Task force seeks creation of statewide energy manager
Tuesday, Nov 14, 2006

By John Lyon
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - A state task force said Monday it will propose a set of measures to improve energy efficiency in public school buildings, including the creation of a statewide energy manager.

The Task Force on Sustainable Building Design and Practices voted unanimously to approve a list of eight recommendations to be incorporated into bills and proposed during the upcoming legislative session. The task force has been studying ways to save taxpayer dollars by increasing energy efficiency in school facilities.

At the top of the list is a recommendation for the state to create and maintain a position of energy manager and staff to develop, manage and coordinate training for a statewide program of cost-saving measures.

"This would be an additional line item. It would not be taken from any (existing) budget," said Mary Jane Murray, an architect on the task force who served as acting co-chairman Monday in place of state Rep. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, who did not attend the meeting.

Second on the task force's wish list is creation of a system for tracking utility consumption and efficiency at school facilities.

Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, the task force's other co-chairman, said computer software exists that will allow schools to keep track of this information, but the Legislature cannot just tell schools to go out and buy the software. The same system needs to be in place at every school statewide, and funding must be provided, he said.

The task force also recommended that the state:

-Help establish a task force to study ways to implement a statewide review of school construction plans, and in the meantime use existing agencies to enforce the state's energy code in construction projects.

-Provide incentives to school districts to consider efficiency as well as costs during the design process for new facilities. Incentives could be in the form of loans or matching funds.

-Have the Department of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation update project application forms to inform school districts of procurement methods not currently included on the forms.

-Have the Department of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation review current rules, regulations and legislation to identify conflicts or omissions of energy-related content.

-Evaluate current procurement practices in terms of energy efficiency.

-Re-appoint the task force for two additional years.

Broadway said the Legislature should be willing to keep the task force operating.

"We're one of the few that are actually looking at reductions in spending," he said.

Broadway said he would be one of the sponsors for the proposed legislation, which is to be drafted by a subcommittee.