- Attendees
- OWRT:
Cliff Carwile
Gobind Jagtiani
Doug Kaempf
Tom Sheahen (for Paul Scheihing)
Lou Sousa
- EEUISD: Transportation & Industrial Branch
Lynda Carlson
John Preston
Bob Adler
Mark Schipper
Cindy Magee
Mike Margreta
Summary
Due to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT), the Manufacturing Energy Consumption
Survey (MECS) has become a biennial collection, instead of triennial, starting with the 1994
collection. In addition, it is expected that the sample size will be expanded to accommodate data
reporting on the basis of census division. OWRT agreed that data at the division level would be
more helpful than region-level data.
Interest was expressed in MECS data at levels below four digits of Standard Industrial
Classification (SIC) Codes. However, such a collection would be prohibitively expensive and
time consuming, and most likely, data would need to be withheld in a number of categories to
avoid disclosure for individual establishments.
Renewables
Mr. Carwile and Mr. Kaempf both expressed an interest in solar power as an energy source, including quantities used, at the level of four-digit SICs. Since solar power consumption is in its nascent stages, disclosure problems would result for data reporting at virtually every level, except national. They replied that national-level data would still be useful. Mr. Carwile offered to provide a list of four-digit SICs where solar energy use is especially prevalent, and the MECS team will then pursue survey redesign to collect energy generation from solar power and its direct uses.
Energy-Efficiency Activities
Generally, large establishments participate in some type of energy-efficiency
(EE) activity, be it utility/supplier sponsored, their own EE programs,
and/or government-sponsored EE programs, such as Green Lights and Motor
Challenge. OWRT would like to add MECS questions dealing with program
awareness, program participation, and even decision-making changes resulting
from the program. The MECS team is receptive to including dichotomous-type
questions (only a response of "yes" or "no" permitted for an answer) on
the survey, but questions requiring quantification of energy savings could
prove burdensome for amounts that are not easily measurable.
Mr. Sheahen, representing the Motor Challenge program, stated that he would prefer fewer
survey questions on fossil fuels and more on industrial practices, especially as they relate to Motor
Challenge issues. For example, does an establishment have a corporate policy that every motor be
energy efficient or that only energy-efficient motors be used when replacement is necessary? Also,
is old equipment retired based upon life-cycle costing or only upon breakdown? Plus, how many
electric motors were installed during the year, including horsepower range? Mr. Sousa also
championed the cause to find out more about electric motor usage.
Although such questions are beyond the scope of the MECS collection, Mr. Preston suggested
focus groups as a means to discuss motor usage with knowledgeable energy managers in
manufacturing. Mr. Sheahen supported this idea. Likewise, Mr. Sousa agreed that it is not
necessary to survey thousands of establishments to get a general idea of electric motor usage.
The MECS staff would be happy to provide input on how to organize a focus group and how to
contact "the right types" of people to attend. However, a professional marketing firm should be
employed to preside at the focus groups and to handle the organizational details.
Conclusion
In conclusion, all of the attendees were encouraged to submit by the end of May a list of
priority questions that each would like included on the next MECS. The Motor Challenge program
is reviewing such a list. As of now, the MECS staff is prepared to add survey questions
concerning awareness and participation in government-sponsored EE programs, such as Green
Lights, Motor Challenge, and any others that are suggested. Depending on Mr. Carwile's list of
four-digit SICs, other questions could be developed for solar power usage, along with any other
renewables.
File Last Modified: April 1, 1997
- Contact:
- robert.adler@eia.doe.gov
- Robert Adler
- Project Manager
- Phone: (202) 586-1134
- Fax: (202) 586-0018
URL: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/mecs/mecs91/consumption/mecs3e.html