STAR-BULLETIN / 2001 The state Capitol is one of 11 buildings across the state that will be studied to determine whether electrical costs can be reduced.

State pursues energy savings

Eleven buildings across the state will be studied to determine whether electrical costs can be reduced through conservation or swapping out older equipment for newer, more energy-efficient products, state agencies announced yesterday.

The "retrocommissioning" also aims to improve occupant comfort, extend equipment service life and reliability, and reduce the volume of emergency or trouble calls for maintenance staff, according to a news release.

"We view this as part of the state's desire to lead by example in the areas of both energy conservation and energy production," said Ted Liu, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which is conducting the review along with the Department of Accounting and General Services.

The 11 buildings contain more than 1.4 million square feet of space and consume about 33 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, the agencies said. Operating costs range from $2.50 to $6.27 per square foot per year.

Among the buildings to be studied is the state Capitol. A recent energy audit revealed electricity use could be reduced by making improvements in lighting, air conditioning and motors.

The state needed an emergency appropriation of $626,000 last year to meet an increase in energy costs.

Officials said then that the state's monthly electricity bill for buildings operated by the Department of Accounting and General services has increased 33 percent since fiscal year 2005, going from $460,000 a month to $614,000.