Kentucky State Buildings Undergo Energy Audit

From Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeighThe world’s largest retailer is helping 20 states, including Kentucky, find ways to trim energy costs.Wal-Mart Corporation energy auditor Jim Stanway has been poking around five state buildings in Frankfort, including the Old and New State Capitols, looking for ways to cut energy costs. He’s checking heating and cooling systems, refrigeration equipment, windows, doors and lighting."People don’t think about the lights if they’re on," says Stanway. "But when you start looking at, when you have a window, maybe you can have a system that turns that light off. You change the type of fluorescent lighting you’re using, you can cut your energy consumption by about 40 to 50-percent."The energy audits are free, as part of the Greening State Capitols program. That’s a partnership between Wal-Mart and the National Governor’s Association. In a few weeks, Stanway will send state officials a report on his findings, with recommendations for improvements.