AGO posts biggest savings in power use

The Executive Branch said yesterday that the government has reduced its power consumption expenditure by 10 percent in June this year, translating to some $82,847 in savings.

Based on a list presented in yesterday’s Cabinet Meeting at the Governor’s Office, the government paid $797,537 for electricity in May 2005. In June, the power billing was down to $714,690.

The list showed that the Attorney General’s Office made the biggest reduction of 34 percent from the May billing, which translates to $1,950 in savings.

The Washington Resident Office recorded a 33-percent reduction, or $259 savings.

In terms of money, the Department of Public Health made the biggest savings of $29,350 or a 19-percent reduction from its May billing, while Public School System ranked second with $29,131 in savings, posting a 10-percent decline.

Other agencies with the highest reduction in power billing are:
– 18 percent, Judicial Branch (with $7,387 savings)
– 14 percent, Commerce ($488)
– 12 percent, Governor’s Office ($5,240)
– 11 percent, Legislative Branch ($503)
– 9 percent, Public Safety ($4,597)
– 7 percent, Northern Islands Municipality ($63)
– 6 percent, Northern Marianas College ($2,222)
– 6 percent, Corrections ($410)
– 6 percent, Tinian Municipality ($518)
– 5 percent, Finance ($1,091)
– 2 percent, Community and Cultural Affairs ($513)
Agencies that showed increased spending for power are:
– Labor, 37 percent more ($446)
– Rota Municipality, 20 percent more ($1,078)
– Lands and Natural Resources, 10 percent more ($1,117)
– Saipan Municipality, 3 percent more ($58).

Press Secretary Pete A. Callaghan said that, in the face of the current power crisis, the government is initiating an incentive program to encourage the public to conserve energy.

He said the government will be partnering with Ace Hardware and YCO Hardware for the sale of energy saving light bulbs at 25 percent off.

He said customers who buy two bulbs will get a third one for free.

This is part of a four-point conservation plan that the administration aims to implement. This plan includes metering all unmetered government building, distribution of utility bills to each agency beginning fiscal year 2006 or Oct. 1 this year, active conservation measures in government, and public conservation.

In government, the administration is asking all offices to turn off all lights, air conditioners, computers, and other electrical equipment at the end of work day, “except where security or need to protect sensitive equipment is at issue.”

If a government office is observed with lights or air-conditioners on after office hours, a person can call 322-8004 or the Emergency Management Office, which will then alert the head of the department.

Authorities will appoint energy conservation point people for each Executive Branch department.

Figures show that the government has so far spent over $10 million for utilities in the current fiscal year. The government is only allotted $5 million a year for utilities under the continuing resolution.