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Planer cyclone
C&D Lumber mill in Riddle used $32,652 it received from the Energy Trust of Oregon to install a planer cyclone, which collects dust that can be used in furniture manufacturing.
Every month, there's a charge that likely goes unnoticed by most Pacific Power customers. It's a minimal cost also incurred by NW Natural and Portland GeneralElectric customers, but its effect can be substantial for those taking advantage of it.
The 3 percent toll is listed on the monthly bill as "public service charge," and it's been there for three years. As part of Senate Bill 11-49, passed in 1999, a funding pool was created for conservation and renewable energy programs.
In March 2002, the nonprofit Energy Trust of Oregon was established to dispense funds to new and existing buildings and businesses promoting energy efficiency.
"The point of the efficiency programs is we're buying energy, we're in effect buying power," said Jan Schaeffer, communications and marketing director for the Energy Trust.
C&D Lumber Co. of Riddle took advantage of the financing when its new planer cyclone was installed earlier this year.
The $50,000 project was helped by $32,652 from the Energy Trust.
"It was really a sweet deal for them," said Rick Reichert, engineer and auditor at RHT Energy Solutions of Medford, the company contracted to administer the program in Southern Oregon.
Reichert said his company handed C&D the check within the last month.
The company's new planer cyclone is part of its dust collection system. A fan was installed to transfer wood shavings and chips to the cyclone.
The cyclone, a green funnel-like structure standing several stories above lumber yard workers, collects wood shavings and chips and spirals them down into a bin so little waste is produced.
The whole contraption is powered by a new energy-efficient motor, which replaces two motors that previously operated the old setup.
According to the Energy Trust, the new planer cyclone will save more than 189,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year, equating to about $7,000 saved annually on its energy bill.
Jim Gross, maintenance manager at C&D Lumber, said it's still too early to calculate savings for the company. There have, however, already been improvements.
The 3 percent toll is listed on the monthly bill as "public service charge," and it's been there for three years. As part of Senate Bill 11-49, passed in 1999, a funding pool was created for conservation and renewable energy programs.
In March 2002, the nonprofit Energy Trust of Oregon was established to dispense funds to new and existing buildings and businesses promoting energy efficiency.
"The point of the efficiency programs is we're buying energy, we're in effect buying power," said Jan Schaeffer, communications and marketing director for the Energy Trust.
C&D Lumber Co. of Riddle took advantage of the financing when its new planer cyclone was installed earlier this year.
The $50,000 project was helped by $32,652 from the Energy Trust.
"It was really a sweet deal for them," said Rick Reichert, engineer and auditor at RHT Energy Solutions of Medford, the company contracted to administer the program in Southern Oregon.
Reichert said his company handed C&D the check within the last month.
The company's new planer cyclone is part of its dust collection system. A fan was installed to transfer wood shavings and chips to the cyclone.
The cyclone, a green funnel-like structure standing several stories above lumber yard workers, collects wood shavings and chips and spirals them down into a bin so little waste is produced.
The whole contraption is powered by a new energy-efficient motor, which replaces two motors that previously operated the old setup.
According to the Energy Trust, the new planer cyclone will save more than 189,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year, equating to about $7,000 saved annually on its energy bill.
Jim Gross, maintenance manager at C&D Lumber, said it's still too early to calculate savings for the company. There have, however, already been improvements.
"We know we're going to see reduced energy costs," he said. "One thing we have seen is we have better suction throughout the system which has allowed us to increase our footage per hour."
Studies have to show a project will pay for itself within 15 years to be considered for Energy Trust dollars. It also has to take at least 18 months.
Any project that can pay for itself in less time, Reichert says, should be done anyway.
There are 300 businesses in Oregon affiliated with the Energy Trust. Funds go to projects such as C&D Lumber's, along with others including implementing energy-efficient windows, ceiling ducts and lighting.
Schaeffer said the group and money covers the gamut in creating a more energy-efficient and conscious world.
"We pump this money out our doors and into the hands of businesses and homeowners around the state," she said.
There are 29 completed industrial projects such as C&D's, Schaeffer said, with 142 more in process. The total funding for those 171 projects is $19.7 million.
"That doesn't include a lot of others that are in the pipeline," she said.
Reichert said his company is already working with Roseburg Forest Products and Western Oregon Door, among other Douglas County companies. The goal is to help budget-tight businesses achieve energy efficiency without excess worry over the cost.
The Energy Trust program is mainly promoted through vendors, Reichert says, which is how C&D Lumber got involved. The Energy Trust currently sets a $50,000 cap on funding.
RHT held a series of town hall meetings during the last year to inform people about the program. Once a company is interested, an RHT representative tours the operation, with camera in hand, to see what can be done.
Some companies already have an idea of what they need to do. That was the case with C&D Lumber.
Stacy Stiefel, controller at C&D, said the new planer cyclone didn't need to be replaced this year, but it was a long-term project the company knew needed to be done
"With the money in the energy trust, it made it a lot easier to do," he said.
The company is already ahead of the game in implementing other energy-saving devices, such as energy-saving lighting. That doesn't mean it won't look to partner with the Energy Trust again if the opportunity arises.
"They are there to help people like us and they did that with just a minimum of problems of any kind," Gross said.
* You can reach reporter Paul Craig at 957-4211 or by e-mail at pcraig@newsreview.info.
Studies have to show a project will pay for itself within 15 years to be considered for Energy Trust dollars. It also has to take at least 18 months.
Any project that can pay for itself in less time, Reichert says, should be done anyway.
There are 300 businesses in Oregon affiliated with the Energy Trust. Funds go to projects such as C&D Lumber's, along with others including implementing energy-efficient windows, ceiling ducts and lighting.
Schaeffer said the group and money covers the gamut in creating a more energy-efficient and conscious world.
"We pump this money out our doors and into the hands of businesses and homeowners around the state," she said.
There are 29 completed industrial projects such as C&D's, Schaeffer said, with 142 more in process. The total funding for those 171 projects is $19.7 million.
"That doesn't include a lot of others that are in the pipeline," she said.
Reichert said his company is already working with Roseburg Forest Products and Western Oregon Door, among other Douglas County companies. The goal is to help budget-tight businesses achieve energy efficiency without excess worry over the cost.
The Energy Trust program is mainly promoted through vendors, Reichert says, which is how C&D Lumber got involved. The Energy Trust currently sets a $50,000 cap on funding.
RHT held a series of town hall meetings during the last year to inform people about the program. Once a company is interested, an RHT representative tours the operation, with camera in hand, to see what can be done.
Some companies already have an idea of what they need to do. That was the case with C&D Lumber.
Stacy Stiefel, controller at C&D, said the new planer cyclone didn't need to be replaced this year, but it was a long-term project the company knew needed to be done
"With the money in the energy trust, it made it a lot easier to do," he said.
The company is already ahead of the game in implementing other energy-saving devices, such as energy-saving lighting. That doesn't mean it won't look to partner with the Energy Trust again if the opportunity arises.
"They are there to help people like us and they did that with just a minimum of problems of any kind," Gross said.
* You can reach reporter Paul Craig at 957-4211 or by e-mail at pcraig@newsreview.info.
Information
For information on the Energy Trust of Oregon, call (866) 368-7878 or visit the Web site at www.energytrust.org.
RHT Energy Solutions of Medford is at (541) 770-5884. |
