Appalachia--Science in the Public Interest

APPALACHIAN ALTERNATIVES
Autumn 2005 Number 85

2005 Bluegrass Energy Expo Recap
by Ben Perry

ASPI and the Kentucky Solar Partnership presented the 2005 Bluegrass Energy Expo on September 24th and 25th. The purpose of the event was "to bring together the business, education, government, and non-profit sectors to educate Kentuckians about proven energy conservation, healthy home, and renewable energy solutions, and connect consumers with marketers of related products and services." The Kentucky Office of Energy Policy was a Partner and major contributor to the event. The Presenting Sponsors were Lexmark International and Sylvania Lighting, and the Major Sponsors were The Dupree Financial Group, The Fayette County Public Schools, Fischer SIPS (Structural Insulated Panels), and The Howe Charities, Inc.

Official Attendance was 1,124 (up 32% from 2004) and the surveys (see article below) indicate that the vast majority of attendees and exhibitors were very pleased with what the event had to offer. There were 34 commercial exhibitors representing 6 states, including 7 renewable energy businesses and 2 green builders. The Expo also included 24 non-profit and educational exhibitors from 4 states, including several national, regional, state and local conservation and environmental groups. Special attractions included:

Berea College Sustainability & Environmental Studies (SENS) Program Exhibit - Posters and a well-done PowerPoint presentation featuring energy-focused projects at the college.

Children's Energy Expo - Fun and educational activities for kids focused on energy conservation and renewable energy. Included hands-on renewable energy exploration, solar oven building, art activities using recycled materials, storytelling, and much more!

Cruising Cleaner Car Show - A collection of 9 vehicles representing Hybrid, Veggie-oil, Ethanol, Solar, and fuel-efficient internal combustion technologies. A highlight of the show was the UK College of Engineering Solar Car.

Energy & Nature Art Exhibit - Featured works from Kentucky artists reflecting the intimate relationship between energy and nature.

Free Computer Energy Audits - Homeowners entered some basic facts about their homes to learn the most cost-effective ways to reduce their energy use and costs. Also available was a software program that helped participants calculate the "ecological footprint" of their homes and lifestyles.

Free Home Energy & Design Consultations - An opportunity to speak with building and
design professionals about a building or remodeling project.

Kentucky's Super-Efficient Solar Homes Poster Exhibit - A poster exhibit showcasing the homes along with opportunities to speak with some of the homeowners.

Lexington and Louisville Exhibits - Side-by-side booths with compelling displays and
information about energy-related projects going on in the two metropolitan areas.

Natural Straw Bale Exhibit - A life-size straw bale structure illustrating straw bale construction techniques. The builder-designers were on hand to share their experience.

UK College of Agriculture Energy Efficiency Exhibit - Several attractive displays educating attendees about energy efficient technologies they can use in their homes, along with displays dealing with Lead Paint and Radon.

UK College of Architecture Center for Sustainable Cities Exhibit - Thought provoking models and posters from projects produced by the internationally-known program.

UK College of Architecture Design Lab - A model, drawings and information about an exciting design-build project seeking the new LEED residential certification.

Lexington & Madison County Habitat for Humanity Energy Efficient Construction Exhibit - A wall segment showing the stages in the construction of an energy efficient exterior wall,
with information about other energy efficient technologies and Habitat initiatives.

Workshop Series - Featured 17 workshops ranging from "The Appalachian Independent Solar Home" to "Sustainable Cities" and from "Climate Change in the Southeast" to "Mold in the Home". Workshops covered practical topics such as energy efficient appliances, lighting and mortgages, green building and design, solar electric, solar water heating, wind power, veggie-oil conversions, solar greenhouses and saving energy at home.

Although we still have much room for growth, we can't help but be pleased with the improvement from 2004 to 2005, and are looking forward to similar or greater improvement in 2006. Our survey results and the many words of appreciation and encouragement indicate that we are heading in the right direction and we are excited about seizing the momentum and carrying it into next year's Expo. We will also be expanding the theme for 2006 to tie in with the new Green Partnership projects in Louisville and Lexington, which should attract more partners, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees.

