Group promotes wiser use of energy

A local organization that has been promoting a compact fluorescent light bulb giveaway in Spokane neighborhoods this summer has just started its efforts to call attention to the need for wiser use of energy.

The Northwest Climate Change Center in Spokane was formed a year ago to tackle the interrelated problems of excessive energy consumption and the buildup of atmospheric greenhouse gases from burning of fossil fuels, which threatens to cause catastrophic global warming.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use a quarter the energy of an incandescent light bulb, have been handed out at churches, fire stations and neighborhood meetings in recent weeks. Recipients must turn in a regular light bulb to receive the fluorescent lamp. Avista is involved.

In addition to the light-bulb giveaway, the founders of the center have been meeting with business leaders to promote the need to save energy, especially in construction and retrofitting of buildings.

The goal of the organization is to “take it down to the neighborhood level,” said Ron Reed, a founding member of the center. Reed is founder and CEO of PacifiCAD, a software firm that enables builders, architects, and engineers to use green building practices.

The center has ambitious plans for engaging people in the region in efforts to use energy wisely. Among its work is to offer consulting help to reduce energy consumption.

“We will showcase best practices in the region in our presentations, conferences, Web site and regional media,” according to the center’s statement of principles and goals.

Melissa Ahern, an associate professor at Washington State University Spokane, said rising energy costs are an outgrowth of excessive energy consumption, which threatens the climate. “Energy costs are not going to go down,” she said.

By making the link between wasteful energy consumption and the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the center hopes to encourage more sustainable practices.

“We are engaging the neighborhoods to understand energy,” Ahern said.

Reed said, “That’s how change takes place, at the grass-roots level.”