Published Quarterly by The

Energy Center, The University

of Texas at El Paso
Sponsored by the Texas
Comptroller of Public
Accounts - State Energy

r Issue: Conservation Office,

me anagers
and the United States

Sum Department of Energy

The Newspaper for Watt Watchers and Watteam.
ergy M Volume 9 Number 2

Now incorporating WATTimes and the Texas School Energy Manager News. En Summer 2005

Twentieth Anniversary of
Watt Watchers in Texas WATTS INSIDE
Watts Across Texas A-2

W
att Watchers was race with various groups and Transmission Line A-3
first implemented individuals running a leg of Just Turn It Off
in Texas 20 years the race. The mainstay of – Lesson Plan A-4
ago! In 1985 a Watt Watchers the program has been the
Pull Out Posters A-5 - A-8
program was piloted through State Energy Conservation
the Region IV Education Office and it’s forerunners. WW Program News A-9 - A-10
Service Center in Houston. As SECO has a comprehensive
Watt Watchers
a result, the Galveston ISD energy education outreach in Your District A-12
reduced their electric bill by program that includes Watt
Watchers. SECO has Back To School
$25,000 a year. Ever since this Campaign B-1
pilot program there have been consistently supported this
dedicated teachers and simple idea that really works Traveling Energy
— help schools save energy Exploration Stations B-2
students watching watts
across Texas. and money by getting Remember:
students involved. Turn It Off B-4
Soon after this initial success
a Watt Watcher program was Without the thousands of Clean Cities Awards B-5
established through a contract dedicated Watt Watchers Electrifying Extras B-6
with U.T. Permian Basin that sponsors and their students
expanded to include over 160 there could be no Watt Watt’s Going On? B-7
school districts throughout Watchers program. This 20th
Texas by 1993. And today, the year is dedicated to all the
program reaches into over teachers and students that
3,000 classrooms in over make Watt Watchers
2,300 schools throughout the possible. Your efforts add up
state.
No one group can take all the
credit for the success of Watt
Watchers. It has been a relay

to a huge
difference for our
world. Thank you!
Twenty years of
excellent work is
quite an
accomplishment. Pearland High School Students Amanda Lefevre, Sarah Grote and
Congratulations Sommer Smith make ‘trees’ from recycled paper at their Earth
Day fair sponsored by the ecology Club. WATTEAM was a
participant too.