2005 Expo Surveys Indicate a Big Leap Forward
by Ben Perry

We are happy to report that that the Expo has been held, the survey results are in, and we can say without reservation that the 2005 Expo was a significant leap forward in our effort to establish a first-rate event designed to inform the public and push the green/energy marketplace in Kentucky.

Here are some highlights of the survey responses:

Attendance of 1124 was up 32% from last year. A good portion of those folks heard about it through ACE Magazine, Lexington's largest local rag, which featured the Expo as its cover story the week of the event.

Attendees were mostly from Kentucky (94%) and pretty evenly split between male and female. A wide variety of professions were represented. The largest occupation category was teacher/student, followed by Construction/Design, Health Professionals, and Artists.

Attendees rated their overall Expo experience (on a scale of 1-5) at 4.4 (vs 4.0 in 2004) - a very encouraging result. Exhibitor Survey results saw ratings go up in every possible category from 2004. Another good sign is that 81% of the exhibitors said they would definitely or probably be back next year (vs 73% in 2004).

One of the most important questions we ask is, "What would you like to see more of next year?". The responses from the 2004 survey determined much of our Expo focus in 2005, and the responses from 2005 will determine a great deal of our focus in 2006. For example, the top 2004 response was for more "renewable energy businesses", so we recruited as many of them as we could this year. The 2005 surveys indicate that we were successful. The top two ‘05 requests for more Educational Exhibits and Workshops, already major focus areas for the Expo, which suggests that we are on the right track and should simply do better and more of what we are already doing.

In the last section of the Attendee Survey we ask people, “What are you willing to commit to within the 6 months following the Expo?” As in 2004, the responses show attendees are committed to investing in efficiency and renewables, in addition to changing their personal behavior to help create healthier communities. Many attendees committed to a renewable energy system installment on their home. This should put a smile on the faces of the RE installers and equipment vendors in the area.

The highest commitments were to "Replace standard light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Bulbs", followed by a trio of responses dealing with the purchase of Green, Organic, and Local products. Next were Weatherizing, Increasing Insulation, and Changing Personal Behavior. Other home-related responses included Purchasing Energy Star Appliances, Filtering Air or Water, Having an Energy Audit done and Replacing Doors and Windows, and Upgrading a Heating/Air Conditioning System. Some wish to begin an energy-focused remodeling project, while others intend to begin the construction of an energy-efficient home.

Transportation-related responses included purchasing a more fuel-efficient vehicle and converting a used vehicle to a cleaner fuel, others committed to using a bicycle more for commuting and errands, pledged to walk more, and intend to carpool and use more public transportation.

Both exhibitor and attendee survey results indicate that we are heading in the right direction. Results also suggest that the event is encouraging people to make changes for the better in their lives, and connecting them with resources that will allow them to make these changes more easily and effectively. In either case, we are encouraged and plan to do it all over again in 2006. If you live in the area and didn't make it this year, please plan to attend in 2006. We will be working hard over the next year to assure that the Expo will be exciting and rewarding to every attendee. In the meantime, explore the website at www.bluegrassenergyexpo.org .

ASPI hosts Central and Eastern Kentucky Solar Tour
by Laura Wick

On October 1st, ASPI hosted the Central and Eastern Kentucky Solar Tour, part of the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour. The event was well-attended, with about 56 people participating in the guided bus tour and the self-guided tour.

The guided bus tour made stops at three unique sites including: the Curtis Pike Community near Richmond, a faith-based intentional community; the home of Dick Levine, who is an architect at the University of Kentucky; and the Reedy/Clemmons residence, which is an off-the-grid geodesic dome. The self-guided tour included sites such as the Berea College Ecovillage, the ASPI office in Mt. Vernon, the Wright residence in Liberty, KY and Egrets' Cove, an intentional community outside Berea.

Many thanks to all those who attended tour day and to all the hosts who opened their doors to visitors! If you have ideas of homes or buildings that should be included in next year's tour (maybe your own home!), please e-mail Laura at lm_wick@yahoo.com.

