The Newsletter for Watt Watchers and Energy Commission Schools

Fall 1999
Published by the Energy Center University of Texas at El Paso
Sponsored by the Texas Comptroller of General Accounts - State Energy Conservation Office
Volume 3 Number 2

It’s a great slogan but converting ideas and in- If not you... then WHO? If not now then... WHEN?
tentions into action can be hard. Forming new habits Well, what’s your answer? Are you the one who will
can be very difficult. Helping others to take action
and improve their habits
can be even harder. Do
you have the resolve nec-
essary to create change?
Can you lead the way to a
brighter future? Watt
Watchers just do it.
Watt Watchers are
just the sort of people who
are committed to making
things happen, people
Just Do It.
“E - QUOTE”
decide to – Just Do It? “The real work of planet-
saving will be small,
I see you are still humble, and humbling, and
If not you... then reading – so you must be
a potential Watt Watcher.
(insofar as it involves love)
pleasing and rewarding. Its
jobs will be too many to
Let me tell you a little
WHO? about how it works. Watt
Watchers is a simple yet
count, too many to report,
too many to be publicly no-
ticed or rewarded, too small
If not now...then effective step towards im-
proving your school. You
to make anyone rich or fa-
mous.”
look for empty class-
WHEN? rooms with the lights on,
turn them out, and leave
Wendell Berry

who think and ask ques- a reminder “ticket” for the

tions, and people who get teacher.
involved in their communities. If that sounds like you
– we hope you will join us. Just Do It. That’s it. Simple and effective. Save energy
and prevent pollution. But someone has to – Just Do
Not everyone will take on the responsibility to It. How about you?
improve our world but the questions that must be
asked are these:
ENERGY EXTRA !

Watt Watchers for Life

Once a Watt Watcher always a Watt Watcher. “Not many people realize
There are teachers in Texas that have been continu- Do You Believe It? that the national energy
ously operating the Watt Watchers program for 10 bill is almost as much as
years! Sometimes with our support and sometimes the Federal income tax
all on their own. These special teachers are truly Watt bill – more than $500 bil-
Watchers for Life – they will always be working to save lion per year.”
energy and improve the environment.
National Association of
But every Watt Watcher can become a Watt State Energy Officials
Watcher for life. I’m not referring to the fact that once (NASEO) Energy Primer
a sponsor signs up there is no need to re-enroll each
year but to the fact that “Watching Watts” will go with
you wherever you go in life from now on. This is true
for students as well as teachers. In the future you may look a little bit like these caricatures.
Or at least you will not look exactly the way you do now.
WATTS INSIDE
You will be a Watt Watcher at home1, when driv- But you will still be Watt Watchers.
Resource Outlet........... 2
ing , when you are buying a new appliance3, and in
2

