Updated:  February 13, 2013
Quick Look:  The DPU strives to create conservation programs that reflect the preferences of our citizen-owners as expressed throught the leadership of the Board of Public Uilities.
News Extra: Read the Draft Energy and Water Conservation Plan and help us prioritize strategies to reach our conservation goals?

DRAFT Conservation Plan

The Department of Public utilities created the Energy and Water Conservation Plan to focus on conserving the utility commodities they deliver to the community which includes water, electricity and natural gas. This plan also meets state requirements mandated by the Office of the State Engineer as a condition of approval of the County’s water rights, and federal requirements as part of Los Alamos County’s section of the Joint Integrated Resource Plan with the Department of Energy.

The DPU Plan is being rolled out with the County's Sustainability Plan, which is discussed in greater depth on the County's Get Green Sustainability Page.  The Sustainability Plan is a broader document that looks at diverse sustainability indicators including energy usage, water usage, waste and recycling, alternative transportation and parks and open space. The focus of both plans is to set goals and to develop strategies that will enable the effective and efficient creation of a more sustainable community.

Please provide input on these plans, and your assistance in prioritizing recommended strategies to reach the established goals before March 13, 2013 by 11:59 p.m..

There are TWO PLANS and FOUR WAYS to take an active role:

1. Submit your comments through the County's Open Forum;
2. Take our Survey to prioritize recommended strategies on energy conservation, water conservation and waste and recycling;
3. Attend the townsite public meeting:

Los Alamos County Forum - Sustainability Plan & DPU Energy and Water Conservation Plan
Friday, February 22nd from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Mesa Public Library Upstairs Meeting Rooms

 4.  Attend the White Rock public meeting:

Los Alamos County Forum - Sustainability Plan & DPU Energy and Water Conservation Plan
Thursday, February 28th from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
White Rock Town Hall

**************************************************

WELCOME KITS

Welcome kits for new residents to assist them in conserving electricity, natural gas and water are available at no cost. The kits include a "tip wheel" that describes multiple techniques for saving energy and money.  Also included are:

• CFL bulbs, 
• air filter whistle (prevents heating system from running harder than necessary), 
• refrigerator thermometer (ensures refirgerator settings are aligned and optimized with accurate temperature), 
• limelight nightlight (uses a fraction of the elctricity of regular nightlights),
• draft stopper insulation plates (eliminates heat escape through outlet and switch plates),
• faucet aerators, low flow showerheads, toilet leak detection kits, and more water saving devices -- available by request.

Conservation Audits

  On site residential and commercial conservation audits are also available from the DPU at no cost.  A typical residential audit involves a visit to the home by the DPU Conservation Coordinator.  The DPU Conservation Coordinator walks through the home with the resident, making note of convenient conservation practices that could make a difference in energy and water consumption and possibly lower monthly utilities bills.

Solar and Wind Power

  Thinking about installing solar power at your home?  Information on residential solar installations is available at DPU's Solar Power website.  Engineering consultation to ensure that your solar equipment and plans meet code and safety requirements is provided at no cost. If you're not ready to install solar generation equipment, but are still interested in clean energy, consider joining the DPU's LA Green program.   

Xeric Gardening and Outdoor Water Conservation Tips

  Water usage typically triples in the spring and summer months in Los Alamos as homeowners, businesses and organizations attend to landscapes.  The DPU's Waterwise series, provides information and pointers for saving water during the "gardening" months.  Produced in collaboration with NMSU's Extension Agent Carlos Valdez, the newsletters are posted below for your use. With NMSU, DPU also provides a partial listing of xeric plants to assist in reducing water consumption.  Plants are selected for the Los Alamos ecosystem at 7,500 feet.