Joshua Schuetz, Ashley Owen and Noel Quijano (l to r) are

on patrol at Frazier Elementary, Comal County. continues on page 12

New Watt Watcher Program Manual

Attention all Watt Watchers — It’s here! – you now have a
new, updated, and expanded program manual. Y’all should
have received yours in the mail already. Everyone on our
mailing list got one. And that’s quite a few – did you know
there are over 3,000 other Watt Watchers all across Texas
these days?
It’s “purty,” too—down right beautiful some would say. Not
only does it have a zippy, glossy, color cover — it is also full
of illustrations that liven up your browsing. You can copy
directly from the pages if you need a form in a hurry but
remember you can still print from the CD-ROM for the highest
quality.
Maybe the best thing about the new manual is that it brings
everything together all in one spot. Just flip to the table of
contents and you will find basic information on how to start a
Watt Watchers patrol, ideas for
extending and expanding your energy
savings program, plus all the forms, and
some inspiration, too. We tried to make it
comprehensive. That is why it is 80 pages
long! However, we want your feedback so
we can improve it when we re-print next year.
Another handy feature of the new manual is
that it comes in a hard copy format. No firing
up the computer, searching, and printing. You
can flip through it at your leisure anywhere and
anytime. Of course, the manual will continue to
be available on-line and on the Watt Watchers CD-
ROM and we will update it there between printings.
We kept the printing costs low so everyone can have
one. We hope you enjoy your copy.
 Energy Education in Texas
Teacher Workshops
W
att Watchers of Texas traveled to four regions All teachers that attended an
this summer to deliver great new tools for Energy Education in Texas
teaching about energy. Teachers learned about Workshop this summer
how to start a Watt Patrol at their school, explore energy have been enrolled in
with Traveling Energy Exploration Stations, add our program and
lessons to their energy unit with the Knowledge is will be
Power Curriculum Supplement, and much more. receiving a
W a t t
Region One hosted two workshops- one in
Wa t c h e r s
Edinburg and one in Zapata. We had a huge
of Texas kit
turnout in this region and even had teachers
at their school
sharing a substitute so they could come over for
this month.
a few hours to learn more. Solar cookers and a
They will also
resource expo with posters, bookmarks, stickers and more
receive a copy of
were the big hit here. The King With the Terrible Temper: K-2
the Program
booklet was revealed at this workshop. This booklet brings a
M a n u a l ,
story and activities about energy conservation and
Knowledge is
efficiency to the lower elementary grades, as told
Power, Watts
through the story of Princess Conserva.
News, and
Region 10 hosted a workshop in Richardson in much more.
June. We had a wide range of teachers here: from
If you are
Pre-K to ninth grade and social studies to art. A
interested in
district Energy Manager even attended to take this
hosting an
information back to the teachers in his district. These
Energy
teachers enjoyed the time diving into the Traveling
Education
Energy Exploration Station boxes and actually doing
the activities Watt Watchers of Texas would be shipping
to them through the Traveling Energy Exploration Stations
program. The teachers spent some time brainstorming
in Texas Teacher
on how to add this to their planned curriculum and when
In-service in your region,
they could fit it in. Many filled out their request forms
please...
before leaving so they could get on the request calendar
early. These teachers also were treated to some brand
new lesson plans that will be added to the Knowledge
is Power Curriculum Supplement this fall. Who’s
Who in Electricity will be a lesson teachers from
elementary to high school will want to do.
Region 17 in Lubbock welcomed Watt Watchers of
Texas back for the second summer in a row. With a full class,
these teachers got a sneak peek at the brand new Watt Watchers
of Texas Program Manual. This manual was
updated this spring and contains everything
you need to know about starting a Watt Patrol
program at your school as well as a wealth of
information about other programs you can add
to make your school more energy efficient. The
manual will substantially increase the
understanding of our program and allow the
teachers to go home feeling more confident about
starting a Watt Watchers
Patrol at their schools.