everything you do4. As you go through life you will News ............................ 3
have a new perspective. You will be among the very So, beware! Participating in Watt Watchers
Announcements ........ 4
few people who are conscious of the impact that en- could cause a transformation in you that permanently
ergy has on our lives. You will know the consequences changes your way of thinking. You may become a Advertise ......................5
of turning out lights in empty rooms. You will ask Watt Watcher for Life! Now if we could only get ev-
how much energy an appliance uses before you buy eryone to be Watt Watchers. Energy Packets ........... 6
it. _________
1 Green Guide ............... 7
Turning out the lights and telling your parents to
It may be a subtle difference but it is very sig- save energy. Jr. Solar Sprint ............. 8
nificant. All the little decisions we make that affect 2 Driving less, combining trips, maintaining your car.
energy use everyday will gain a new significance for 3 Checking the “second price tag” – the cost of energy Buying Smart .............. 9
you. You will now be a more discriminating consumer over its life.
Hit the Showers ..........10
that seeks out products with the lowest life-cycle cost 4 There is almost always an energy efficient choice
– including energy! among our options. Dictionary ....................11
2
RESOURCE OUTLET
Power Art Celebrates EnergySmart Kids Contest!
Energy Awareness Month The EnergySmart Kids Contest is a national essay
October is Energy Awareness Month.␣ T o celebrate contest sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and
this event,␣ Secr
etary␣ of Ener gy Bill Richardson announced Owens Corning to involve 4th-6th grade students in mak-
a nationwide art contest designed to raise student aware- ing their schools and homes more energy efficient. Ten con-
ness of how the science of energy impacts our␣ lives.␣ ”The test winners will earn the opportunity to be appointed
Power Art Competition will challenge young artists EnergySmart Ambassadors and participate in the nation's
to␣ develop artwork that elates
r to the history of energy inaugural EnergySmart Student Summit in Washington,
technologies,␣ how␣ power will shape the 21st century , or the D.C. in November.
impact of energy in our␣ daily␣ lives,” said Secr etary With less than five percent of the world population,
Richardson. the United States is responsible for producing 20 percent
This contest asks␣ contestants to submit art that il- of the global emissions that contribute to global warming.
lustrates the␣ theme: “Ener gy␣ Millennium - Honor the Past, By participating in the EnergySmart Kids Contest, you can
Imagine the Future,” depicting energy␣ use␣ om fr the dawn help encourage your fellow Americans to make their
of time to as far into the future as the young artists␣ can schools and homes more energy efficient. As a result, you
imagine.␣ U.S. students in grades four thr ough eight will can help Americans save the planet's natural resources and
create␣ posters, no larger than 20"x30", (they must be flat, reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
not␣ three-dimensional) and submit them with a registra- Just write a 100-word-or-less essay on why "Saving
tion form. Energy Starts with Me" for a chance to be appointed an
A panel of judges will select the winners and the EnergySmart National Ambassador and earn the opportu-
top 100 pieces of␣ student art which will be displayed at DOE nity to: Participate in the nation's first EnergySmart Stu-
Headquarters and will␣ become␣ part of a traveling exhibit, dent Summit in Washington, D.C. Share your ideas with
WATTS showcasing the contestants’ creativity,␣ in␣ major sites in Il- the top leaders from the U.S. Department of Energy and
linois, Oregon, and New York.␣ Owens Corning. Help write the nation's first EnergySmart
The artwork will be grouped into two categories: Proclamation. Participate in a news conference promoting
grades 4-6 and␣ grades␣ 7-8.␣ The top ee thrstudent artists in energy efficiency. Read your award-winning essay on a
WORTH each category will receive a␣ U.S. Savings Bond, with a bond television show in New York City. Win cool EnergySmart
going to the first place winner,␣ unner␣
r up, and honorable prizes. Go to the EnergySmart Schools website to register
mention.␣ First place winners, accompanied by a␣ school and get more information: http://www.eren.doe.gov/
chaperon, will also win a paid trip to Washington, D.C. energysmartschools/
KNOWING in␣ December 1999, to eceive
r their prize during a ceremony
opening the␣ MillenniumYoung Artists Show at DOE Head- Effective Environmental Choices
quarters.␣ Among the hundreds of bits of advice about how
The deadline for submission is November 1, to save the earth — what actually makes a difference? Are
1999.␣ Contestants must␣ submit entries to:␣ ␣ U.S. Departmentsome things more likely to make an impact on air or water
of Energy; Attention: “Power Art” Contest␣ ; .PO. Box 901; pollution than others? For example, we have all been mo-
1000 Independence Ave., SW; Washington, D.C. 20585. mentarily paralyzed over whether to ask for paper or plas-
For further information about the rules, or to ob- tic bags at the grocery store. We are confused.
tain a registration␣ form and/or T eaching Guide, please log Finally, there is a guide to help us sensibly evaluate
onto our web site,␣ http://home.doe.gov/powerart/ all of the everyday choices we make that shape the envi-
power.htm or simply telephone us at␣ 202-586-1908.␣ ronment. A new Union of Concerned Scientists book – The
Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environmental Choices identi-
Fuel Economy Guide: Model Year 2000 fies the Dirty Seven. The authors grouped spending into
50 major categories but found that most environmental deg-
The Fuel Economy Guide: Model Year 2000 was radation is linked to just seven categories. They are: Cars
prepared by DOE’s Office of Transportation Technologies and Light Trucks; Meat and Poultry; Fruit, Vegetables and
from data compiled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Grains; Household Appliances and Lighting; Home Heat-
Agency. The guide helps consumers compare the gas mile- ing, Hot Water, and Air Conditioning; Home Construc-
age of similarly sized cars, light-duty trucks, minivans, tion; Household Water and Sewage. They are NOT advo-
sport utility vehicles, and special purpose vehicles. In ad- cating that we stop these seven consumer activities but that
dition, users can find gas mileage data by class of car or by we make modest changes that can have a maximum im-
manufacturer, search for vehicles that have specific mile- pact.
age performance, and find out which cars get the best and Informed consumer action that can really make a
worst mileage in their respective classes. difference. To read the first chapter of the book and/or to
Searching the Fuel Economy Guide by mileage will order your very own copy go to: http://www.ucsusa.org/
tell you that the best gasoline-fueled car is the new Honda less/index.html and click on UCS Consumer’s Guide.
Insight, a hybrid electric vehicle that goes on sale in De-
cember. The Insight achieves 61 miles per gallon (mpg) in
the city and 70 mpg on the highway. http:// Indoor Air Quality
www.fueleconomy.gov/ Tools for Schools Action Kit
Frequently, indoor air quality (IAQ) issues arise in
October is Energy Awareness Month conjunction with energy efficiency upgrades. Here is a com-
Each year DOE takes the opportunity to promote a plete kit to help your school manage IAQ.
greater public understanding and awareness of energy This easy-to-use kit shows schools how to carry out
sources, how they can be used wisely and effectively, and a practical plan of action that will maintain or improve in-
the importance of energy to the economic prosperity and door air quality at little or no cost using common-sense
future of America. This year the theme for Energy Aware- activities and in-house staff. The kit was developed by EPA,
ness Month is -- Clean Energy for the 21st Century. and is co-sponsored by the National Education Associa-
During the month, a variety of energy-related ac- tion, National PTA, Council for American Private Educa-
tivities will highlight the technological advances that we're tion, Assciation for School Business Officials, American Fed-
achieving every day with the help of private sector part- eration of Teachers, and the American Lung Association.
ners, national laboratories, universities, associations, and The order form for the kit is available from IAQ INFO via
many other organizations. To launch the month's activi- EPA Document Reference Number 402-K-95-001, Septem-
ties, on October 5 Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson will ber 1995. PLEASE NOTE: A single copy of the Kit is avail-
accept the keys to a brand new Ford Motor Company P2000 able at no cost to schools by faxing a request for the Kit (on
LSR (low storage requirement) hybrid vehicle. school letterhead) to 703-356-5386.
Throughout the month, the many ways energy af- The IAQ Tools for Schools -Videos are available free
fects us all will be highlighted through a series of events of charge and can be obtained by calling the IAQ INFO
and announcements. A calendar that lists clean energy Clearinghouse at 1-800-438-4318 (use the IAQ Clearing-
activities and announcements is available at the Clean En- house reference number 402-V-98-001).
ergy for the 21st Century website. You can also order your All of the Kit, except for the IAQ Problem Solving
free copy of DOE’s new brochure and poster (pictured here) Wheel, is available on the internet at http://www.epa.gov/
at : http://www.eren.doe.gov/cleanenergy/ iaq/schools/tools4s2.html

