Published: April 02, 2007 01:16 pm            

Courthouse’s energy, water, waste use to be subject of audit

FAYETTEVILLE — Members of the West Virginia Sustainable Communities project are teaming up with a state energy efficiency expert to conduct a free lighting audit, as well as energy, water and waste assessments of Fayette County’s historic courthouse.

Bill Willis of the West Virginia Development Office’s Energy Efficiency Program, along with Sustainable Communities interns, will perform a lighting audit of the building.

The courthouse — as well as any nonprofit organization — could qualify for a lighting grant from the Development Office worth up to $20,000 for upgrading to more efficient lighting.

The interns will also look at the efficiency of the courthouse’s other systems. Energy, water conservation and waste reduction tips will be shared throughout the process.

The assessment will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4, and is part of a year-long pollution prevention effort sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Student Conservation Association and Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. Six interns and a project leader are living in Lansing and working to educate Fayette, Nicholas, Gilmer and Braxton county residents about opportunities to conserve energy and water as well as reduce waste. The program is a continuation of a 2005-2006 pilot.

DEP Cabinet Secretary Stephanie R. Timmermeyer is excited to see the interns working hand-in-hand with everyone from individual homeowners to county governments.

“This program is providing an invaluable service,” Timmermeyer said. “With small changes, we can all help the environment and save money. I’m so glad to see Fayette County commissioners taking advantage of this project.”

Interns emphasize the Three Rs — reduce, reuse and recycle. The program is open to everyone from local governments to hospitals and individuals to community groups.

Fayette County Commissioner Matt Wender is looking forward to seeing how much more efficient a building built in 1895 and on the National Register of Historic Places can become.

“Members of the Fayette County Commission want the public to know we are trying to be fiscally responsible as well as have a desire to be wise users of energy,” Wender said.

To schedule a free assessment of energy and water use or to bring the West Virginia Sustainable Communities project to a community organization or business, please call Doug Arbogast at 304-619-0668 or e-mail him at darbogast@thesca.org.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.