Region 15 hosted a
workshop in San Angelo in
J u l y. These dedicated teachers
drove in the rain, some for two hours,
to come learn about our energy
efficiency message. The Watt
Watchers of Texas Watt Patrols
segment covers all the steps for setting
up the patrol. Each group learns a task
and then teaches the class. Some
design the patrol and choose students,
some design tickets and thank you
notes, and one group performs the
...contact Kirstin Wilsey at
songs and skits that your class can use
to encourage others to conserve 1-888-WATTEAM.
energy. The teachers from Region 15
went above and beyond with their
2 rendition of “Doo Watt Diddy”. These
enthusiastic teachers will definitely
have successful Watt Patrols this fall.
Section A
THE TRANSMISSION LINE
EPA: Ten U.S. Corporations to
Cut Greenhouse Gases
T
he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
announced last week that 10 corporations in its
Climate Leaders program have set specific goals for
reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. According to EPA,
37 of the 68 companies in the voluntary program have now
set emissions goals that will prevent the equivalent of more
than 8 million metric tons of carbon emissions per year.
Many of the actions companies are taking to reduce their
greenhouse gas emissions involve energy efficiency and
renewable energy. For instance, Xerox Corporation plans
to achieve a 30 percent improvement in energy efficiency
by 2012. Green Mountain Energy Company, a green power
provider, is offsetting its carbon emissions by buying
renewable energy credits, and is also encouraging its
employees to find creative ways to get to work. Exelon
Corporation, an electric utility, plans to increase its use of
renewable energy while undertaking energy efficiency
initiatives across its operations. Meanwhile, General Motors
Corporation (GM), one of the early Climate Leaders partners,
has already achieved its goal: an 11 percent reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions over three years. GM achieved
its goal in part by fueling coal-fired boilers with natural gas
or landfill gas instead. (excerpted from
www.eere.energy.gov/news/)
Don’t It Make My Blue Earth
Brown
Astronauts see widespread
ecological destruction from space
E
nvironmental damage on Earth is clearly visible from
space, reports the crew of the shuttle Discovery.
Chatting from an orbit of 220 miles up with Prime
Minister Junichiro Koizumi and other Japanese officials,
Commander Eileen Collins said that the astronauts could
see widespread erosion and deforestation below. She
described the Earth’s atmosphere as “an eggshell on an
egg, it’s so very thin,” and suggested folks could maybe get
a little more serious about saving the planet. “We would like
to see, from the astronauts’ point of view, people take good
care of the Earth and replace the resources that have been
used,” she said. Koizumi, said to be distracted by a fierce
political battle over privatizing Japan’s postal system, asked
Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi about ... space noodles.
Specifically, noodles prepared in a jellified soup especially
for slurping in zero gravity. Reports indicate that the astro-
pasta was delicious — even if the view left a disturbing
aftertaste. (excerpted from GRIST www.grist.org)
Texas to Hit Renewable
Energy Goal Early
T
exas is expected to meet a 2009 mandate three years
early by sharply increasing the use of renewable
energy to generate electricity.
The Texas electric restructuring law of 1999 required an
additional 2,000 megawatts of renewable generating
capacity in Texas by 2009. Developers have added 1,190
megawatts on-line since the law was passed, and projects
adding 486 megawatts are either under construction or have
been officially announced. Transmission agreements have
been finalized for another 720 megawatts. Developers are
expected to push hard to get new projects on-line by Dec.
31 because federal renewable energy tax incentives expire
at the end of this year.
Renewable energy uses several sources, including wind,
landfill gas, water (hydro), biomass and solar. In Texas, wind
power currently accounts for 96 percent of renewable
generating capacity added since 1999.
At this time most wind generators are located in an area of
west Texas comprising Crane, Crockett, Pecos and Upton
counties. Most of the new and planned projects are in a
corridor about 100 miles wide along I-20 from Abilene to
west of Odessa.
The current law encourages the construction of renewable
energy projects, reduces air pollution from fossil fuel
generation and responds to Texans’ willingness to pay more
for clean energy. However, a key issue in expanding the
use of renewable energy from West Texas is the ability of
the transmission system to move power from generation
sources to customers at a reasonable cost.
Approximately three percent of the state’s total electric
generating capacity comes from renewable energy. In
Texas, a megawatt provides enough electricity for a year
to power three to four hundred homes.
(Excerpted from the Public Utilities Commission of Texas
site http://www.puc.state.tx.us/nrelease/2005/021505.cfm)
E W S IRE
Natural Gas: The “Other” N W
Energy Crisis F T HE
T OF
HO
A
ccording to a report by the American Council for an
Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) it may be
