by Bill Edwards
Allison Bailes, grad student in physics at UF and member of the Gainesville Energy Advisory Committee (GEAC), has been appointed chair of a subcommittee to develop a program seeking greater energy efficiency for GRU and other city-owned facilities.
In June, the GEAC made the appointment after Bailes presented the board with the general outline of his proposal. Committee members voted to implement Bailes' proposal although some members had reservations about its wide scope and the extensive time required to research and develop the program.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
As Bailes outlined his ideas, using an overhead projector to highlight features of the suggested course of action, he proposed involving the public in an educational phase after first research.
"We need to put together local data regarding energy use and how it impacts the economy and environment in order to know what will work," Bailes said. "We want to know how much each type of energy we use, how much we use in areas of residential, commercial- industrial, the total energy bill, per capita energy use and related information."
To help achieve greater energy efficiency (save money), Bailes recommended an Energy Town Meeting early in the program. "The meeting will serve to generate excitement about wise energy use and the savings on energy bills for electricity, natural gas, gasoline and diesel fuel, and the delivery of energy intensive services.
IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES, BARRIERS
"We will have to identify assets, opportunities, and barriers for improving local energy use," Bailes said. "We will seek connections between these factors and look for ways to break the barriers."
Bailes reviewed briefly the mission statement of the GEAC which was established by ordinance after the OPEC energy crises in the 1970s. To escape dependency on foreign oil, the city decided to build a coal-fired power plant at Deerhaven north of the city off U.S. Highway 441. The Sierra Club raised strenuous objections to the use of coal, pointing out the huge emissions from coal-burning.
After several months, including time in court, the city agreed to use low sulphur coal and to establish an energy advisory committee with an impressive review mission. The committee's Importance has varied over time, dependent largely upon the chairman.
GRU furnishes the committee with a liaison staff member, who keeps members apprised of GRU budget planning and projected developments.
SAVINGS, BUDGET CONFLICT?
In the discussion of Bailes' proposal, committee member Eric Esselstyn reminded Bailes of the link between GRU's revenues and the city budget. GRU transfer payments are over 40% of the city's budget. If energy efficiency acts reduces GRU revenues, the city would suffer a loss and have to raise taxes for city services.
In the past, GRU has resisted ideas that would have resulted in reduced revenues or reduced spending. Former Chairman Dan Hargrove, whom the city commission did not re-appoint to a new term last year, met stiff opposition when he tried to promote the use of solar hot water heaters and load management. He insisted there was no need for a new power unit when GRU had no load management. He went public with the controversy.
At one point, Commissioner-Mayor Jim Painter told Hargrove that the city would suffer "havoc and chaos" if it used Hargrove's ideas.
Bailes believes energy efficiency can be achieved without disrupting the city budget.
"We have significant population growth in the area and substantial increases in energy demand," he said. "We should be able to effect energy efficiencies and lower customer costs as growth takes place."