Updated: May 2009
Quick Look: The DPU's Conservation Coordinator Matthew Dickens provides information here on the conservation of electricity, gas, and water. Also, the DPU exchanges traditional lightbulbs for CFLs through the WattSwap program described here.
News Extra: Did you know that the Dept of Public Utilities 2009 Customer Survey confirms community desire for sustainable practices from Los Alamos' publically owned utility?
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Conserving Resources
The Dept of Public Utilities promotes conservation of na
tural gas, water and electricity through a variety of programs, information, and initiatives. Conservation Officer Matthew Dickens works with residents, businesses, schools, and Los Alamos County to track and analyze energy consumption, and identify opportunities for cost-saving, environment-sustaining, conservation measures. Contact Mr. Dickens at 662-8234 or email him at Matthew.Dickens@lacnm.us.
Learn about conserving electricity through the use of solar power. Los Alamos county's new Eco-Station makes use of Solar thermal energy for heat. The Environmental Services Division of Los Alamos County provides fascinating insight into their use of solar hermal energy .
WattSwap Conservation Project
Project Description: The Los Alamos Dept. of Public Utilities (DPU) has contracted with the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) to implement a voluntary incandescent/CFL Exchange; the project is entilted the WattSwap Campaign. We’ve purchased 4000 bulbs, and if all are exchanged at a arate of 6 per household; roughly 650 homes/ratepayers would witness a savings of 2 million kilowatt hours over the lives of the bulbs. As of September 2008, the DPU's residential electric rate is $.0907 per kilowatt hour, indicating a potential cost savings for participating Los Alamos citizens of $181,400.
Project Contact: Matthew Dickens, Conservation Coordinator, Matthew.Dickens@lacnm.us, 662-8234 or send inquiries to WattSwap@yahoo.com.
Project Cost: $12,500.