KSP and the Energy Center at U of L Begin Solar Energy Projects
by Andy McDonald

KSP and the Energy Center at the University of Louisville are preparing to begin work on a series of projects aimed at demonstrating and advancing the use of solar energy in Kentucky. The Energy Center at U of L was formed as an outgrowth of the Partnership for a Green City. The Partnership is a collaboration of the Louisville Metro Government, U of L, and the Jefferson County Public Schools, and began in 2003 with goals of improving the environment and public health, developing holistic environmental education programs, and creating sustainable community. Earlier this year the Kentucky Solar Partnership (KSP) was invited to join the Energy Center and assist with its goal of expanding the use of solar energy in Jefferson County and Kentucky as a whole.

The projects being developed will demonstrate the use of active solar energy technologies in a variety of public and private applications. In Jefferson County, photovoltaic street lights will be installed in several locations that require guaranteed lighting for security or other reasons. The Energy Center will install several different models of solar street lights and will monitor their performance over the course of the year, evaluating each model in terms of performance, maintenance requirements, battery life and disposal considerations, warranty, and cost.

The use of natural daylighting will be studied at two new elementary schools in Jefferson County. Daylight harvesting systems take advantage of available daylight to reduce the need for electrical lighting. There is a great potential for reducing energy costs with daylighting designs in schools, commercial buildings, and homes. This project will evaluate daylighting design use and hopes to provide a model for other Kentucky schools to learn from. Many studies of daylighting use in schools have found significant increases in student performance in daylit classrooms.

At three other schools in Jefferson County, solar water heater use will be demonstrated. In one case the heating system will serve a swimming pool used for therapeutic purposes. At the other two schools, the solar systems will heat water used in restrooms and cafeterias.

To demonstrate and promote residential solar water heating use, KSP will be coordinating a program offering $500 rebates to homeowners who install solar water heaters. (See panel for more information). KSP will also organize a training workshop for solar water heater installers, to be held in the Louisville area next spring.
Funding for these projects was provided by the US Department of Energy. ASPI and KSP offer thanks to Russ Barnett and the Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development at U of L, Keith Sharp, Director of the Energy Center, and Sieglinde Kinne of the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center, for inviting KSP to partner on these projects and establishment of the Energy Center.

KSP Receives Grant Award from the Million Solar Roofs Initiative for 2006
KSP has received a grant from the US Department of Energy's Million Solar Roofs Initiative to continue our work promoting the use of solar water heating systems. In the coming year we will be expanding our efforts by offering free solar site assessments and economic analysis for the use of solar water heaters in schools and commercial enterprises. For many schools, especially those with swimming pools or full kitchens, the cost of heating water can run into the tens of thousands of dollars per year. Solar water heaters can cut these water heating costs by 50 percent or more, and provide the school with greater long-term security against rising energy prices.

The economic benefits are similar for commercial enterprises that use significant amounts of hot water, such as hotels, laundromats, car washes, food processing facilities, and many factories. KSP will be doing outreach in Eastern and Central Kentucky to educate schools and business owners about the many advantages of using solar water heaters, and will provide estimates for the costs to install these systems, and the projected long-term economic savings.

The MSRI has also provided funding to support ASPI's Renewable Energy Roadshow, exhibiting renewable energy technologies (see article below).

Work on the Renewable Energy Roadshow Continues
Over the past summer ASPI intern Dan Pray and Joshua Bills began construction on the Renewable Energy Roadshow. The Roadshow will display a functioning solar water heater and solar electric system, and will include educational displays about these and other renewable energy sources.

The Roadshow exhibit is being built on a 16 foot trailer that will be towed to schools, fairs and other events. Special thanks are due to Fischer SIPS for donating the structural insulation panels (SIPs) used in the walls and roof of the exhibit, LP Corp for donating various building supplies, and Alternate Energy Technologies for donating the solar water heating system. Major funding for the Roadshow has been provided by the St. Walburg Monastery Social Needs Fund and the Sustainability and Environmental Studies Program at Berea College. Special thanks also to Dan Pray for his dedication to the project, to Berea College professor Brad Christiansen for supervising the early stages of construction, to Jim Dontje for his assistance throughout the project, and to Joshua Bills for all his efforts.

