U.S. Department of Energy
Free Resources Available: The 1995 NREL Information Resources Catalogue is intended to inform anyone interested in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies of NREL's outreach activities, including publications and services. The services section of the catalogue represents many ways in which NREL makes information available to the public, including a visitors' center, electronic networks, and information hotlines. Documents listed were published by NREL in fiscal year 1995 and include general interest publications, technical reports, conference papers, journal articles, and patents.

The EnergyPubs Disk is produced by NREL and the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Technical Information Program. It is a compilation of general interest publications produced during fiscal year 1995 on renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Files are in an ASCII format that is compatible with any word processing software. Users are encouraged to pull information from these files for use in their own publications.

The catalogue and disk are free in limited quantities and can be obtained through the document distribution service at (303) 2754363 (phone), (303) 2754053 (fax), or evanss@tcplink.nrel.gov (email).

Contact: Anne Jones, (303) 275-3678

Alabama
Residential Energy Code Board and CABO Model Energy Code Adopted:
The Science, Technology and Energy Division had legislation passed to create a Residential Energy Code Board and to adopt the CABO Model Energy Code (MEC), 1993 version. The code becomes mandatory if a local governments choose to adopt it in whole or in part. The Home Builders Association sponsored this legislation after working with a steering committee. Alabama has developed a simplified version of the CABO MEC known as the Residential Energy Code for Alabama (RECA). Workshops conducted by Southface Energy Institute will begin in May. Four workshops for builders, architects, engineers, home designers and others will be conducted in Montgomery, Mobile, Huntsville and Birmingham.

Contact: Terri L. Adams, (334) 2425333

Arizona
Resource Efficient Housing Seminar:
The Arizona Department of Commerce, Energy Division hosted a half-day seminar on April 30, 1996, titled "Resource Efficient Housing: Integrating Green Homes Into Our Communities." The seminar, which was held in conjunction with the Energy Policy Advisory Committee, included a panel discussion featuring representatives from several of Arizona's green homes, the home building industry, and a leading electric cooperative. Also featured on the agenda was a tour of Desert Botanical Garden's Desert House.

The seminar drew together architects, local zoning officials, project developers, realtors, solar and renewable advocates, energy efficient product manufacturers, neighborhood organizations, and statewide housing officials. For a meeting summary and materials, contact Brian Fellows at the number below.

Contact: Brian Fellows, (602) 2801427

Iowa
Iowa State Fairgrounds to Receive a 10 kW Wind Turbine:
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is working collaboratively with the Iowa State Fair Board to install a wind turbine and tower at the Iowa state fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. The tower, standing 120 feet tall, is expected to be seen for miles and provide a permanent display of renewable energy resources in Iowa.

Over one million people a year visit the fairgrounds for events such as the Iowa State Fair and the National Pork Expo. These well attended events will provide an excellent opportunity to demonstrate wind energy in action. The turbine is, however, expected to generate more than just electricity. The turbine will be used as an educational vehicle to familiarize the public with the state's wind energy resources. The DNR will also explore ways to provide students with the opportunity to visit the turbine and learn about wind energy. The DNR is preparing informational and promotional material to highlight the installation and provide background information to those interested in installing their own equipment.

Contact: Ward Lenz, (515) 2817018

Kentucky
Environmental Technology Leadership Awards:
On Earth Day, April 22, 1996, the Kentucky Division of Energy and the Trane Company cosponsored an event called the "Environmental Technology Leadership Challenge" in Louisville, Kentucky. The main focus was on the changes in building HVAC systems being brought about by the phaseout of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants and changing building codes and standards. After hearing keynote speaker Jim Wolfe, current vice president of ASHRAE and chair of the Climate Change Task Force for the Business Council for a Sustainable Energy Future, participants enjoyed a panel discussion by representatives of industry, business and government. Thirty-four organizations received Environmental Excellence Awards for their contributions in promoting environmental awareness, energy efficiency, and technological breakthroughs.