important to watch natural gas prices, too. “ACEEE
keeps its eye on the ball in a new report on the continuing
problems we face in natural gas markets. Gasoline prices
are not the only fuel experiencing price spikes. Natural gas
prices have broken into record territory and are staying
high. Gas futures prices are above more than triple historic
levels, and are expected to stay at least that high for at
least the next four years.”
“We are tracking this trend by updating our 2003
analysis of the effects efficiency investments can have in
bringing down these high market prices. Two years ago, “The U.S. today wrings
we showed that a strong policy commitment to efficiency twice as much work from
could bring down wholesale gas prices about 20% over each barrel of oil as it did
five years. The new report, Impacts of Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy on Natural Gas Markets: Updated
and Expanded Analysis (http://www.aceee.org/pubs/
in 1975; with the latest
proven efficiency
technologies, it can
e052.htm) shows the potential to drop prices up to 37% double oil efficiency all
within 12 months through an aggressive focus on energy over again. The
efficiency and renewable energy. It can be downloaded for investments needed to
free. save each barrel of oil
“These efficiency investments would produce over will cost only $12 (in
$33 billion in savings to natural gas consumers in 2010, 2000 $), less than half the
with a total investment of about $11 billion. These benefits officially forecast $26
stem from both direct savings to customers who invest in price of that barrel in the
efficiency, and from gas price reductions to all customers.” world oil market.”
Winning the Oil
Studies Find More Solar Endgame, 2005.
www.oilendgame.com
Energy Reaching Earth’s
Surface
I
t’s bad news for the planet, but it could be good news
for solar power: more solar energy is now reaching the
surface of the Earth. Although a report in the late 1980s
showed a 4 to 6 percent decline in sunlight between then
and 1960, a new report indicates that the amount of sunlight
has increased about 4 percent in the last 10 years. The
report, co-authored by a scientist from DOE’s Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), does not attribute
a cause to the dimming and brightening, although it lists
aerosols—liquids and solids suspended in the air—and
their effects on cloud formation as possible explanations.
According to PNNL, the brightening effect may accelerate
warming at the surface and unmask the full effect of
greenhouse warming. The report is one of two papers on
the subject that were printed in this week’s Science
magazine, neither of which speculated on the potential
effects on solar power production. See the
The PNNL news fits well with a recent study by NASA’s
Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS), which found
that Earth is currently absorbing more energy than it is
radiating out to space: about 0.85 Watts of energy per
square meter, to be exact. The NASA scientists used global
climate models, ground-based measurements, and satellite
observations to measure the Earth’s energy balance, and
concluded that the oceans are absorbing much of the
excess energy. The authors conclude that since a large
amount of this excess energy is “hiding” in Earth’s oceans,
its full effect on the climate system is still unrealized. 3
(Excerpted from www.eere.energy.gov/news/)
Section A
 JUST TURN IT
Title: Just Turn It Off
Grade Level: K-2
Lesson Overview: Students will learn the importance of
turning off lights, toys, machines and appliances by
investigating battery operated toys and flashlights.
TEKS:
Math: K.11(B), K.13(A,B,C), K.14(A), K.15, 1.8(B), 1.9(A),
1.11(A,B,C,D), 1.12(A), 1.13, 2.10(B),
2.12(A,B,C,D), 2.13(A,B), 2.14
Science: K.1(A,B), K.2(A,B,C,D,E), K.3(A,B,C), K.4(A),
K.5(A), K.6(D,E), 1.1(A,B), 1.2(A,B,C,D,E), 1.3(A,B),
“A scrap-and-replace 1.4(B), 1.6(C,D), 1.7(A), 2.1(A,B), 2.2(A,B,C,D,E),
program can lease or 2.3(A,B,C), 2.4(A), 2.6(A,B), 2.7(A), 2.10(B)
sell super-efficient cars Social Studies: K.13(A,B), K.14(A,B), K.16(A), K.17(A),
to low-income 1.6(B), 1.8(A,B,C), 1.16(A,B,C), 1.18(A), 1.19(A),
Americans—on terms 2.8(A,D), 2.16(A,B), 2.18(A), 2.19(A)
and with fuel bills they ELA: K.1(A,B,C,D), K.2(A), K.3(C), K.4(B), 1.1(A,B,C,D),
can afford—while 1.2(A), 1.3(C), 1.4(B), 2.1(A,B,C,D), 2.2(A), 2.3(C),
scrapping clunkers. This 2.4(A)
makes personal mobility Time: Activity One: 10-15 minutes. Activity Two: 20 minutes
affordable to all, creates on day one then 5-10 minutes a day for the next
a new million-car-a-year several days. Activity Three: 20 minutes.
market for the new Materials: battery operated toy with an on/off switch
efficiency technologies, (something like a moving dog or cat that will be easy
and helps clean our for young students to associate with energy), two
cities’ air.” Winning the matching flashlights, batteries for the flashlights, one
Oil Endgame, 2005. copy of the Just Turn It Off student worksheet per
www.oilendgame.com student
Vocabulary: energy, battery, conserve, electricity
Background: In this lesson, students will discover what
happens to a battery-operated flashlight when it is not turned
off. Students will then extend this context to other household
items such as radios, lights, toys, and videogames. Video
