Shaheen tours Boys & Girls Club, lauds energy efficiency

Source: Union Leader

By Julie Hanson

August 28, 2012

SALEM — Sen. Jeanne Shaheen toured the Boys & Girls Club of Salem on Monday to learn firsthand how the organization reduced energy usage and cut costs with energy efficiency measures.

"The Salem Boys & Girls Club can serve as a great example of the savings available through energy efficient technology," the Democrat said. "The Boys & Girls Club has always done tremendous work for our community. I'm glad that these measures will help them save money so they can dedicate even more resources to helping our community's young people."

Shaheen admired the children's artwork as she toured classrooms and greeted employees. The club provides an environment where parents can feel comfortable that their children are safe, she said.

As a member of the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Shaheen further praised the organization for its recent energy-saving initiatives.

"Energy efficiency is the cheapest and fastest way to deal with our energy needs," Shaheen said.

Changes such as installing energy efficient light bulbs and putting timers on the hot water boilers have helped reduce the building's energy usage by 40 percent in 60 days, according to Michael Centor, chief professional officer at the Boys & Girls Club.

"We realized overnight savings," Centor said.

Energy is a big expense for the club. The organization's annual budget for energy is about $160,000, Centor said, and a 40-percent savings can be put to good use.

"Any money we can save on energy and put into programming for the children is twice as valuable," Centor said.

Shaheen co-sponsored the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act with Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio). The bill is designed to promote energy efficiency projects by helping organizations obtain funding to make upgrades similar to those made by the Boys & Girls Club, Shaheen said. The bill does not have a provision for nonprofit organizations, but it's being looked into, Shaheen said.

"My legislation would build on the success of initiatives like these and help expand energy efficiency," Shaheen said.

She has visited other local businesses and school districts that have also seen significant energy savings by changing to more energy-efficient options, Shaheen said. Shaheen has recently toured Enertrac in Hudson, Sullivan Construction in Bedford, and Nashua City Hall.

Shaheen's proposed legislation would boost private sector investment in building efficiency upgrades, help manufacturers become more competitive by establishing a state-based revolving financing program for efficiency upgrades, work with states to voluntarily strengthen national model building codes, and require the federal government to adopt energy-saving techniques, she said. The bill would save consumers $4 billion a year by 2020 and help businesses add roughly 80,000 jobs by 2020, Shaheen said.

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