Testimony of Jim Dollard, Safety Coordinator for IBEW Local 98

Good Afternoon. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony at today’s hearing on alternative fuels and new energy technology.

My name is Jim Dollard. I am the Safety Coordinator for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 98 of Philadelphia. IBEW Local 98 consists of approximately 4,000 members providing the region with the best trained electricians and telecommunications technicians available. We have a complete understanding of electrical systems, utilization equipment, distribution methods and generation as well as new energy technologies. The IBEW plays a major role in the development and modification of electrical codes and standards. These codes and standards play a significant role in the application of new energy technologies in the private sector. Local 98 provides the best trained workforce available due to our dedication to training and our commitment to continuing education. In the words of our Business Manager John Dougherty "Training for the future is not an option, it is a requirement."

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 98 of Philadelphia supports the development of policies and strategies in Pennsylvania to promote the use of alternative fuels and new energy technologies. The use of clean, efficient, energy power generating sources and alternative fuels will provide a cleaner environment, create economic growth, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. We also support the implementation of existing technologies to reduce energy consumption throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our background as installers of all types and sizes of electrical systems in this region allows us to fully understand the potential energy reduction which can be achieved through modification of existing electrical systems.

Our area of expertise is in the electrical field and not alternative fuels. For that reason, we will focus on new energy technologies and methods to conserve energy in existing electrical systems.

GENERATION

Utility generation of electrical energy today in Pennsylvania consists primarily of nuclear and coal fired generating stations. Where energy is generated for private consumption for emergency, legally required or optional standby systems, diesel fuel and gasoline are used to power onsite generators.

Wind Energy

Wind energy is a tremendous new source of electrical power in Pennsylvania. Throughout the state one can see the groups of tall wind generators turning slowly in the breeze to provide clean renewable energy, as long as there is a breeze they are generating power for thousands of homes. We believe that wind power can play a far more significant role. Wind power can be harvested throughout the state by utilities or private operators generating power for the utilities. We believe that incentives should be given to the public to install wind power privately for sale to the utilities through grid tie systems. This would encourage the business community including both commercial and industrial users to consider installing wind generators. In some suburban and rural areas, property owners and farmers could also take advantage of incentives to install wind generators. While these systems may not be large, together they could provide a substantial amount of energy on the utility grid or they could be used in hybrid systems combined with solar energy and battery storage for onsite power consumption. Local building codes may need to be modified to permit wind generators in limited numbers in all areas of the state.

Solar

Solar energy has a bright future in Pennsylvania. We believe that the solar market will be primarily in the private sector. These systems may be installed with a grid tie inverter or used to supply onsite utilization equipment and battery storage. Solar systems do not need the tall poles required to get a wind generator high enough to be productive. Solar systems can be installed on all flat rooftops. Industrial and commercial properties throughout the state will invest in small to large solar systems provided that there is an incentive to get them started. There are tens of thousands of acres of rooftops which can be used to stage solar systems. The residential market could be incredibly large. With the proper incentives home owners will install systems with battery storage dedicated to specific loads within the household.

Fuel Cells

Fuel cells convert fuel to energy through an electro-chemical process which is clean, quiet and highly efficient. Fuel cells are far more efficient and cleaner than a diesel or gasoline powered generator and they also eliminate noise pollution created with generators. Fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. The only by-products are water and heat. These highly efficient devices can be used with natural gas as a fuel source. We believe that fuel cells can be employed to eliminate diesel and gasoline generators. Fuel cells are far more efficient, silent and reduce air pollution significantly. We believe that incentives should be given to the business community as well as to homeowners to use fuel cell technology instead of generators. With global warming upon us the country is seeing new weather trends including ice storms which render hundreds of thousands of electrical customers without power. Summer storms also create numerous outages. The business community as well as the private sector is beginning to invest in onsite generators for an alternate source of power. Incentives to use fuel cells instead of generators would tremendously reduce air and noise pollution as well to provide more efficient use of fuel.

CONSERVATION

Energy Management Systems

We believe that there is tremendous potential for conserving electrical energy throughout the state of Pennsylvania through energy management systems. All industrial, commercial, institutional and dwelling occupancies can conserve energy through proper management. Managing energy use is a site specific task and may include everything from complex energy management systems in a high rise building to lighting timers, motion snnsors and programmable thermostats for dwelling units. Providing incentives to the business community to manage energy within their control will conserve tremendous amounts of energy. Incentives should be given to all homeowners in the state to replace all standard incandescent light bulbs with the compact fluorescent type. Compact fluorescent lamps use 1/3 of the energy of an incandescent lamp and last up to ten times longer.

Peak Demand

Peak demand systems can be installed in all types of occupancies. Large commercial and industrial occupancies can save tremendous amounts of energy in cooling costs by creating ice during off peak hours and using the ice to provide air conditioning during times of peak demand. Water can be heated in off peak hours and stored for use in heating systems during times of peak load. Incentives can be given to large industrial and commercial users as well as the private sector to go offline during times of peak demand and generate their own power through standard diesel generators or energy efficient and clean fuel cells.

Lighting Retrofits

Large commercial and industrial users should be given incentives to investigate and retrofit existing lighting systems. A tremendous amount of energy can be conserved in a single commercial occupancy when energy efficient lighting is installed.

CODES and STANDARDS

IBEW Local 98 works diligently in the NFPA consensus process and product standards to develop and modify codes and standards to allow new technologies to enter the market providing cleaner more efficient sources of power. We play a significant role in the development of NFPA 70 the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70E The Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace and we are on the Underwriters Laboratories Electrical Council.

Thank you for the opportunity to present our comments. We support the Governor’s Energy Independence Strategy. We will assist in any way possible.