games in particular use little energy per hour when they
are on, but many children do not turn them off when they
are finished, or they play for long amounts of time and this
adds up to lots of energy used. This activity is geared for
4
Section A
OFF
lower elementary, but can be modified very easily for upper
elementary and Junior High.
Young children tend to associate the word energy with
moving around too much (“You have too much energy today.
Please sit still.”). Therefore it is important to help them
understand the greater scope of energy awareness. It is
important for students to see energy transforming devices,
like battery-operated toys, so they can begin to associate
the word energy with power sources and the concept of
conservation.
Setting the Stage:
Set out the battery-operated toy. Turn it on. Ask the students
questions about the toy such as:
What makes it go?
How do we know that?
What would happen if I were to remove the batteries?
What do the batteries give the toy?
What would happen if we just let the toy keep
running?
Turn off the toy and show students the toy is switched off.
Now ask them:
Is it using energy now?
How do you know?
What is energy being used to do?
Activity One:
Have your students answer the following questions. Go
through each question as a class and discuss the opposing
answers without giving a right or wrong correction.
Where do batteries come from?
Do your parents ever have to ask you to turn off
your toys? Why?
Continued on page 11
PROGRAM NEWS
Metroplex Mini CAST
W
e packed up and went to Dallas to spread the
word about Watt Watchers of Texas to the
Metroplex Area Science Teachers on January
29th. Central Junior High was the chosen location for this
’years Metroplex Mini CAST. Teachers filed in and worked
there way around the exhibits and workshops to make the
day a huge success for Watt Watchers of Texas.
Watt Watchers of Texas presented two workshops at the
Mini CAST. The first workshop of the day featured the
Traveling Energy Exploration Stations. The teachers were
so excited about this popular curriculum enhancement!
Watt Watchers of Texas will ship the free hands-on centers
to schools so that teachers can demonstrate lessons on
Renewable Energy, Electricity, Solar Cooking and Junior
Solar Sprint. Watt Watchers pays for the shipping costs
both ways, so there’s no cost to the teachers or the schools.
Requests were received for the stations before we even
got back to the office on Monday!
Next Watt Watchers presented a session on Junior Solar
Sprint, which is sure to draw a crowd because we gave
away free JSS kits to everyone that attended! Building
and racing solar-powered model cars always brings out
the kid in teachers and students alike. This session sparked
great discussions about how the program could be
implemented in the classroom and in science clubs.
Rio Grande Valley Science Association
Annual Conference BEEMS Conference in El Paso
T
he first weekend in February brought the Rio Grande
Valley Science Association conference. Amy Neblett
brought the Watt
Watchers of Texas
message to the
Pharr-San
Juan-Alamo
High School.
Hundreds of
teachers attended
this conference
with over 60
signing up for
free kits and
more information
at the booth or in
c l a s s e s .
Teachers were
very excited
as Amy
unveiled
the new
Renewable
E n e r g y
Traveling Energy Education Station. A few wanted to know
how soon we could get it to their school and if it could ship
the next day. Teachers in this area are very enthusiastic
and ready to start the Watt Watchers of Texas programs
in their schools and bring the message of energy
conservation to their students.
Texas Middle School Association
Conference
W
att Watchers traveled to Corpus Christi February
24-26th for the Annual Texas Middle School
Association Conference. Despite the bad
weather the conference was, as usual, a huge success
for the Watt Watchers of Texas program. We passed out
lots of new flyers, newspapers and eyeball stickers at our
booth.
We presented two sessions at the TMSA conference. The
first introduced the crowd to the Watt Watchers Traveling
Energy Exploration Stations. ,At the end of the session
teachers were allowed to dig in and see what was in the
new Renewable Energy Exploration Station. Watt Watchers
left that session with a handful of requests for this spring!
The second session was the Junior Solar Sprint workshop.
This always-popular workshop proved to be so once again,
as teachers built and raced their model solar cars. You
could see their wheels turning trying to figure out how they
could fit this great activity in before the end of the school
year!
Metropolitan Association for Teachers
of Science Spring Conference
T
he Metropolitan Association for
Teachers of Science met on
Saturday, February 26 at the Houston
Museum of Natural Science. Turn-out was lower
than years past, but the enthusiasm for Watt
Watchers was still present.
Watt Watchers presented two workshops,
“What is Watt Watchers” and “Traveling
Energy Exploration Stations.” Teachers
were very excited about the new materials
Watt Watchers of Texas has developed.
?
Quiere un globo ocular? In any language, it is a
question that causes one pause for thought “Do
you want an eyeball?” It slowed down attendees
at the 12th Annual Bilingual Educators Emphasizing
and Mastering Standards (BEEMS) Conference as
they strolled by the Watt Watchers table in the