Contact: John M. Stapleton, (502) 5647192

Maryland
Baltimore Subway Saves Energy:
Baltimore's electric subway cars are expected to save more than 2.1 million kWh of energy per year with a program adjustment that controls speed ranges between stations. In reviewing their system, Maryland Department of Transportation/Mass Transit Administration (MTA) officials found that significant energy savings could be realized if rail cars would increase the amount of coasting time throughout their runs. This minor adjustment to widen speed ranges and lengthen coasting times has proven to be very beneficial with overall energy savings. With the program in place for six months, MTA conservatively estimates that expected yearly savings will amount to more than $65,000.

Contact: Chip Collison, (410) 3333582

Energy Management Courses Popular Throughout Maryland:
During the 199596 school year, Howard Community College in Howard County, Maryland, offered two energy management courses for facility managers, technicians, engineers, contractors, vendors, energy consultants, and many other interested parties. The courses were an overwhelming success, and as a result ten other community colleges in the state adopted them for their fall 1996 programs. Sponsored and funded by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), the pilot course, "Principles of Energy Management" and thefollow-upp course, "Application of Energy Management Principles" provide information on heating, cooling and ventilation systems, distribution and process equipment, lighting and electrical distribution systems, building envelopes, alternative energy resources, and implementation strategies. In addition to courses being given at community colleges throughout Maryland, business groups and local governments have begun to offer energy management courses for their employees. MEA will continue marketing the program to county facility staff members and government and industry supervisors and managers.

Contact: Lynn Strandquist, (410) 7152459

Minnesota
Minnesota Publishes New Home Builders Energy Update:
The Minnesota Department of Public Service has published an energy update on sealing ducts. This publication is designed for builders of new homes and discusses duct sealing recommendations and techniques for new construction and retrofitting. Problems resulting from leaky ducts such as backdrafting, basement depressurization and difficulty with cooling upper floors are described. Copies of the home builders' energy update, Duct Sealing: Benefitting Comfort and Safety are available from the Department's Energy Information Center at (800) 6573710 or email requests to: psmith@dpsv.state.mn.us.

Contact: Mary Turner, (612) 2966025

North Carolina
Fish Barn Technology Begins to See Commercial Use in Tarheel State:
An extensive look by the North Carolina Energy Division at the practical application of techniques used to raise fish indoors is paying off in 1996 with the opening of four commercial facilities. Energy officials, who have analyzed a number offish-raisingg methods to determine which yield the best results, have been busy this year helping state farmers with technical know-how needed to get the facilities off the ground. Two of the facilities will open in the Asheville Fletcher area by the Great Smoky Mountains. Another facility is opening in Carrboro in the state's central region. The fourth facility will operate in Monroe near the Charlotte area. The two mountain facilities will raise trout. Farm operators hope to add Atlantic salmon in the future. The two Piedmont locations will raise warm water fish, including tilapia, a native of Mediterranean waters that was raised successfully during a joint pilot program operated by the Energy Division and North Carolina State University. Energy officials expect a growing number of farmers to turn to fish barns as a viable way of diversifying operations to include fish raising as a cash producer.

Contact: Al Ebron, (919) 7331892

South Carolina
Green Village Expo '96: The Southern Sustainable Communities Exposition:
The South Carolina Energy Office and The Harmony Project of Charleston are currently soliciting sponsors, speakers and exhibitors for the Green Village '96 Expo. The Expo will be held September 1314 in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Expo was created to provide tools to help put green building, ecodevelopment and sustainable design philosophies into practice. It will emphasize the practicality, availability, and current effectiveness of such products and services. Products and services will be exhibited by invitation only and reviewed by a national panel of experts before they will be accepted.

The Expo will provide workshop opportunities for those who wish to speak about their wares. The novice will learn how log home construction can be ecoeffective. It is the goal of the South Carolina Energy Office and The Harmony Project to provide an open forum for all who want to learn and apply sustainable concepts. The audience will include architects, developers, housing providers, builders, homeowners, engineers, interior/exterior designers, alternative energy specialists, renovators, and remodelers.

Sponsors, speakers and exhibitors in the Green Village Expo will prove to other business that they are willing to involve themselves in a concept that is becoming mainstream and holds tremendous promise for our future.