THE TRANSMISSION LINE
Energy Efficient Schools
Would Help Teaching
Increasing energy efficiency at schools would re-
duce the␣ second lar gest expenditure for education, and al-
low money to␣ be spent on mor e critical student needs. U.S.
schools spend␣ mor e than $6 billion a year on energy, says
the Alliance to␣ Save Energy, more than the combined spend-
ing on computers␣ and textbooks. One-quarter of that en-
ergy is wasted in␣ inef ficient facilities, and energy waste
must be reduced in new␣ and existing schools so the sav-
ings can be directed to teach␣ students in cash-strapped and
often overcrowded schools.
Six thousand new schools will be required to ac-
commodate the␣ gr owing number of students over the next
decade, and many␣ existing schools ar e in need of renova-
tion. “Teachers teach␣ and students learn best in an envi-
ronment that is comfortable,␣ healthy , naturally lit, and in
good repair,” reads an ASE␣ esolution.
r “Studies indicate that
student achievement is␣ gr eater and attendance higher when
these conditions are met;␣ yet, most of our nation’s schools
are in need of renovation to␣ each
r this standard of comfort
and efficiency.”
Government should allow incentives for energy ef-
ficiency in the design and␣ enovation
r of schools, says ASE
president David Nemtzow.␣ Individual states should pr
vide technical and financial␣ assistance because “most school
districts do not have the␣ knowledge of cutting-edge design
and technologies to␣ implement optimum ef ficiency into
new school construction or␣ into school enovations.”
r Per-
formance contracting through␣ ener gy service companies
would reduce the need for␣ government money on changes.
Energy-efficient design and construction saves
money and is good for the environment,␣ andASE notes
that students who are involved in helping to␣ implement
efforts also benefit from a learning experience that␣ can
strengthen math, science, and communication
skills.␣ ”Simple behavior changes alone save some $7,000
per␣ school,” adds Nemtzow . “That’s a lot of bake sales.”
http://www.ase.org/about/resolutions/schools.htm␣
U.S. Poll Shows Strong Support
for Renewables
A survey shows that most Americans want government to
give priority funding for renewable energy, and that nuclear
power and fossil fuels should be the first to be chopped. In
the fifth national opinion poll conducted by the Sustain-
able Energy Coalition, 62% want high priority for DOE
funding of renewable energies, while 9% would reduce that
program.
Nuclear is seen as the best area to cut spending by
31%, while 21% want less support for fossil fuels. A Port-
folio Standard that requires 10% of electricity to be gener-
ated from solar, wind, geothermal and biomass is supported
by 78%, and 59% want a small surcharge on utility custom-
ers to fund renewables research and low-income assistance.
More than 80% (45% strongly; 36% somewhat) support tax
incentives to increase green electricity, and incentives to
purchase energy-efficient vehicles, new homes, and heat-
ing and cooling equipment.
High levels of support for renewables cut across de-
mographic factors of gender, age and income categories
and, ironically, the survey was conducted just two weeks
before committees of the U.S. House and Senate both rec-
ommended cuts in DOE funding for renewables and in-
creases for nuclear and fossil fuels programs.
New Oil Giant Creates
World’s Biggest Solar Company
BP Amoco will pay $45 million to purchase the 50%
of Solarex that is owned by Enron. BP Solarex will have
revenue of $150 million a year (20% of the global market)
and manufacture 30 MW of solar products at facilities in
the U.S., Spain, Australia and India. BP Amoco wants a $1
billion solar business within ten years, and recently an-
nounced plans to provide green fuels to 40 cities with high
smog levels, and will reduce its own greenhouse gas emis-
sions by 10% by 2010. Solarex was formed in 1973 and
became a joint venture of Amoco and Enron in 1995. It
manufactured $58 million of polycrystalline cells and mod-
ules in 1998, and has 600 staff. BP Solar was created in
1981 and had a 1998 turnover of $95 million.
D e t a i l s : h t t p : / / w w w. b p a m o c o . c o m / s c r i p t s
pressrelease.asp?PressReleaseID=195
3
White House Demands
More Renewables
for Government E
President Clinton has or- W IR
H E
dered federal departments to use T
less energy and to cut greenhouse O FF
T
gas emissions over the next decade.
The U.S. government consumes S HO
W
more than $8 billion of energy a
year, half to heat/cool and light
NE
500,000 buildings. Clinton’s order
directs all agencies to reduce con-
sumption by 35% by 2010 over
1985 levels, and to reduce GHG
emissions by 30% over 1990 levels.
He wants each agency to “strive to
expand” the use of solar, wind,
geothermal and biomass by imple-
menting projects and purchasing
electricity from these renewable
sources. Washington will install
2,000 solar energy systems at fed-
eral facilities by 2000, and 20,000
systems by 2010.
o- Several of the news stories re-
printed in this issue were ex-
World Environment Damage cerpted from:
“Jumping Off the Charts” http://www.renewables.ca
The WorldWatch Institute says 1998 was “an off-the-chart
year” in terms of temperature increases, with weather-re-
lated damage exceeding $92 billion, up 53% from the 1996
record of $60 billion. Although they cannot blame CO2
levels from fossil fuels, “climate simulation models sug-
gest that the events of 1998 could be a window on the fu-
ture, a consequence of failing to rein in carbon emissions
soon enough.” Concern over climate change and deple-
tion of fossil fuels, energy is shifting to renewable energy
sources, with wind power growing at 22% a year from 1990
to 1998, and solar at 16% per year, while oil grew at 2% and
coal was static. “The foundation is being laid for the emer-
gence of wind and solar cells as cornerstones of the new
TESTING
energy economy.” World wind capacity grew from 7,600 THE
MW in 1997 to 9,600 in 1998, led by Germany (790 MW),
Spain (380 MW), Denmark (308 MW) and the U.S.(326 MW). CIRCUITS
India has 900 MW of capacity and China commissioned a
24 MW windfarm in Inner Mongolia last year. Sales of PV
cells rose 21%, fueled by new roofing material that gener-
ates electricity. Details: http://www.worldwatch.org/
pubs/vs/vs99/index.html
In the United States the most
More Wind Power Coming to Texas widely used energy re-
TU Electric of Texas has ordered four V-66 wind tur- sources is:
bines to feed its growing consumer demand for windpower.
This is the second contract to York Research, and the units a.) Coal
will be installed near the first 35 MW (46 turbine) windfarm b.) Natural Gas
that was commissioned in December. c.) Oil
Electricity will be dedicated for Waco under the TU
Renew option. Turbines will generate 6.6 MW (net 19.7
million kWh/a). Politicians in Waco want that city to be-
come the first in the U.S. to have 25% of its electricity gen- 23% and Natural Gas about 22%.
erated from renewable resources. 40% of our energy. Coal is about
The American Wind Energy Association has posted Answer: c) Oil. provides about
a map of all wind projects in the United States at http://
www.awea.org/projects/index.html
Shell Will Spend $20 Million
to Promote Renewables
Royal Dutch Shell will invest $20 million over the next three
years on programs to reduce the environmental impact of
fossil fuel use and to increase access to sustainable energy
sources. The company initiative will support renewable
energy sources in developing nations, and will complement
existing renewable energy projects, such as solar and hy-
drogen-powered cars. Shell denies it is an “environmental
philanthropist” but sees “real and increasing business op-
portunities coming out of our interest and investment in Watch
new energy sources.” It predicts that renewables will com-
pete in gas markets, but says “there is plenty of room for WATTS
both given the rising demand for electricity.”
Details: http://library.shell.com/library/speech/ e-mail: watts@utep.edu
0,1525,3893,00.html
 4
WHAT’S YOUR
ENERGY
IQ
In the United States the least
abundant energy resource
is:
a.) Coal
