Los Alamos County

The Board of Public Utilities approved in June 2013 and updated in March 2015 the DPU Energy and Water Conservation Plan . This plan 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.

2015 DPU Energy and Water Conservation Plan

In December 2020 DPU conducted a survey, at the request of the Board of Public Utilities, to determine the level of community support for or opposition to the environmental goals adopted in October 2020. 

Triton Polling and Research, Inc sampled 515 citizens using a combination of cell phones, landlines and emails. The confidence level is at 95 percent with a margin of error at +/- 4.3 percent.  

* Triton Polling and Research Results (December 2020)
* DPU power point presentation on the survey results to BPU (January 2021)
* Press Release (January 25, 2020)

In 2021 DPU will incorporate these goals into an updated DPU energy and water conservation plan. In addition, conservation initiatives that support these goals and were recommended to the Board by a volunteer citizen committee last July 2020, will be integrated into this plan where appropriate.

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:

• LED 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), and
• toilet leak detection kits, and more water saving devices -- available by request.

Water usage typically triples in the spring and summer months in Los Alamos as homeowners, businesses and organizations attend to landscapes. Los Alamos has a wonderful resource for its citizens, the NMSU Cooperative Extension Office in Los Alamos. The professionals at the Cooperative Extension Services can recommend waterwise plants, waterwise landscaping techniques, provide literature, and offer classes.

Contact them at 505.662.2625 or visit the webpage at http://losalamosextension.nmsu.edu.

SUBSCRIBE TO LA GREEN
Los Alamos customers can join LA Green, the renewable energy program, for as little as $.50 per month.  By joining LA Green, you are purchasing renewable Energy Credits (RECs) that support electricity generation from a renewable source such as wind, solar or qualifying hydroelectric plants.

Learn more about subscribing to LA Green (PDF)

• Read the recent bill insert on Upgrading Your Thermostat To Save on Utilities.  
• Lower your thermostat. Lowering your thermostat 5 degrees at night will save 15 - 20 percent on heating costs. Lowering the thermostat from 70 degrees to 68 degrees during the day will save 5 - 10 percent.
• Wash clothes in cold water. About 80 percent of energy is used to wash clothes is for heating water.
• Weather stripping. Windows and doors can account for more than 25 percent of heat loss from an average home. Replace or repair broken window glass, worn weather-stripping and doors that don't fit properly.
• Humidify your home. In winter, the air is normally dry inside your home, especially here in New Mexico. This is a disadvantage because to be comfortable in dry air, people require a higher temperature than they would in a humid environment. Humidifiers can help make your home more comfortable with less energy.
• Take showers, not a bath. A bath typically takes 15-25 gallons of heated water, whereas it takes less than 10 gallons of water for a five-minutes shower.
• Keep fireplace dampers closed. When you're not using your fireplace: An open damper in a 48-inch square fireplace can let up to 8 percent of your heat out of the chimney.
• Check duct work for air leaks. When the fan is on feel around duct joints for escaping air. Simply covering the cracks with duct tape can repair small leaks. Larger leaks may require caulking and tape. This could save up to 9 percent on your bill.

For more great tips visit the U.S. Department of Energy website at:https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver

For more energy saving tips the Pajarito Environmental Education Center has put together some short videos:

Beginning May 1 through September 30, Water Rule W-8 is in effect. 

1. Water outside landscaping before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m.;
2. Odd addresses irrigate on Sun., Wed. and Fri; 
3. Even addresses irrigate on Tue., Thu., and Sat.;
4. Use automatic shut-off nozzles on hoses;
5. Prevent water waste, such as water overflowing onto sidewalks, and streets.

Thank you for complying with Water Rule W-8 and helping the County conserve water.