By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-821458.mp3
Frankfort, KY – State-owned facilities operated by the Finance Cabinet are being ordered to set back their use of lighting, heating and air conditioning systems on nights and weekends. Governor Beshear says the move should reduce energy consumption by 24-percent and save around two-million dollars a year. He says even bigger savings can be realized if other public agencies receiving taxpayer funds do the same thing. "We think enough public buildings could do this that the savings could surpass a 100-million dollars a year."
A second initiative requires new public facilities or renovations to existing facilities, built with 50-percent or more of state funds, be designed to nationally required energy efficiency standards. The new regulations, which were developed over the last six months, are based in part on legislation approved by the 2008 General Assembly.