Governor Culver Applauds Energy Savings Plan

Press Release

Governor Chet Culver today commended a plan submitted by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and approved by the Executive Council today that will ultimately save state government agencies $361,190 a year in their electricity and natural gas utility bills.

"There are many ways state government can operate more efficiently and save taxpayer money," said Governor Culver. "Increasing the energy efficiency of state buildings is a common sense investment."

The plan will draw upon energy efficiency rebates from MidAmerican Energy totaling $1,159,899.

Under the plan, DAS will install $3,177,895 of higher efficiency equipment throughout the Capitol Complex. Funding for these upgrades will come from a $716,047 grant awarded from the Office of Energy Independence (ARRA) and a loan.

Repayment of the loan will be made by combining energy efficiency rebate money from MidAmerican Energy Company and from the annual natural gas and electricity utility cost savings generated from the improvements. The energy efficiency project is expected to yield $2,149,128 in energy savings in seven years.

"This plan will require significant investment in new technologies but will clearly pay for itself in a short time," said Ray Walton, Director of DAS. "Through this effort, and at no loss of services to the public or reduction in comfort to state employees, we will be providing savings for taxpayers for many years to come."

Governor Culver has made energy efficiency a top priority and has issued two Executive Orders (6 and 20) directing agencies to conduct business more efficiently and effectively.

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