b.) Natural Gas
c.) Oil
Answer: c) Oil
ENERGY EXTRA !
PV WATTS is a Per-
formance Calculator for
Grid-Connected Photovol-
taic (PV) Systems.
Researchers at the
National Renewable Energy
Laboratory developed
PVWATTS to permit non-
experts to quickly obtain
performance estimates for
grid connected PV systems.
In a grid-connected
PV system, PV modules,
wired together to form a PV
array, pass DC electricity
through an inverter to con-
vert it into AC power. If the
PV system AC power is
greater than the owner's
needs, the inverter sends the
surplus to the utility grid for
use by others. The utility
provides AC power to the
owner at night and during
times when the owner's re-
quirements exceed the capa-
bility of the PV system.
http://rredc.nrel.gov/so-
lar/codes_algs/PVWATTS/
NOW HEAR THIS!
Did you know schools spend more money on energy
than on computers and textbooks combined? The stu-
dents and staff of your school probably don’t know it
either – so maybe you should tell them during the
morning announcements.
Every school has morning announcements over the
public address system right after the Pledge of Alle-
giance. It is an opportunity to address the entire school
with short, important messages on school events and
business. This is the perfect time to broadcast your
message about Watt Watchers.
In response to several requests from current Watt
Watchers schools we have compiled a short list of pos-
sible announcements for you to use during morning
announcements at your school. Please adapt the
sample announcements provided in this article to your
local situation. For example, you could add “This
announcement brought to you by the {insert name of
school} Watt Watchers.” Or, just use them as inspira-
tion. The announcements you write will be really good.
Share them with us and we will print them in the next
Watts News (with full credit for your Watt Watchers
group).
Be sure to practice your announcements many times
before you make them “on air,” this way you will iron
out any possible wrinkles before your live perfor-
mance. You will also be able to get feedback from your
teacher and peers on the announcement. Use them
the way a Hollywood producer would use a focus
group -- to fine tune the announcement for maximum
effect.
Sample announcement #1:
Leaving the lights on for two hours each day in an
empty classroom at {name of your school} School over
the school year costs {Insert name} Independent School
District fifty dollars ($50). You can help cut our school
energy bill and save money while cutting pollution.
Please remember to turn out the lights when you leave
your room.
Sample announcement #2:
Turning off the lights in empty classrooms at {name
of school} school cuts pollution. If the lights are turned
off in one classroom for two unoccupied hours each
school day – a half a ton (933 pounds) of carbon diox-
ide (CO2) will be kept out of the atmosphere each year.
And, about 10 pounds of sulphur dioxide and nitro-
gen oxide will not pollute the air.
Sample announcement #3:
Turning off the lights when you leave the room seems
like a small act. But little things can add up. Turning
out the lights in one empty classroom at {name of
school} for 2 hours every school day saves $50 each
year for our school district. It also prevents about a
half ton of carbon dioxide from entering the atmo-
sphere.
Sample announcement #4:
1st Student Announcer:
“Hello, this is {Insert Your Name}. (cough) E2 equals
P2 (cough, cough). This is (cough, cough) an important
equation. It means (cough) Energy Efficiency equals
(cough, cough, cough) Pollution Prevention. If you
would like to have clean air (cough, cough, cough) now
and in the future – be energy efficient! (cough, cough)
Turn out the lights when you leave your classroom.
We will all breathe a little easier.” (Cough, cough, cough,
cough, cough, cough, cough, etc.)
2nd Student Announcer: {In a concerned tone of voice} Er,
Hi this is {Insert Your Name}. I’m sorry {insert name
of 1st Student Announcer} had to leave. (Aside: Some-
one get her a drink of water) This announcement was
brought to you by the {insert name} school Watt Watch-
ers (cough, cough).
Sample announcement #5:
FLIP OUT (the lights)
{In this announcement the phrase “FLIP OUT” is said with
emphasis. Either the announcer uses a voice inflection, or
several students say it in unison to make it stand out.}
The {Insert the name of your school} School Watt
Watchers don’t want you to — FLIP OUT over
energy!!
We just want to remind you to FLIP OUT the lights.
If everyone in the {Insert name} Independent school
district remembers to turn off lights in empty
rooms we can save thousands of dollars per year
and reduce pollution, too.
So, remember: Every time you leave the room –
FLIP OUT to save money
FLIP OUT to prevent pollution
FLIP OUT the lights
{It is also recommended that a mini-poster campaign -- see
page 5 & 6 -- be coordinated with announcements to maxi-
mize the effect.}
Sample announcement #6:
{Insert name of principal or other person everyone will
recognize} is going to use 7 gallons of gasoline today.
So is every other student and staff member of (insert
name) school.
It takes the energy equivalent of 7 gallons of gasoline
for each American citizen to power all the farms, fac-
tories, stores, schools, planes, trains, and automobiles
in the United States each day.
You can save energy by using it more efficiently, please
remember to turn out the lights in empty classrooms.
Sample announcement #7:
A nickel and a dime.
Every time.
Turning out the lights when you leave your classroom
saves {insert name} Independent School District fif-
teen cents each hour.
Please help {insert name} school use energy efficiently.
Turn out the lights.
Sample announcement #8:
Here’s a bright idea:
Make sure your classroom is dark when you leave.
Turn out the lights in empty classrooms to save money
and cut pollution.
Sample announcement #9:
Write your own announcement using interesting facts
you may read about energy. Find them on the internet,
in articles, or adapt the ENERGY EXTRA and
E QUOTEs found in WATTS NEWS.
watch
wattwatchers.utep.edu
1-888-879-2887
watts
 5
IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE
The goal of Watt Watchers is awareness. Help-
ing your classmates and teachers become aware of the
could revolve around Ulysses S. Grant (that guy on
the $50 bill) or the phrase “FLIP OUT” or whatever
“E - QUOTE”
consequences of using energy is a very important job. For the past century, global
makes good sense and will catch peoples attention at energy growth marched in
The potential to save energy, money and improve the your school. lockstep with economic
environment is huge. One way to remind everyone to growth. Energy use in-
save energy is to patrol your school’s hallways, turn We have created three sample designs to get creased 400% to accomodate
out the lights in empty classrooms, and leave behind you started but, as always, we hope you will design a doubling of world popu-
a “ticket” or thank you note if the lights are off – both your own, too. Meanwhile, just copy these and stick lation and quadrupling of
are equally effective. them up. Don’t forget to put your Watt Watchers Gross World Product. The
group’s name on the posters. (Also, don’t forget to world now consumes the
Another means of educating everyone about take responsibility for removing and recycling or stor- equivalent of 175 million
energy is through your school’s morning announce- ing the posters at the end of your campaign.) If these barrels of oil each day --
ments. Everyone in the school hears your message. don’t copy well call us and we will mail you some equal to 85,000 gallons of
But hearing the message on the morning announce- copies on bright white paper. gasoline each second.
Center for Renewable Energy
ments and also seeing tickets/thank you notes has an
and Sustainable Technology
extra effect on people. It is better than either one alone.
Advertising agencies call it a synergistic effect and
strive to create multi-media, comprehensive cam-
paigns to maximize the effect of their ad campaigns.
They bombard consumers with print, broadcast, di-
rect mail and more.