Different levels of sponsorship are being offered for interested participants. A discount is being offered to participants who join before May 15.

Contact: Rene & Sharpe, (803) 7378030

Tennessee
Tennessee Energy and Environmental Expo:
The mission of the 1996 Tennessee Energy and Environmental Expo to be held May 2223 in Nashville is to improve the awareness level of, and educate and encourage the use of, energy efficient products and technologies within the building owner, operator, design (and) construction communities, resulting in reduced operating costs in an environmentally sensitive manner.

The expo, presented by the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers and the Nashville Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, is being hosted by Bell South and the Tennessee Economic Development Center. The State Department of General Services is a cosponsor.

Exhibits and seminars will showcase successful projects and products and recommended strategies on a variety of topics, including energy efficient lighting, adjustable speed drives, natural gas and advanced electrical cooling technologies, indoor air quality, and performance contracting.

The Environmental Protection Agency will highlight the event with a recognition ceremony for the Green Lights program. USDOE and Oak Ridge National Laboratories will also present informational programs.

Among the nationally and regionally renowned seminar speakers are Dennis Creech, Southface Energy Institute, "Building Codes/ASHRAE 90.1;" Donald Dunn, I.E. du Pont de Nemours, "CFC Refrigerant Issues;" Franklin E. Pierce, Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, "Retrofit Programs for Lighting and HVAC;" Mike Nicklas, Innovative Design, Building "Design with Renewables;" and Chuck Dorgan, Electric Power Research Institute, HVAC Center, "Advanced Electric Cooling Technologies." There will be presentations of various cogeneration applications by Richard Sweetser of the American Gas Cooling Center and by John Wimberly IV of I.C. Thomasson. These are only a few of the 21 seminar presentations scheduled.

A series of panel discussions will include representatives from Vanderbilt University, the City of Memphis, Atlanta MARTA, TVA, the Tennessee Tech University Center for Electric Power, and others.

The registration fee is $30.00 and reservations will be taken up to the day of the event. For a brochure or more information, contact Herb Stonebrook or Mary Charlotte Hall at (615) 7419373 or fax a query to (615) 5322305.

Contact: Mary Charlotte Hall, (615) 7419358

West Virginia
Town Meeting on Natural Gas Vehicles:
The state of West Virginia, through the Energy Efficiency Program of the Development Office, hosted the first of three USDOE town meetings on alternate fueled vehicles. The focus of West Virginia's meeting was natural gas vehicles. The meeting drew an audience of 225 people to the Cultural Center in Charleston. Exhibits from the Natural Gas Vehicles Coalition, the American Gas Association, West Virginia Natural Gas Vehicles Coalition, Alternate Fuels Training Program, and the National Alternate Fuels Transportation Center were set up in the Great Hall. In the theater, the two-hour town meeting was moderated by Christine Ervin, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and Congressman Bob Wise of the Second District of West Virginia. The purpose was to identify federal actions undertaken and planned to promote the use of alternative compressed natural gas (CNG) fuels, identify alternate vehicle choices being provided by the automakers, and to recognize West Virginia's accomplishments in establishing a statewide CNG infrastructure. West Virginia is the only state designated by USDOE as having a statewide Clean Cities program.

Presenters at the meeting included representatives from Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Corporation, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. General Services Administration, the West Virginia Natural Gas Vehicles Coalition, the State Department of Administration, Kanawha Valley Regional Transit Authority, Kleanair Systems, Inc., and West Virginia University. The natural gas industry was represented by Hope Gas, Inc.; Eastern Marketing; and Fred Abrew, president and CEO of Equitable Resources, who also serves as the chairman of the Natural Gas Vehicles Coalition. A commitment from USDOE to the U.S. Postal Service and General Services Administration to increase the federal presence in alternate fueled vehicles was well received by the audience. This was also an opportunity for the state to showcase the statewide refueling network and over 700 CNG vehicles in operation in the state. A luncheon at the Governor's Mansion was sponsored by the West Virginia Natural Gas Vehicles Coalition.

Contact: Judy Dyer, (304) 5584010

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