the full range of lighting solutions available. For a long time HID has been perceived as old and inefficient but with Venture Lighting's innovative range of energy saving products coupled with the expertise of our OEM's such as Contrac Lighting, HID lighting solutions can realise an exciting new identity."
Both the 320W ES and 200W ES HID packages also meet Contrac's first brand philosophy of only using trusted first brand lamp and control gear manufacturers.
The rooftop of the store will have an edible garden. The pavement will have permeable surface which will facilitate rainwater drainage. Other green elements include a highly reflective rooftop to reduce solar heating in the summer, LED lighting in garage and a combination of LED, T5 and CFL to illuminate the other areas, use of native plants, 76 store skylights that will allow daylight harvesting and energy saving and a building automation system that yields far more energy efficiency.
The other features include light occupancy sensors in office areas, use of de-stratification fans in warehouse to mix air and increase temperature efficiency, and use of low VOC, non-solvent based paints.
The store will have customer take-back recycling for bulbs and batteries, indoor air sensors, low-flow plumbing equipment, sensor enabled faucets in bathrooms, and efficient central heating and cooling plants that warm and cool the building.
Chambersburg Borough Council approved the application for a $150,000 grant to build sports fields and a water feature at Mike Waters Memorial Park.
The grant is part of the $300,000 project from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with the other half coming from Community Development Block Grant money from 2010 to 2012, Guy Shaul, Recreation Department superintendent, said.
Three proposed projects will complete Phase II improvements at the park, including a multipurpose field, water spray pad and pathways in the park, Shaul said.
Officials are estimating the field will be 300 by 190 feet and be used for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, football, Frisbee and other outdoor recreational sports, he said.
"Right now, that field is used primarily for soccer but it does get some other uses," Shaul said. "It does get tremendous use."
The water spray pad will be 500 square feet of brushed concrete surface with about 25 jets working on a recirculating system that is chlorinated regularly, he said.
The spray pad will be operated by a tap sensor that starts the jets for a set length of time until it must be activated again, Shaul said.
Shaul said they hope to have spray pad operating hours similar to that of the pool -- 100 days a year with 10 to 12 hour days.
Councilwoman Peggy Shank asked if the recreation department foresees a time when they'll need to have a full-time supervisor at the park.
The pathways will be expanded creating about a quarter mile loop with three to four benches and dusk to dawn lights, he said.
"This phase is wonderful. The use will be tremendous and I think people are going to acknowledge and recognize they have to self police," said Councilwoman Elaine Swartz.
The grant application is due April 4 and officials hope to have a response by fall 2012, engineering survey completed in winter 2012 and bidding completed in spring 2013. Construction would then take place summer 2013.
"This is a very best case scenario," Shaul said.
The Elm Street Program is allocating $24,999 cover a $4,000 camera system for the spray pad, a $2,000 fence around the pad, a $5,400 buffer zone around the pad and three dusk to dawn lights at $1,800 per light as well as any other overages, he said.
Phase I of the Mike Waters Memorial Park was completed in 2006 and included replacing the two old basketball courts with two new lighted ones as well as replacing the pavilion and installing lighted pathways connecting the parking lots with areas of the park.
Some 1,700 people gathered in Barrow on Saturday night to pay their respects to Joseph Took , 18, who died following a crash on his motorbike in Abbey Road on February 26.
The popular Walney lad was remembered by family and friends, and some who had never met him, by the release of paper lanterns and balloons from Furness Academy’s South Site playing fields.
The sky was filled with glowing orange lights, with some lanterns carrying touching hand-written messages, including: “RIP Joe Took, we will miss you, you have touched a lot of people’s hearts.”
Friends also sang “We love you Tooky”, which was welcomed with clapping. Fireworks also marked the occasion.
While there was cheerful banter as friends remembered Joseph, there were also tears and scenes of young people comforting one another.
Joseph’s family attended the vigil and were overwhelmed by the spectacle in memory of their son and brother.
His father David Took, 49, said: “On behalf of my family I would like to thank the people of Barrow, especially the young ones, whether they knew Joseph or not, for this remarkable and wonderful, spectacular and awe inspiring tribute to our son and brother.
“Never in our lives did we think this would happen to us, but never in our lives have we seen a town come together to show their respect for the loss of one of Barrow’s young sons, it has totally restored our faith and respect for Barrow and its people, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
“A special thanks to Gemma Murphy for organising this tribute, as we already know she has her own burdens at this time. Joseph was a diamond, but tonight Barrow you shine so bright.”
Gemma Murphy, 17, Joseph's friend who organised the memorial through Facebook, said: “I’m overwhelmed by the response. I’d known Joe since I was four. I thought this was a way for people to come and pay their respects.”
“I’ll always remember his big heart. Joe was the loveliest lad.”
Kieran Smith, 17, said: “Joe was one of my very good mates. He was an absolutely awesome lad. I’ll remember his willingness and his kindness.”
Dominic White, 17, said: “I knew Joe from skating with him. I wanted to come to pay my respects to him. This is really, really nice to see all these people.
“He had the best personality, he was generous and he had some of the best skills I’ve known.