You can create your own advertising campaign

for Watt Watchers by combining forms of “advertis-
ing.” Why not add Energy Posters to your campaign
of tickets/thank yous and morning announcements?
Posting some graphic, eye catching signs around your
school can help hammer home the message about en-
Q: How many drop-outs
ergy awareness. does it take to change a
lightbulb?
You could even tie your posters, announce-
ments, and tickets together with a theme. Your theme
Watt Watchers A: Who can tell. Drop-outs
1-888-US WATTS are always in the dark.

TURN OUT
THELIGHTS!!!!!!

ONE CLASSROOM (AT YOUR SCHOOL)

TWO HOURS (PER DAY)
ONE YEAR (180 SCHOOL DAYS)
SAVE $50 IN ENERGY
Place the name of your Watt Watchers group here.

(see other side)

6
ENERGY POSTERS
Don’t Flip Out..

...Just
Flip Out
the Lights.
Place the name of your Watt Watchers group here.

WATCH
The Eyes of Texas
are upon you ...

please turn out the

lights in empty
classrooms.

WATTS
 7
HOMETOWN GREEN GUIDE
Do the Right Thing: Publish Your Home Town Green Guide
People want to do the right thing. But often they don’t factsheets on environmental issues.
know how to save energy around the house or where to 7.) TNRCC also has a toll-free number to report smoking
recycle glass or what they can do as regular citizens. Im- autos, 800-453-7664.
proving our environment is something that each of us can 8.) Publish information on local groups involved in envi-
contribute to – the sum of millions of little decisions and
acts add up. Creating a guide that helps people figure out
ronmental work: Keep America Beautiful, for example.
9.) Publish information on state and national environmen-
“E - QUOTE”
what is important and what is possible –LOCALLY – will tal and energy groups: “The 20th century has been
empower the citizens of your community to do the right • Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) 1-800-465-5049, the age of fossil fuels, but
thing! You can make things easier by providing informa- www.txses.org the 21st century will be the
tion. • Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) solar-hydrogen century,
512-479-7744, www.io.com/~seed powered by renewable re-
Big or little • Environmental Defense Fund(EDF) 1-800-684-3322, sources.”
The guide you produce may be 24 pages with paid adver- www.edf.org
tising to cover printing costs or it may be a single mimeo- • Sierra Club www.sierraclub.org Christopher Flavin,
graphed page. You may print thousands or copy a few • Look in the Spring 1999 WATTS NEWS for Others Vice President of the
dozen now and then as needed. Maybe your guide will be Worldwatch Institute
electronic – that is, it will be a web page on your school’s
web site. What counts is the quality of information you
deliver. If people are better able to save energy and protect
the environment because of your guide, you will have suc-
“It’s not easy
ceeded. And, your guide can be a multi-year project. That
is, your class gets it going and classes in the future expand being green.”
and improve it. ENERGY EXTRA !
Kermit the Frog
Look it up
You will have to do some research to find out what is avail-
able in your community. Start with your peers, ask adults
you know, then branch out to references (phone book, news-
paper), and phone area agencies. For example, you could
call the city sanitation department and talk “trash” – pick- White House
up schedules, special items, hours of the landfill, etc. Ask There is virtually no end to the information you can pro- Demands More
everyone you talk to about other groups or programs that vide in your easy to use reference guide. Tell people how Renewables
should be included in your guide. Follow up on state and to check gasoline mileage before they buy a car — the EPA
national resources that may be appropriate for your area.
for Government
Fuel Economy Guide is at www.epa.gov Refer them to your
President Clinton
local Texas Agricultural Extension Office where they can
Jazz It Up has ordered federal depart-
get composting information and learn about the “Don’t Bag
You may want to include interesting facts along with the ments to use less energy and
It” campaign. Provide local weather facts that you get from
listings of agencies, contacts, and resources. It is sure to to cut greenhouse gas
the local weather bureau or TV Station. Locate local sources
make your publication more interesting to read. For ex- (GHG) emissions over the
for “green” products like recycled paper or energy efficient
ample, next to the section on energy efficiency you might next decade. The U.S. gov-
appliances. Give them the EPA Refrigeration
say: “Did you know the average residential electric cus- ernment consumes more
ChloroFluoroCarbon reclamation hotline – 1-800-296-1996.
tomer uses ?,000 kWh of electricity, ??,000 gallons of water, than $8 billion of energy a
Tell them how to dispose of hazardous wastes (don’t pour
and ?,000 cubic feet of natural gas per month?” (Check with year, half to heat/cool and
pesticides down the drain) and tell them when the next
your local utilities to get the average usage in your area.) light 500,000 buildings.
local hazardous waste “round-up” is scheduled. Etcetera,
Artwork or clipart will help, too. Clinton’s order di-
etcetera, etcetera.
rects all agencies to reduce
This and that consumption by 35% by
But you get the idea. Just dig around, ask everyone you
Here are some areas you might cover but remember the 2010 over 1985 levels, and to
know what they need to know to be more environmentally
value of your guide is that it list resources in your area. reduce GHG emissions by
conscious and then provide the answers. It’s your home
There are probably other resources not listed here that are 30% over 1990 levels. He
town why not make it green. Kermit would love it!
available only in your locale and of course, some of the wants each agency to “strive
ideas listed below will not apply to your hometown. Cus- to expand” the use of
tomize your Hometown Green Guide for your unique lo- renewables by implement-
cal circumstances. ing projects and purchasing
electricity from renewable
1.) How to re-cycle solid waste in your town. Who ac- sources. Washington will
cepts paper, glass, aluminum, etc. What about old car install 2,000 solar energy
systems at federal facilities
batteries, tires, fluorescent light bulbs and household
toxic waste like pesticides? Is there an annual “round- TOLL by 2000, and 20,000 systems
up” for hard to dispose of items? What items cannot by 2010.
be taken to the landfill? Here is a listing of Texas recy- FREE
clers: http://www.home.unicomp.net/~skaja/
North_Texas.html PHONE
2.) What information on home energy audits and/or en-
ergy saving tips are available through local electric, and
natural gas utilities? Also include tips you compile from Now you can FAX Watt Watchers toll-free, too. To make
sources you research. Provide websites and other con- it even easier for you to contact us we have added toll
tacts to get more information. Appliance ratings: free fax capability. To send us a toll free fax simply enter
www.aceee.org Energy Factsheets: www.uta.edu/ees our regular toll free number into your fax machine:
and www.infinitepower.com 1-888-879-2887
3.) How to re-cycle used motor oil in your town. Do any
auto parts stores accept used oil? A national toll-free Q: How many light bulb
hotline (1-800-CLEANUP) may be able to direct you to AND jokers does it take to tell yet
local resources. another light bulb joke?
4.) Give the EPA-DOE Energy Star programs number:
1-800-STAR YES, and website www.energystar.gov
TOLL A: 1,622; One to tell the
5.) Provide the ACEEE energy efficiency appliance website:
www.aceee.org/consumerguide/index.htm
FREE original joke and the rest to
give some minor variation
6.) Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
(TNRCC) 1-800-64-TEXAS has lots of materials and FAX ! to it.
 8
ENERGY EXTRA !
Home of the Beatles
Adopts Wind Power
Six turbines have been con-
structed at the port of
Liverpool to generate elec-
tricity for the U-K grid. The
600 kW Vestas units are lo-
cated on the seawall near the
Mersey Docks, among the
existing cranes of similar 50
meter height. They are
painted light grey to blend
into the skyline, and the 3
Megawatts of power from
the Irish Sea winds will be
sold to the Non Fossil Pur-
chasing Agency.
JUNIOR SOLAR SPRINT
Hey Watt Watchers do you need a good project for MOU states that you will construct a model solar car and
your school? How about this…. demonstrate it for the science coordinator or other district
administrators. If you don’t follow through, the MOU says
The Junior Solar Sprint is a fun and exciting way to learn. you will return the kit to Watt Watchers for use by some
Teams of students build model solar cars and race them other group. That’s it. Demonstrate Junior Solar Sprint to
against each other. The cars your school district and keep the kit for further demos or
run on sunshine that is con- donate it to your district to start the program. The solar
verted to electricity by a panel and motor are recycled from year to year – so your
photovoltaic panel. The school district would only need to make a one-time pur-
electricity from the panel chase of kits.
powers a small motor and
everything is mounted on a Junior Solar Sprint was developed by NREL and lots of
information is available for anyone wishing to participate.
chassis with a drive train
and wheels. Students are In Texas, the Texas Solar Energy Society (TX-SES) spon-
all provided with identical sors and supports the program so there are state resources,
PV panels and motors but too. The program is targeted at 6th through 8th grade classes
have to come up with a but has been operated in other grades successfully.
complete design for the car,
power train, wheels, etc. For more information:
They are typically having
so much fun they don’t no- Texas Solar Energy Society http://www.txses.org
tice how much they are
learning. Motivation runs National Renewable Energy Laboratory http://
sky-high. Junior Solar www.nrel.gov/business/education/SprintWeb/
Sprint can give a shot in the SprintWeb.html
arm to the science program in any school district. The
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed
the program to encourage students to learn more about one
of the main energy sources of the future — renewables.
It’s such a great program you would think that almost ev-
ery school district in Texas would have adopted it by now.
Instead there are a couple of areas that have high interest
and participation but many more where the program is
totally unknown. There is a good reason for this situation.
The areas where there is involvement each have an active
individual who has nurtured the program and helped it
gain acceptance in area school districts. In the Austin area
John Hoffner and Leslie Libby have promoted the program,
in the San Antonio area Bobby Blount is organizing annual
events, and in the Houston area Michael Ewert has worked
with numerous groups and continues to support Junior
Solar Sprint. At the state level the Texas Solar Energy Soci-
ety has devoted much time and effort to the program and
has an excellent website for Junior Solar Sprint. Texas needs
more supporters in every region of the state to get the pro- Minnesota Renewable Energy Society
gram going. http://www.freenet.msp.mn.us/ip/env/mres