Undergraduate Learning Center on the University of
Texas at El Paso campus. The BEEMS conference is
for teachers, administrators, parents, and students with
an emphasis on Two-Way Bilingual Education, and a
large crowd of educators showed up for the event.
The response to Watt Watchers is the same in any
language, too. Teachers really like the program.
Twenty-eight teachers signed up to lead the effort to
save energy at their schools. Mariachis livened up
the atmosphere and Watt Watchers contributed by
handing out eyeballs and stacks of $50 bills. Of
course, the eyeball in question
was on the now famous
round Watt Watcher
stickers that we hand
out at every
conference -
“because we want you to
watch watts.” Now about
those $50 bills...
9
Section A
 PROGRAM NEWS
Watt Watchers of Texas Flyers community. You must order this booklet from Watt Watchers
by completing the form or emailing the information to us.
- You ve Gotta Have Them
Energy Encounter Coming to the Dallas
Watt Watchers of Texas has a series of 81/2 x 11 color flyers.
They have been shipping in kits as they became available. Area!
One side is in full, text-gloss color – we call it a Mini-Poster Student Councils, Ecology Clubs, Science Clubs, Teachers,
- and the back has detailed information on all the programs Students, Energy Managers, etc… Come all to this
that Watt Watchers offers. Order your set today and stay fascinating energy workshop for energy and environmental
tuned for new additions. projects in schools.
CD-Rom Watt Watchers is hosting a FREE Energy Encounter at
Carrolton Farmers Branch ISD’s Creekview High School on
Watt Watchers of Texas released a new version of the CD- August 20, 2005 from 9am-4pm. Teachers and students
Rom in May. The new CD-Rom has the updated version of from High Schools throughout the Dallas/Ft.Worth area are
Knowledge is Power, the Real Projects Handbook, Traveling invited to participate.
Energy Exploration Station Educator’s Guides and more. If
you would like a new CD-Rom please email us at An Energy Encounter is a one day workshop to provide lots
info@wattwatchers.org and we put it in the mail. of information, ideas, and excitement about energy projects
for students, teachers and administrators. Groups from
Knowledge is Power Booklet several different schools in a district or region come together
In classrooms all over the state planning is under way for for fun, learning, and motivation. It is a great way to pick up
Q: How many true ideas for energy projects for Student Council, Future
bureaucrats does it classroom curriculum. When will you teach energy? What
take to screw in a will you use? Watt Watchers of Texas is pleased to announce Teachers of America, National Honor Society, Future
light bulb? Business Leaders of America, your Science Club or other
the overhaul and update of the Knowledge is Power
A: One to spot the Curriculum Supplement. The lesson format has been group.
burned-out bulb, his updated to make it more teacher-friendly. The worksheets Typically, the day starts with a motivational speaker and also
supervisor to
authorize a have been modified to make them more student-friendly. features a presentation from a district Energy Manager. The
requisition, a New lessons have been added to expand the reach of the agenda includes introductions to State Energy Conservation
requisition typist,
twelve clerks to file
energy conservation and efficiency message. The best news Office Programs, Watt Watchers-in-a-Nutshell, Monitor
the requisition about the Knowledge is Power Curriculum Supplement, is Power Management – Sleep Is Good, Weatherization, and
copies, a mail clerk that this fall it will be available in booklet format. We will be Real Projects with Real Results for the Real World during
to deliver the
requisition to the mailing these booklets out to everyone on our mailing list. breakout audit missions. You will also learn how to start a
purchasing The hard copy format will make the lessons readily District Energy Council and take control of energy waste in
department, a accessible at a moments notice. You can make photocopies your schools.
purchasing agent to
order the bulb, a of the student worksheets directly from the booklet, print
All this, and more, is condensed into one full day that includes
clerk to forward them off the Watt Watchers CD or print them off of
the purchasing handouts, prize drawings, and a little frivolity along with
order, a clerk to
www.wattwatchers.org.
serious savings sessions to help your group encounter
mail-order a
receiving clerk to “Real Projects energy and emerge efficient.
receive the bulb....
in the Real Cost is free but space
is limited and you must
World with Real REAL PROJECTS REQUEST FORM
pre-register to attend!
Results” School: District: No lunch will be
provided. There will be
Order your copy now Sponsor/Teacher: a one-hour lunch break
High school student Email Address: in which students and
groups this is the teachers will be able to
handbook you have Name of Student Group:
have lunch and then
been waiting for. This School Mailing Address: head back for a fun
handbook gives you filled afternoon. If you
City Zip
real project ideas that have any questions
will make a difference give us a call!
in your school and
To Register for the August 20, 2005 Encounter please call
our toll free number at 1-888-928-8326.

