By Karen Garcia
A statewide energy efficiency expert recently met with local businesses hoping to get a few pointers on how to cut down on their energy bills.
Shaina Kilcoyne, energy efficiency director with the nonprofit Renewable Energy Alaska Project, met with owners of the Bamboo Room, Radio Shack, Chilkat Bakery and Dejon Delights to talk about how to implement low and no-cost energy-saving measures, get an energy audit and compare energy usage to similar buildings in the region.
It was Kilcoyne’s first trip to Haines, but she intends to make another this winter. This trip was to gauge the needs of businesses in Haines.
“I’m starting with the low-hanging fruit. Incandescent bulbs are an easy thing to switch,” Kilcoyne said.
Southeast Conference energy coordinator Robert Venables asked Kilcoyne to come and talk to local businesses, as energy costs are often cited as one of the biggest burdens for new and existing businesses.
“It’s a burden to expanding and hiring people. It makes it hard to stay open in the winter,” Kilcoyne said.
On her initial visit, Kilcoyne focused on small changes businesses could make to save money, like installing programmable thermostats or motion sensor lights in restrooms. If businesses are interested in more extensive investments like retrofitting or weatherizing buildings, Kilcoyne can set up business owners with those experts.
She can also help businesses find loan programs for energy efficiency projects.
One business Kilcoyne said she was impressed with was the Port Chilkoot Distillery, which recently retrofitted an old building in Fort Seward. “It seems like they are pretty tight. They’ve got their bills under control,” she said.
Kilcoyne is looking to hear from other businesses interested in cutting down their energy bills. Contact her at 907-331-7409 or [email protected].