Rebates for Solar Water Heaters Now Available from the Kentucky Solar Partnership

ASPI and the Kentucky Solar Partnership have partnered with the Energy Center at the University of Louisville to establish a pilot program offering $500 rebates towards the cost of installing a solar water heating system. The rebates are available to Kentucky residents, for systems installed on residences located in Kentucky. Solar water heaters can reduce a home's annual utility bills by $200 or more, using free energy from the sun. Using solar collectors warranted for 20 years or more, homeowners receive long-term security against rising energy prices.
KSP has been working for many years to bring down the barriers to the use of solar energy in Kentucky. One of those barriers has been the initial investment required to install solar equipment. Although a solar water heater actually pays for itself over time by reducing your utility bills, it does cost more than a conventional gas or electric water heater. Our rebate program will help to stimulate the market for these systems and once they are installed, they will serve as models for the wider community.
As part of the program, KSP will monitor the performance of the installed systems and produce a report documenting the success of the program. We expect this report to serve as an educational tool for illustrating how any Kentucky homeowner can harness the sun's energy to make their home more affordable.
Further information about the rebate program, including application forms, will soon be available on our website at www.kysolar.org, or you can call KSP's Frankfort office at 1-888-576-6527.

Federal Tax Credits for Solar and Energy Efficiency Available January 1, 2006
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 offers the first Federal tax incentives for residential solar energy systems in two decades. Beginning January 1, 2006, Federal tax credits will be available to individuals for the following residential solar energy systems:

For solar hot water systems, the allowable tax credit is 30% of the qualified solar system expenditures up to a maximum tax credit limitation of $2,000.

For solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, the allowable tax credit is 30% of the qualified PV system expenditures up to a maximum tax credit limitation of $2,000.

To be eligible for the solar hot water system tax credit, the system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) and produce 50% or more of the hot water needed by the residence. There is no qualification provided for PV systems. Individuals may claim tax credits for either or both types of solar systems.
The incentives apply to equipment placed in service during 2006-2007.

Energy Efficient New Homes & Energy Efficiency Improvements for Existing Homes
The Energy Policy Act also offers a tax credit of $2,000 to homebuilders for homes that reduce energy use for heating and cooling only (not hot water) by 50% compared to the national model code. Producers of manufactured homes can also choose to qualify for a tax credit of $1,000 for homes that save 30%.

For existing homes, tax credits of 10% of the amount expended by the taxpayer for "Qualified Energy Efficiency Improvements" and up to $300 for "Qualified Energy Property" will be available, up to a maximum credit limit of $500. "Qualified Energy Efficiency Improvements" include things such as insulation, double pane windows, insulated exterior doors, and Energy Star rated roofs that reflect the sun's heat. "Qualified Energy Properties" include things such as high efficiency heat pumps, water heaters, air conditioners, and furnaces.
The incentives apply to improvements and equipment placed in service during 2006-2007.

For more information, contact the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy at (502) 564-7192, or visit their web page on the 2005 Energy Policy Act: www.energy.ky.gov/2005federalenergybill.htm

Source: This information adapted from the Florida Solar Energy Center's web page: www.fsec.ucf.edu/epact-05.htm

A Story of the Graywater System at Curtis Pike
by Jack Kieffer

Members of the Curtis Pike community visited the ASPI demonstration site on the Rockcastle River some years ago, and among them was Margie Stelzer. They were very interested in our dry composting toilets and constructed wetlands for graywater. Developing their own plans for community at Curtis Pike they decided that they wanted to have their homes off of the grid, with dry toilets and a graywater system for watering the garden. They wanted a system that would be acceptable to the county and the Commonwealth of Kentucky Health Department's Environmental Division which oversees certification of onsite wastewater systems.

Margie Stelzer searched the web and finally found the NutriCycle Graywater Root Zone System (RZS) of John Hanson in Jefferson, Maryland. His NutriCycle system is accepted in the State of Maryland where he has over a dozen systems installed and working successfully. This gave our Commonwealth people the courage to approve the installation of two Graywater Root Zone Systems on an experimental basis at Curtis Pike and to certify them.

A plat, or plot plan, of the Curtis Pike Community with topographical lines, location of the homes, and soil conditions was sent to John Hanson. With this and water usage information, John designed the RZS with the dosing system. This requires a dry toilet so that the gray water comes only from bathroom and kitchen sinks and the showers. An in-ground tank near the houses collects the gray water and sends it, in their case when it reaches 60 gallons, through a pipe to the RZS, which is downhill from the tank.

