Indiana Energy Forum at Pudue Calumet

NEWS RELEASE:

Originally posted at http://www.calumet.purdue.edu/news/releases/08-10-17_energy_wbez_forum.html

Indiana energy needs focus of WBEZ/Chicago Matters public forum, Oct. 28

Purdue University Calumet is hosting a Community Forum, focusing on Indiana’s energy needs and sponsored by Chicago Public Radio Station WBEZ (91.5 fm) and Chicago Matters: Growing Forward series, Tuesday, Oct. 28.

The hour-long forum begins at 6 p.m. in The Calumet Conference Center, located at the far south end of the Purdue Calumet campus. It will be broadcast live on WBEZ. A pre-broadcast reception starts at 5 p.m.

During the forum, Chicago Public Radio’s Gabriel Spitzer and northwest Indiana reporter Michael Puente will discuss the state of Indiana energy and related needs with Purdue University Professor of Agricultural Economics Otto Doering; Indiana Center for Coal Technology Research Director Marty Irwin; Hoosier Environmental Council Executive Director Jesse Kharbanda; and Celina Weatherwax, director of the Northwest Indiana Office of Indiana Senator Richard Lugar.

"We're excited to invite the public to an open forum to discuss Indiana's energy needs," said Sally Eisele, managing editor of public affairs for Chicago Public Radio. "Here's a great opportunity to get your questions answered by our local reporters, as well as policy makers, business leaders and environmentalists."

The event is free, but attendees are asked to RSVP to secure a seat for the broadcast by contacting Chicago Public Radio’s Alexandra Salomon at asalomon@chicagopublicradio.org or by phoning 312/893-2929.

News Release Date: October 17, 2008

This month our meetings will be on Thursday, October 16.

This month we are promoting membership and encouraging people to sign up. I have attached the standard and student member applications. Please bring a friend who may be interested in signing up. Please see ASHRAE's membership page for more information. If you are already a member, please consider upgrading your membership if you haven't done so already!

Daniel Harris, Technical Manager of Dadanco, will be presenting on Chilled Beam technology. This has been popular around the world as an alternative form of cooling from typical mixing ventilation. It is an up and coming technology here in the United States with potential green applications.

Daniel Harris graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2002 with an Honors Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation, he joined BESTEC, the largest consulting engineering company in South Australia and held the position of Senior Mechanical Engineer within 3 years. Daniel worked on many high profile projects and designed a number of projects with Active Chilled Beams.

In 2005, Daniel joined Dadanco in the role of Technical Manager and was responsible for all engineering departments and projects throughout Oceania, Europe and the Americas. Daniel has a keen interest in projects that utilize new technology and has worked in developing new and improved products with Dadanco with an emphasis on energy and cost reduction.

Dadanco Pty Ltd, headquartered in Adelaide, Australia, is the leading manufacturer of active chilled beams in Australia. In mid-2007 Mestek and Dadanco formed a joint venture to produce active chilled beams, induction diffusers and induction units for the North and South American markets. The products are produced in the USA in Mestek’s manufacturing facility in Wyalusing, PA. Daniel holds the position of Director of Engineering with the Dadanco LLC joint venture and oversees all of the engineering, technical decisions and manufacturing partner relationship.

Daniel is an accredited professional in the Australian equivalent of LEED (Green Building Council of Australia) and has worked on many green certified projects that utilize energy efficient HVAC technologies. Daniel and his wife, Iluka and daughter Keala, reside in Westfield, MA.

Anyone may come and attend our meetings. They are not exclusive to members. Please invite anyone who may be interested.

Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 14

Lunch Meeting
Cost: $15 (includes lunch & drinks)
Check-in: 11:30 am - Noon EDT
Lunch/Program: Noon - 1:00 pm EDT

Tippecanoe Place
620 W. Washington St.
South Bend, IN

Dinner Meeting
Cost: $20
Check-in: 5:30 pm - 6:00 CDT
Dinner/Program: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm CDT

Margaritas Bar & Grill
19606 Burnham Ave
Lynwood, IL 60411

Congress Extends Energy Tax Incentives through Economic Recovery Package

For Release:
October 6, 2008

Contact: Wendy Angel
Public Relations
678-539-1216
wangel@ashrae.org

Congress Extends Energy Tax Incentives through Economic Recovery Package

ATLANTA – With the passage of the economic recovery package by Congress last week, banks aren’t the only ones relieved; proponents of energy efficiency efforts are as well.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) commends Congress on including in the package provisions for the extension of expired and expiring tax incentives for renewable energy, energy-efficient building upgrades, and appliance and equipment purchases.

“These energy provisions are essential to realizing ASHRAE’s goal of reaching net-zero-energy buildings,” says Bill Harrison, ASHRAE president. “But more importantly, they are essential for the energy independence of our nation. While the banking industry may be visibly suffering now due to these economic times, we will all suffer if we don’t find ways to take advantage of alternative energy sources and make our buildings more efficient.”

Though several attempts were made during the 110th Congress to extend these credits and incentives, those attempts failed due to disagreement over funding issues.

One key provision in the legislation is the extension of the Commercial Building Tax Deduction (CBTD) through 2013. This allows building owners to claim a deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot for HVAC, lighting or envelope upgrades resulting in 50% savings over ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2001. This five-year extension allows for the planning schedules often needed in design and construction, whereas the provision previously was only certain for shorter periods, affecting its usefulness.

The legislation additionally creates new credits for combined heat and power system property, small wind energy property, and geothermal heat pump systems through 2016.

Other energy provisions in the legislation include:

• Extending the Renewable Energy Production Credit for wind to 2010, biomass, geothermal, solar and hydro to 2011, and adds a marine/tidal credit through 2012.

• Extending credits for solar energy property, fuel cell property and microturbines through 2016.

• Establishing provisions for Energy Conservation Bonds issued by states or localities to conduct energy conservation projects

• Extending residential tax credits for energy saving appliances, energy efficient homes, and on-site renewables.

• Adding accelerated depreciation period for smart meters and smart grid systems, encouraging investment in these systems.

• Extending a program providing tax-exempt bond designation to designated green building and sustainable design projects on brownfields.

• Extending the expired business research credit through 2009.

For more information on ASHRAE Government Affairs, please visit www.ashrae.org/advocacy.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.