The Bandera Electric Cooperative, Inc. board of directors approved an energy efficiency program for its members on Wednesday, December 19, 2007. Portions of the new program will be effective January 1, 2008.

 Program Outlined

The new Energy Efficiency Program will begin in stages throughout the new year as follows:

• Our compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) giveaway – to begin January 2 and runs until supply of CFL’s is depleted;
• Our CFL recycling program – begins January 2 and runs indefinably; See EPA Fact Sheet on mercury and CFL bulbs (PDF file)
• The heating and air conditioning dealer rebate incentives (paid to dealers for existing homes only) – begins second quarter 2008 (April, May or June 2008);
• BEC will align with Energy Star and the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency – January 2008
• BEC will begin selling a highly-efficient Marathon Water Heater – begins after training and after inventory is in place likely March 1, 2008
• We will enhance our energy efficiency education effort – begins immediately and will run indefinably.

 CFL Giveaway Coupon

The CFL giveaway is the portion of the new program that will affect each of the 25,000 BEC members as they get their new electric bill about the first week of January 2008. In the envelop with the statement will be a coupon that members can redeem at any of the three BEC offices - Bandera, Comfort or Leakey (see Contacts for specific directions) - to receive a 13 watt CFL at no cost.

 Intended Use

The cooperative is encouraging its members to replace the most used 60 watt light bulb in their home with the 13 watt CFL offered in the giveaway. The bulbs are designed to put out the same amount of light, but use 75% less electricity each. Plus, they operate at a much lower temperature, reducing the amount of heat an air conditioner has to move out of a home. Each CFL is expected to last ten times longer than a conventional bulb.

CFL Recycling Program

Along with the CFL giveaway, BEC is starting a CFL recycling program. There is a tiny amount of mercury in all fluorescent bulbs (see EPA Fact Sheet on mercury and CFL bulbs (PDF file), therefore, they must be properly disposed once they burn out. The co-op is working with a Touchstone Energy Partner to accept small CFL bulbs that are no longer operational and recycle them. A specially designed bucket for CFL recycling collection will be located in each BEC office.

 Energy Savings

A significant amount of energy will be saved if 20,000 BEC members take advantage of the CFL give away offer. It is estimated that 1,372,400 kilowatt-hours in energy consumption will be saved in just one year. This is based on the CFL’s replacing conventional incandescent bulbs that are operated four hours per day.

 Other Aspects of Program

Other aspects of the BEC Energy Efficiency Program will be implemented throughout the New Year. Watch for new program announcements in the Texas Co-Op Power magazine and on the BEC website: www.banderaelectric.com

 BEC Serious About Energy Efficiency

“At BEC we are serious about energy efficiency and we want to be part of the solution by reshaping energy consumption habits one member at a time,” said Brian Bartos, Engineering manager and leader of the BEC Energy Efficiency Program team. “The CFL give away is just the beginning of our new Energy Efficiency Program and I hope each BEC member will learn to trim the amount of electricity they use because of our efforts.” 

Program Complements National Policy

While the new BEC program is not related it does come on the heels of a national energy policy recently pass by congress and signed into law by the president today. The nation’s energy consumption appetite is under scrutiny as we are forced to scramble to find additional generation resources and reduce emissions produced by burning fossil fuels.