The RZS is a set of 4 parallel, covered troughs about 6 inches deep which receive the gray water. A garden of vegetables, fruit trees and bushes is planted on either side of the troughs to make use of the water and the nutrients therein. The soil bacteria and fungi convert the food particles, soaps and any other contents of the gray water into materials that the plants can use. Obviously, since the garden is a living system, toxic or hazardous chemicals and cleaners can not be put down the house drains.

The results of this garden are tomato "bushes" over three feet in diameter and four feet high, seven foot high corn with big full ears, and good-sized butternut squash. These tomato bushes grew in a season when most peoples' tomato plants withered because of the drought. And this is the water that we "throw out!" The author oversaw installation of the system at the Curtis Pike site and gave a workshop on the NutriCycle Root Zone System to the Commonwealth and Madison county Health Department personnel.

THANK YOUS
7/7/05 - 9/29/05 Richard & Rita Middendorf, Anthony Vital, Mary Grisco, Roger & Arleta Hommes, Leonard Levine, Oswald Loidl, Gerald Wright, Michael & Patricia Hazard, Vickie Shuffer, Kathryn & Thomas Anderson, Rev. Arthur Redmond, William Galbraith, Richard & Lucy Henighan, Pamela Wood, Sr. Carolyn Lambert/Mt.Tabor Benedictions, Joy Crosby, David Anderson, Joseph Olah, Al & Mary Templeton, Percy Staats, Janet & John Fiskio-Lasseter, Miriam MacGillis/Dominican Sisters, Mary Cameron Goodwyn & Bruce Rule, Nancy Jackson, Andreas & Francisca Thomsen, Peter Hrabak, Myles & Margaret McCabe, Charles & Joy Perry, Salvation PC's, Judith McCandless & Grady Clay, Dennis & Maureen Darcey, Peg & Tim Taylor, Kevin Mulcahy & Jane Nowakowski, Ian Rudick, Christophr Wolf, Nancy Taylor & Chey Hendra, David Coyte, Stephen Wilmhoff, Glenn Ihrig, Sally Wells, Danny McKinney, Jack Vetter, Beth Grendahl, Philip Williams, Sandy McFarland, Sandra M. Elledge, Roberta L. Guthrie, Sharon McComb, Donna Ford, Ronald Seaton, Ben Atkins, Cynthia Miske, Martin Ogle, Sr. Francesca Bartos, OP, Lynn Chong, Ann Magner, Laurie Webb, Marion Kaple, Sally Firestone, Robert C. Blinn, Christine Caldwell, Karen Smallwood, Colleen Fogarty, Kris Stroad-Moore, Walter Bado/Newman Center, Sarah Peterson, Connie Schmitt, Barbara Hellenga, Betty Graham, Fr. Henry Atkins, Charlotte Offerdahl.

Wish List
Library materials (books, reports, reference books) plus recent Home Power magazines, fire-box or fire-proof safe, paper shredder, 2002+ model PCs and monitors, a flat-bed utility trailer (12’ ideal), a gas kitchen range, cots, mulch and manure, large pots and pans, and tools (shovels, rakes, mattocks, etc) for trail maintenance.

HELP SUPPORT ASPI through DISCOUNT COMMUNICATION SERVICES

New Discounted Internet Service - Receive up to 150 hours a month of internet usage for $14.95 and designate $2.25 per month to ASPI (at no cost to you). To sign up, visit aspi.visp-net.com or if you don’t currently have internet access, call 800-803-5726, and be sure to mention ASPI so we get credit for the order.

Discounted Long Distance Service for Home or Business - No monthly service fees, no minimum billing, low-cost calling cards, and six-second billing. * Mention this ad and designate (at no cost to you) 3% of your bill to ASPI.

New! All Outgoing and Incoming Interstate Calls are 4.25 cents a Minute.
Low Intrastate Rates – KY, WV & TN - 4.9 cents, OH & IN - 4.25 cents, IL - 3.9 cents.

For more information or to order new service, contact
Ian Rudick with Come From the Heart at 1-888-622-0957

Appalachia – Science in the Public Interest
50 Lair Street, Mt. Vernon, Ky 40456-9806
Phone: (606) 256-0077 Fax: (606) 256-2779
Web Site: www.a-spi.org E-mail: aspi@a-spi.org