, St. Lucie work to conserve energy

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, St. Lucie work to conserve energy

By Jim Ash, S.V. Date

Palm Beach Post Staff Writers

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/local_news/epaper/2005/

09/02/m1d_tcconserve_0902.html

Friday, September 02, 2005

Government offices statewide are raising their thermostats to 78

degrees, and some are shutting off air conditioning during nights

and weekends, a response to Hurricane Katrina and its devastating

effects on the nation's energy supply.

Gov. Jeb Bush on Thursday urged all Floridians to conserve gasoline

and other fuels as a way to get through the current problems in

gasoline and natural gas production. He said Florida typically uses

23 million gallons of gas a day, which should mean that the 148

million gallons currently on hand around the state should be enough

for nearly a week — unless people start hoarding.

Bush said state government would set an example by having employees

eliminate unnecessary car trips, turn off unneeded electric

appliances and lights, and turn air-conditioning thermostats to

higher settings.

" For the foreseeable short term, we must conserve gasoline and

electricity, and it needs to a shared sacrifice by all Floridians, "

he said.

But turning off air conditioners in steamy summer conditions can

lead to mold problems that County has had plenty of

experience with in the past.

It took all of 15 minutes for officials at the County

Courthouse to receive worried responses from top administrators

after word of the conservation measures went out Thursday morning.

" All A.C. will be turned off at night and on weekends!!! Not a good

move. Mold, " wrote one of County Clerk Marsha Ewing's top

assistants.

But the veteran workers at the courthouse, who remember the dark

days of sick-building syndrome that led to the gutting and

reconstruction of the courthouse, can breathe easier.

" It's our intent to turn HVAC equipment off in those buildings where

it is possible to do so without consequence, " Harold Markey, general

services manager, reassured Ewing on Thursday.

Ewing said she received quick assurances from Markey that the

conservation measures would not apply to the courthouse complex and

other large buildings susceptible to health problems.

The courthouse complex gained national notoriety when it was closed

in the early 1990s after moisture and air-conditioning problems

caused severe mold that made employees sick. Markey was around

during the $27 million sick-building repairs and was called in to

monitor ceiling leaks in some courtrooms in June.

Following Bush's comments, Treasure Coast Chief Circuit Judge

Roby received a plea from Florida Supreme Court Chief

Justice Barbara Pariente calling for conservation measures in the

state's courthouses.

However, Roby said he wanted to consult with maintenance experts

before attempting to do anything that would risk bringing back the

moldy conditions.

In St. Lucie County, spokeswoman Linette Trabulsy said, " We're

setting thermostats to 78 in all county buildings with rare

exceptions. "

St. Lucie County employees also will no longer be allowed to take

county cars home, effective today. The county is curtailing travel

and is encouraging employees to carpool whenever possible, Trabulsy

said.

A task force is being set up to recommend short-term and long-term

conservation measures for the county, she said.

County leaders also decided to turn off water heaters and

limit use of outdoor lighting. County vehicles will be used only for

the highest priorities, and even fire-rescue crews have been told to

cut back on driving.

" Unless there's an emergency response, then they don't leave, "

Emergency Services Director Steve Wolfberg said.

Emergency vehicles also are using fuel with a higher sulfur content,

Wolfberg said.

County issued a news release asking residents to conserve

energy by limiting use of appliances, carpooling and removing extra

weight from their cars, among other suggestions.

St. Lucie County Administrator Doug told employees last

week not to run their trucks' air conditioning when stopped at a job

site.

A company that provides temporary labor for the county's road and

bridge department had complained about a supervisor sitting in air-

conditioned truck while refusing to let a man take a break after he

cut down a tree.