[StBernard] U.S. Secretary of Energy Recognizes LRA for Promoting Energy Efficiency in Louisiana

[Westley Annis]

U.S. Secretary of Energy Recognizes LRA for Promoting Energy Efficiency in Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS (August 8, 2007)-Today U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman recognized the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) and the Louisiana Department of Education's Recovery School District (RSD) for its efforts to promote energy efficiency in Louisiana. Chair of the LRA's Long Term Planning Task Force Donna Fraiche, Board Member John Brewster and Executive Director Andy Kopplin attended the event and received an award on behalf of the LRA this morning. As New Orleans and the Gulf Coast recover after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the U.S. Department of Energy has made a commitment to partner with city, state and other organizations to incorporate cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy into the rebuilding effort. 

"The chance to rebuild much of the physical infrastructure that has been lost, puts New Orleans in a position to lead in many new areas, with improved designs and better technologies," Secretary Bodman said. "I applaud the Louisiana Recovery Authority for its commitment to promoting energy efficiency at a time when rebuilding with the safest, most cost-effective and durable technologies is so critical."

In December, 2005, Louisiana adopted the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code to help its citizens realize the benefits of incorporating energy efficiency into buildings. The LRA partnered with Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and FEMA to provide $14 million to help local governments implement the new statewide building codes. It also joined the Louisiana legislature in committing an additional $11.4 million in federal recovery dollars for this purpose. Together, these funds will be used to train local building code enforcement officials, and establish local code offices.

The LRA was also recognized for its long-term planning initiative, Louisiana Speaks. Through this initiative, champions across South Louisiana worked with nationally renowned planners from Urban Design Associates to develop the Louisiana Speaks Patten Book and Planning Toolkit. Together these resources document South Louisiana's unique architecture while offering best practices and techniques for rebuilding in ways that are efficient and durable. The Louisiana Speaks "Pattern Book" features many of the core messages of the DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Buildings Technology Program, which include systems design, efficient heating and air conditioning systems, passive heating and cooling, EnergyStar appliances, efficient lighting, good insulation, and efficient water heating. Because of its unique design and commitment to energy efficiency, the Louisiana Speaks Pattern Book received the 2007 Charter Award, an annual prize awarded by ! the Congress for New Urbanism honoring projects around the world that promote walkable, neighborhood development as an alternative to urban sprawl. Through the efforts of the Center for Planning Excellence, more than 75,000 books have been distributed free-of-charge to homeowners, developers, architects and planning officials across Louisiana. 

Secretary Bodman also recognized leaders from Louisiana Department of Education's Recovery School District for participating in the DOE's Energy Smart Schools Program, which is helping to rebuild new schools and renovate existing schools in the most efficient way possible. The event, which was held at A.P. Capdau Charter School in New Orleans, also highlighted DOE's partnership with Entergy in the New Orleans Solar Schools Initiative. Under this initiative, four schools selected by Entergy will receive 25-kW solar photovoltaic systems. To maximize the solar energy produced by these systems, DOE will commission comprehensive energy audits on three of these schools. 

To learn more about DOE's efforts to promote energy efficiency visit www.energy.gov <http://keelson.eatel.net/websites/la.gov/action.cfm?md=communication&task=addClick&msg_ID=4227&ID=d%2Diue0iNnYne&redirect=http://www.energy.gov>  

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana. To learn more, visit www.lra.louisiana.gov <http://www.lra.louisiana.gov> .

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