The September edition of the NEEC News made mention of The Energy Trust of Oregon’s notable success in the industrial sector. The article attributed this success to “the program innovation of using a strategic energy management/continuous improvement approach has turned a sector historically known for its lack of participation in energy efficiency programs into a significant contributor to overall ETO savings goals.” Fred Gordon of the Trust sent a note in response providing some clarification –
“Only a minor correction. We have achieved significant savings with an approach focused more on capital improvements for years. The SEM approach has blossomed over the last 2-3 years. It has helped us keep industry moving on the efficiency path in times of capital shortage, and is allowing us to continue to increase our overall savings in hard times. Capital improvements for efficiency are still important, SEM both helps customers pull together their efficiency strategy for capital AND O&M, AND adds the O&M component in a measureable way.”