[Press Release] : Press Release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2005

CONTACT: Jay Hasheider, Energy Management Specialist
Tina Worley, Utility Services Manager
Connie Kacprowicz, Communications Specialist
Office - (573) 874-7325

Incentive program for businesses cuts lighting costs

	(Columbia, MO) -- In a typical commercial building, about half the energy used by lighting is wasted in inefficient use, obsolete light fixtures or insignificant maintenance. Columbia Water and Light has started a new program to help businesses control lighting costs. The Lighting Incentive Program offers business customers rebates to cover the costs of upgrading lighting fixtures. These upgrades cut electric demand which help the business and the utility save money by conserving resources.  
	The goal of the Lighting Incentive Program is to lower Columbia's annual electric demand which reduces the system's peak demand. This lessens the utility's need to purchase higher priced peaking power on the wholesale market. This saves Columbia Water and Light money, which helps fund the rebates to the businesses for installing more efficient lighting.  
	Columbia Water and Light's Lighting Incentive Program 'buys' lighting efficiency from business customers with high electric demand in the following manner:
*	Columbia Water and Light staff make recommendations on how to increase the business's lighting efficiency.
*	To qualify for a rebate, a business's new lighting system has to be at least a 10 kilowatt reduction from the old lighting system.  
*	The program will provide an incentive rebate payment of one-half the cost of the lighting retrofit, or $100 per kilowatt (KW) of reduction, whichever is less.
	For example, under the program, if a customer upgrades his/her lighting system 	at a cost of $6,000 and reduces electric consumption by 20 kilowatts, then 	he/she will be reimbursed $2,000 by Columbia Water and Light.  
	The Lighting Incentive Program was unveiled at a lighting technology seminar hosted by Columbia Water and Light and the Missouri Public Utility Alliance on Wednesday, June 29. The seminar was attended by 45 area business managers. Five speakers from various lighting manufacturers presented information on new technologies and different methods on upgrading lighting systems. 
	According to Jay Hasheider, energy management specialist with Columbia Water and Light, "It was exciting to see business customers come out to learn how they can make their business more profitable by reducing lighting costs. Lights can account for 30 percent or more of a business's utility bill so it is a great place to start conserving. The best thing about the Lighting Incentive Program is that everyone benefits from conservation: the business, the utility and the whole community."

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