Blogs

It seems that in these times, more than in the past, everyone is juggling many balls at once. We're all working on various projects, plus dealing with LEED^® certification issues and climate legislation pressures. Yet, as busy as we are, we need more than ever to step up and make a difference to advance our industry and our association.

While those of us at state institutions are unable to get involved in the legislative process, we can help it along by being positive examples of what can be accomplished; if we get an opportunity to share what we have done, we need to do so. The rest of our members need to take advantage of what may be unprecedented opportunities to further the industry - and ultimately benefit themselves - by conveying district energy's many economic and environmental benefits while energy and climate issues are on everyone's radar.

Those of you who can get involved in the legislative process need to be visible and participate, by contacting your members of Congress and responding to IDEA's legislative alerts, for example. Our president, Rob Thornton, and others are actively involved in increasing the 'uncovered threshold' for combined heat and power and explaining to lawmakers how CHP/district energy can be used as a climate mitigation tool. But they can only do so much. Rob will soon be suggesting new ways IDEA members can help the effort. I continue to be optimistic about our future, but we all need to capitalize on the current national discussion on climate change solutions.

There are so many opportunities to help in "Creating an Efficient Energy Future" - my theme for the year. Energy efficiency also happens to be featured in this issue of District Energy, in articles talking about biomass fuel advances employed in British Columbia, the importance of commissioning of plants and how all-variable-speed loops provide a competitive advantage. In this issue we also debut a new column, "From a Legal Perspective." The first edition of the column discusses tax incentives available for public institutions. You'll want to check it out! I continue to be impressed with the quality content and look of our magazine, and I value the insights and industry experience IDEA members continue to share through interesting and informative articles. If you've never contributed an article, I encourage you to consider doing so.

Creating an efficient energy future is challenged by the need to enhance energy security while slowing climate change, especially as we try to strengthen the economy. But I know that IDEA members are ready to meet the challenge. When things get this hectic, we need to be the steadying, calming and comforting force to lead the way to a better energy future; if any of us lacks the in-house expertise to do this, we can rely on other IDEA members to provide the help we need. This can all happen synergistically, enabling us to achieve a positive energy future using proven, off-the-shelf technology.

Times are no less challenging beyond the United States. Economic woes and climate change affect countries worldwide, including in the Middle East, site of IDEA's Fourth International District Cooling Conference & Trade Show that was held Oct. 11–13 in Dubai. While the district energy industry in the Middle East faces many unique challenges in terms of growth, weather, and plant operation and maintenance, I contend that we all have much in common - and much knowledge and experience to exchange in gatherings such as this conference.

For much of the year, for example, the weather in parts of the southwestern and central United States is similar to that of the Middle East. In addition, with a slowdown of development, systems everywhere have had to reduce costs by right-sizing their organizations, reducing water consumption, training personnel and squeezing out efficiency to deal with utility and budget shortages. As attendees at the Dubai conference saw firsthand, we all can benefit, all regions learning from each other.

But the conference is just one example of what's happening at IDEA. There are many balls to juggle on behalf of the organization, and I am very excited to be working with President Thornton and the board to make things happen. We have our work cut out for us - making more Capitol Hill visits to explain and reinforce the positive difference CHP and district energy can make for our nation. But we also need ongoing feedback from you, our members, on any new issues you believe the organization should address so that we can continue moving forward to support you.

Help us help you — by taking the initiative to contact the board if you want to contribute to the organization via presentations, sponsorships, board interest or anything else. I look forward to continuing to serve you as your chairman.