Watt Watchers would like to see hundreds of school dis- Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
tricts in Texas get involved in the Junior Solar Sprint pro- http://www.nesea.org/jss.html
gram. Maybe you can help get it started in your school
district. We have several Junior Solar Sprint kits available
for use by Watt Watchers groups. We are looking for a few
good WW classes that want to build a model solar car and The Incandescent Light Bulb Is
then demonstrate it for school administrators to promote
district-wide involvement in Junior Solar Sprint.
One Hundred and Twenty Years Old

The idea is, that once your school district’s administrators

see an actual Junior Solar Sprint car racing down a side-
walk or across a parking lot, they won’t be able to resist
implementing the program. It ‘s a great project that could
have far reaching effects.

Your responsibilities include :

Q: How many thought po-
lice does it take to change a
light bulb?
Building a model solar race car
Making an appointment with school administrators
Making a presentation to school administrators
Demonstrating the model solar car for school
administrators

A: None. There never WAS
any light bulb.
If your WW group would like to help spread the word about
Junior Solar Sprint, we will send you a Free Kit that in-
cludes a motor, a Photovoltaic panel, and some gears. We
will also send along copies of the NREL publications for
your use. We will also be your technical support team to
help you with any questions you may have along the way.
Kits cost about $30 but Watt Watchers will send one to you
at no cost (while our limited supply lasts) if you fill in and
return a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to us. The
"Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration."
Thomas Edison
One hundred and twenty years ago on October 21,
1879 the electric light bulb was first successfully
tested by Thomas A. Edison. The invention marked
the beginning of the electrical age, which—probably
more than any other single technology—changed life
in the twentieth century.
 9
MYTH VS. FACT
Frequently Watt Watchers is asked about the advis- The Illumination Engineering Society (IES) is the
ability of turning off fluorescent lights. The inquiring standard bearer of the lighting industry. The IES Hand-
teacher (almost always a new Watt Watchers sponsor) is a book is the basic reference for all lighting professionals. The
little apologetic and quickly handbook recommends that fluorescent lights be turned
explains that there are just Dazed & Confused out if a space is unoccupied for 5 minutes. (IES Handbook,
some difficult teachers that
insist that the school district
About Lighting? 8th Edition, 1993, Chapter 30, p. 856) “E - QUOTE”
will lose money if they turn James C. Elledge has a Question and Answer col- “One statistic makes clear
out the lights every time umn in Today’s Facility Manager Magazine called Tricks of the demand placed on the
they leave their classroom. the Trade. He tackled the lighting energy myths issue. His earth by our economic sys-
Some of these diffi- response: the electrical surge is 1/120 of a second and en- tem: every day the world-
cult teachers smugly state ergy savings and calendar life of bulbs are more important wide economy burns an
that they happen to know than the number of hours a bulb lasts. He also addresses amount of energy the planet
that frequent switching of the environmental benefits of turning off the lights. required 10,000 days to cre-
fluorescent lights will cause
ate. Or put another way, 27
premature failure of the The Utah Office of Energy Services homepage years worth of stored solar
bulbs and end up costing the (www.aste.utah.usu.edu/docs/myths.htm) explodes four energy is burned and re-
school district more in bulbs, common energy myths including switching fluorescent leased by utilities, cars,
labor, etc. Furthermore, they lights. The recommendation: “… when you leave the room houses, factories, and farms
elaborate, an electrical surge for more than two minutes, turn the lights off.” every 24 hours.”
occurs when fluorescent
Paul Hawken, The Ecology of
lights are switched on and The City of Saskatoon in Canada has a homepage Commerce
this surge will consume that addresses how long various types of light should be
much more energy than Lighting can get very technical left on and carefully documents the source for each recom-
could ever be saved by turn- but one fact is certain: Turning mendation. The recommendation for fluorescent lighting
ing out the lights. off the lights saves enrgy. is 5 minutes.(www.city.saskatoon.sk.ca/buildings/energy/
These difficult teach- Publctn/FactShet/Two.htm)
ers are utterly wrong, of course. But there is a small kernel
of truth within the myths, which is probably how these Manufacturers base the expected life of fluorescent
ideas persistently hang on year in and year out. A surge of bulbs on an average 3 hour “strike.” That is they test them
electricity does occur and extra wear that shortens the life by continuously switcing them off and back on every three
of fluorescent bulbs is caused by switching them on and hours until half of the bulbs fail. An average life in hours is
off. Nevertheless, every lighting expert will agree that turn- expected in bulbs that experience 8 on-off cycles per 24 hour
ing off the lights when you will be out of your classroom period. This fits nicely within almost all patterns of usage
for 10 minutes* or more is the smart choice. Period. What’s for offices and classrooms.
a poor teacher to do?
There is no real controversy here. We just need to The occupancy sensor industry has grown to be a Q: How many members of
get all the facts. Half truths, it seems, create energy myths. very large segment of the energy retrofit market. Occu- the USS Enterprise does it
The electrical surge is extremely short and insignificant. pancy sensors are automatic switches that turn off lights take to change a light bulb?
The wear on the light bulbs is far outweighed by energy after 5 to 10 minutes of no motion in a room or hallway.
savings when the lights are out. Very simple. But I’m afraid The time delay is chosen based on cost effectiveness. A: 8. Scotty reports to Cap-
we will have to do our homework and document these facts. tain Kirk that the light bulb
Watt Watchers recommends simply compiling in the Engineering Section is
documentation and providing it to the “difficult teacher” burnt out, and Kirk sends
*Actually, the experts all say 5 minutes. Watt Watchers Bones to pronounce the
in a scientific and non-threatening manner and asking for chose 10 minutes to eliminate any potential for nit-picking
the same from them. Since there is no evidence supporting bulb dead. Scotty, after
and allow for a spirit of compromise. Most school energy checking around, notices
the myths it will put them in a difficult position. Be gentle managers recommend turning out the lights whenever you
with them -- they are operating on the best knowledge that they have no more new
leave the room regardless of how long you think you will light bulbs, and complains
they have. Science is squarely on your side. be gone.
Please help Watt Watchers catalog the existence of that he can’t see to tend his
the lighting myth. As you encounter it please give us feed- engines. Kirk must make an
back on what happens in your school. And send any ar- emergency stop at the next
ticles you may see that talk about energy myths. uncharted planet, Alpha
Other Energy Packets Regula IV, to procure a light
Here are a list of references about lighting myths. Watt Watt Watchers has several packets of informa- bulb from the natives. Kirk,
Watchers can supply you with hard copies of the referenced tion available for your use. Each packet covers a differ- Spock, Bones, Sulu, and 3
articles on request: ent area of energy use in your school, for example com- red shirt security officers
puters, soda machines, or exit signs. The packets are beam down. The 3 security
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cre- simply a loose collection of articles, charts, ads, websites officers are promptly killed
ated a program called GreenLights to assist corporations and other bits of information we have collected from by the natives and the rest
in improving lighting efficiency. The program has evolved various sources. They have been compiled to help us of the landing party is cap-
into the EnergyStar Buildings program and is jointly spon- keep up with what’s going on in the rapidly advancing tured. Meawhile, back on
sored with the Department of Energy. GreenLights and energy efficiency field. Now we would like to pass them board, Scotty notices a
EnergyStar Buildings recommend that lights be switched on to you. Each packet varies in depth of coverage but Klingon ship approaching
off in unoccupied rooms. The Fall 1997 EnergyStar Build- all can definitely be considered a starting point for your and must warp out of orbit
ings and GreenLights Update includes an article on energy research. Contact us for more in-depth information if a to escape detection. Bones
myths about occupancy sensors. Myths number 4 and 5 packet doesn’t answer your questions. cures the native king, who
address frequent switching and electrical surges. Our hope is that you will implement a program is suffering from the flu, and
to help your school or district approve an energy effi- as a reward the landing
EPA GreenLights training covers the myths and in- ciency policy for computer use or change purchasing party is set free and given all
cludes a pie chart that shows energy to be 90% of the total procedures to specify EnergyStar office machines, for the light bulbs they can
cost of owning and operating a lighting system. The ex- example. Please inquire about other topics not covered carry. Scotty cripples the
ample they provide is for an efficient T-8 system where the here. Klingon ship and warps
energy costs are very low and they use 7 cents per kWh Packets available include: back to the planet just in
(below the national average of 8 cents). Even in this sys- Lighting Energy Myths time to beam up Kirk,
tem energy accounts for 90% of total cost. Materials (re- Computer Energy Use Spock, Bones, and Sulu. The
placement bulbs) are 6%. Labor to change the bulbs is 3%. Copiers light bulb is changed and
And, last but not least, EPA calculated 1% of total costs for Exit Signs the Enterprise continues
properly recycling the old bulbs. Soda Machines with its five year mission to
Daylighting dare to go where no others
have gone before.
10
ENERGY
EXTRA
ENERGY
EXTRA
ENERGY
EXTRA
The Green Lights
Program of China
China has undertaken a ma-
jor national program to im-
prove the energy efficiency
of lighting equipment used
in its buildings and factories
(lighting accounted for
about 13 percent of China’s
total electricity use in 1995).
By implementing this pro-
gram, which was introduced
by the United States Envi-
ronmental Protection
Agency’s (EPA) Green
Lights Program, China
hopes to reduce investment
in new power plants as well
as reduce greenhouse gasses
and other pollutants.
The project will include edu-
cation, certification, label-
ing, demonstration pro-
grams, and technical assis-
tance to industry. The Green
Lights Program has consid-
erable potential benefits; it
would reduce China’s de-
mand for lighting by the
year 2000 by as much as 24
TWh which is roughly the
same as the annual output of
five large thermal power
plants.
F r o m h t t p : / /
www.weea.org/Newslet-
ter/02/02.htm World En-
ergy Efficiency Assn.
Q: How many Carl Sagans
does it take to change a light
bulb?
A: Billions and billions.
I DO DECLARE
DeclarationofEnergyIndependence
When in the Course of Human Events, it becomes necessary for one People
to think about all that energy they use each and every day, a decent respect
requires that they delcare ways to cut down on waste and thereby save the
Planet.
We hold these Truths to be self-evident,
That turning out the lights to save electricity when nobody’s in the
room is most excellent.
That standing in front of the refrigerator with the door open any
longer than we need to is dumb.
That taking really long showers is a total waste of energy and hot
water.
That gas water heaters use less energy than electric water heaters and
that setting the water temperature at 120 degrees F. will save every-
body money and energy.
That we should set our air conditioner thermostat at 78 degrees F. or
higher when we’re home because air conditioners account for almost
half of our electrical bill in the summer.
That we should set our thermostat around 68 degrees F. in the winter,
and put on an extra sweater or something if we’re cold.
That we should close our blinds or drapes during hot summer days
to help keep the heat out of the house,
That we should keep doors and windows closed in the winter when
it’s cold out because it uses less energy to heat the house than to heat
the whole wide world.
That wasting water means wasting energy. It takes a whole bunch of
energy for cities to pump water and clean water and then clean up
the water again after it goes down the drain.
I, therefore, a Representative of the United States of America and the Earth,
declare that waste is bogus. I will do my best to save energy any way I can
because it means less waste and more efficiency and less smog and cleaner
air and less global warming and less of other bad things. Saving energy also
means saving money, so maybe if we save energy I can get a raise in my
allowance, Yes!
_________ ______________
Date Signed Sign Your Name
This tongue-in-cheek adaptation of the original Declaration of Independence
is re-printed from the California Energy Commission website Energy Quest. It is
from the Poor Richard’s Energy Almanac section. There are many, many activities
and areas to explore on this huge website. Teachers and students alike will find
hours of learning, ideas, activities, and entertainment. The site is highly recom-
mended. As always, you will enjoy the site even more with a higher speed con-
nection.
The declaration can be found at http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/ben/
ben-html/ben8.html but you really should go to the main page (http://
www.energy.ca.gov/education ) of the site and browse around since you are sure
to find something you can use.
 11
BULLETIN BOARD
888 Is Really Great !
It had to happen sooner or later. Man- NOTICE ENERGY EXTRA !
kind has used up all of the number com- If you have problems downloading any report or item
binations for the original toll free area mentioned in this issue or do not have access to the
code. But not to fear --- 888 is here! internet -- call us toll free at 1-888-879-2887 and we will
get you a copy of the information you need.
The Watt Watchers phone number is 1-
888 - US WATTS or 1-888-879-2887. It’s
still a FREE call. So do not hesitate to
give us a shout anytime. Isn’t technol-
ogy wonderful? “Twenty to 25% of aver-
age residential energy
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costs can be saved with
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October is
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sign.”
National Renewable En-
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Energy
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ergy Laboratory

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Awareness
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Month
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http://www.eren.doe.gov/cleanenergy/

Watch Watts Q: How many Zen masters

on the does it take to change a light
bulb?
World Wide Web
A: None. Zen masters carry
their own light.
wattwatchers.utep.edu WWW.ADBUSTERS.ORG

JOIN WATT WATCHERS

S
tart a Weight Watchers program at my school?? I don’t WW also provides toll-free telephone support, a
want to go on a diet… Hold on a minute! We’d like website, newsletters and other publications. Sponsors re-
to tell you about WATT WATCHERS – we are the ceive a free kit of materials to equip the students chosen to
guys interested in cutting school energy use. That’s Watts,
as in electricity. Not weight as in diet and eating. Though,
be Watt Watchers. Each student on patrol will have a note-
book with the color WW logo, forms and tickets, a red or
N-R-G
I guess you could say we’d like to put your school’s elec- blue lanyard with a name badge, and a WW pencil. You
tric meter on a diet since it may be eating you out of house may enroll your school in the program by filling in the form IQ
and home. And the kilowatts it eats aren’t cheap. We get on the back page.
that Weight Watchers stuff a lot but it doesn’t bother us. The program is fully developed and will require
We just hope you will join us to help save lots of money for only minimal effort from a teacher/sponsor. We will ship
your school district by watching those watts. complete kits to each sponsor and support them by toll free
Watt Watchers is a free program sponsored by the phone, with our website, and through our newsletter. There
Texas General Services Commission’s State Energy Con- is no cost to your school or district for the Watt Watchers
servation Office that will help your district save energy program since it is funded by the Texas General Services
dollars. Students patrol school buildings looking for wasted Commission’s State Energy Conservation Office.
energy. For example, when the lights are left on in an empty We hope you will consider implementing a Watt United States residents own
classroom or office they are turned off and a reminder Watchers program in your school. Hundreds of schools approximately what per-
“ticket” is left to encourage the teacher or administrator to across Texas have already enrolled in the program and are centage of the world’s auto-
help save energy. Teachers who consistently turn out their saving energy, cutting pollution, and saving money for their mobiles?
lights are left thank you notes. Students can also close ex- districts.
terior doors, turn off computer monitors, and set back ther- a.) 10
mostats in portable classrooms. b.) 15
Turning off lights may sound trivial but it is one of
Join Us! c.) 20
the best ways to cut school energy use. If one teacher See the Enrollment Form on the Back Cover d.) 35
changes his or her habits and remembers to turn out the the backseat.
lights when the class goes to lunch and recess, for example, now no one would have to sit in
$50 will be saved each school year (180 days) by cutting w W one in the U.S. got into a car right
waste for two hours in one class room. Additionally, pol- 35% of the world’s cars. If every-
lution will be cut because the electricity will not be gener-
ated. That’s 933 pounds of carbon dioxide (the main glo-
a A of the world’s population, drives
Answer: d.) The U.S., with 5%
bal warming culprit), 7.95 pounds of sulphur dioxides, and
3.43 pounds of nitrogen oxides.
t T
A teacher or other appropriate individual at your
campus serves as a “sponsor” for the program. A sponsor c T
is the person in charge of setting up Watt Watchers and
keeping it operating in your school. h S
wattwatchers.utep.edu

Recycled Watts News Recycled!
(we hope)
Watts News is printed on 40% recycled con-
tent newsprint. So it’s been recycled once already.
That’s about all we can do as publishers. Once we
mail it — it’s out of our hands — and into yours.
But, you can take the concept of recycling a
couple of steps further:
1) Re-recycle Watts News by passing it on to
someone else to read.
2) Likewise, encourage them to pass it on.
This not only recycles the paper but also creates the
possibility that another school may become a Watt
Watchers school, helping to save more energy and
cut more pollution.
3) When the paper has had it — use it for
something else. Here are a few suggestions: line a
bird cage, make papier mache, make paper hats, it
makes really cool gift wrap, or great packing mate-
rial, etc. You can probably think of lots of other uses.
Just refuse to throw it away.
4) Ultimately, take it to a recycling plant and
let someone else use it ONE MORE TIME! Who
knows, maybe our printer will someday buy the pa-
per you recycled and we will print another issue of
Watts News on it. And then, once more, you can re-
re-recycle it...... again. That would really close the
cycle.
Watt Watchers of Texas
The Energy Center
University of Texas at El Paso
P.O. Box 68660
El Paso, Texas 79968
TO:
http://wattwatchers.utep.edu
1-888-US WATTS
Enrollment Form Date: ________
Watt Watchers of Texas
1-888-US WATTS (1-888-879-2887)
P.O.Box 68660, El Paso, Texas 79968 Fax: 1-888-879-2887 e-mail: watts@utep.edu
http://wattwatchers.utep.edu
Your Name: ________________________________________________
School Name: ______________________________________________
School Address: _____________________________________________
(Free kit will be shipped to your school / Street address preferred)
City: ______________________ Zip: _____ - ____ County: ______
School Phone: ( ) ____ - ______ School Fax: ( ) ____ - ______
Best Time to Call: _______ Number of Students in your school: ___
Name of School District: ____________________________________
Your e-mail address: _________________________________________
Energy Manager for your ISD: _________________________________
source: F99 event: nl shp kit: ___ indB: ___
Watt Watchers is a free, state sponsored project to help
Don’t Mess
school districts save energy dollars. Watt Watchers also
provides an enrichment experience for students. Hundreds
of schools across Texas have already enrolled in the pro-
with
gram and are saving energy, cutting pollution and saving
money for their school districts. Texas
You can join today by filling in the enrollment form above
and mailing, faxing, e-mailing , or phoning it in to us. The
program is free for Texas schools.
Our goal is to provide free kits to every enrolling school.
Each kit contains four notebooks with color inserts, Lan-
yards and color name badges, pencils, forms and sample
tickets, a how-to manual, and a light bulb pencil for the
sponsor. We also provide free telephone support, a website,
and newsletters.
Turn Out
the Lights !