Watt Watchers Publications

Order Form
WATT WATCHERS OF TEXAS PROGRAM MANUAL
How to start and run your Watt Watchers patrol plus much more. 80 pages.

ENERGY ACTIVITY BOOK FOR GRADES K-2

Featuring a predictable story book for coloring. 46 pages.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
An energy efficiency curriculum supplement for Grades K-8. 72 pages.
(All current Watt Watchers will be automatically mailed a copy in late August.)

REAL PROJECTS IN THE REAL WORLD WITH REAL RESULTS

G
Projects for high school and middle school that make a real difference

IN
by saving energy, saving money, and preventing pollution.

COMON!
SLEEP IS GOOD

SO
Monitor and computer power management for Texas schools.

Name: __________________________________________
School: __________________________________________
School Address: ___________________________________
10 City: ________________________ Zip: ________________

Section A
 JUST TURN IT OFF...
Continued from page 4

Do your parents ever get upset when you leave your circle the items that they could turn off to save energy.
toys on? Why? Have students share their different items and the
What would happen if a flashlight were left on all reason for choosing them. Allow students to voice
night? differing opinions as many homes differ in what is
Do you think that the batteries would last longer if essential and what is not. Make sure the students
you used the flashlight only for a few minutes and know that while machines may be turned off to save
then turned it off or if you left it on all the time? energy, sometimes they must operate all the time due
to practical considerations for example, refrigerators,
Activity Two: exit signs, electric clocks, traffic signals, etc.).
Take two of the same type of flashlight. Label one as ON. Discussion:
Label the other as FIVE MINUTES. Turn on both flashlights.
After five minutes, turn the five-minute flashlight off, while Go through some of the following questions with your
leaving the other running. Three times during the day students to reinforce the idea that by turning an item
(morning, afternoon, end of school day), have the class off they are saving energy.
make detailed descriptions of each flashlight (brightness, What happens when the television or computer
flickering, etc). Record how long it takes before the ON is left on?
flashlight no longer produces light. What kind of energy does it use?
Ask students: Who has to pay for that energy? Q: How many aerobics
instructors does it
Which batteries needed to be replaced first? Why? What happens if you leave a lamp on? take to change a light
What does energy cause the lamp to do? bulb?
Why is it important to turn off the flashlight?
Who has to pay for the electricity to run the A: Five. Four to do it
Which would cost more, leaving a flashlight on or in perfect synchrony
turning it off? lamp? and one to stand
there going “To the
Activity Three: Are there some things that can’t be turned off left, and to the left,
to save energy? What are they? Why? and to the left, and
Distribute copies of the student sheet entitled Just Turn It to the left, and take
Off, Which depicts a room with many appliances. Have Extension: it out, and put it
down, and pick it up,
students name and point to objects in the picture to Start a Watt Watchers patrol at your school to help and put it in, and to
familiarize students with names. Tell the students that we conserve energy. See the Watt Watchers of Texas the right, and to the
right, and to the
all forget and leave things running that we should turn off. program manual for further instructions on starting right, and to the
Remind them that if we turn them off we will save energy in and maintaining this great program. right...”

the form of batteries or electricity just like they learned inResources:

the flashlight experiment.
Adapted from: Science NetLinks
Have the students color all of the things in the picture that www.sciencenetlinks.com/matrix.cfm 11
use energy. When they are finished coloring, have them
www.wattwatchers.org
Section A
 WHO’S DOING WATT WATCHERS
IN YOUR DISTRICT?
There are lots of ways to motivate students on a Watt
Do you know what schools in your district are enrolled in Watchers patrol. The new Watt Watchers manual
the Watt Watchers of Texas program? You need to. gives you lots of suggestions on how to motivate
Teachers and students throughout Texas are ready and able students and teachers to save energy.
to help Energy Managers get the job done. Watt Watchers
maintains a list of schools participating in the program and Provide Assistance
reducing energy waste in your schools. Wouldn’t you like Do you know how much electricity your school uses
to recognize those teachers, provide assistance to them each month? Do you know how much that electricity
and let them know that you are there if they have questions costs? These are questions we ask Watt Watchers
about the program? Tap this terrific resource. We would of Texas sponsors all the time and they often don’t
like to share our list with you. know. They need the assistance of the Energy
Manager to keep them up-to-date on the energy use/
There are many ways that energy managers can help with cost for their school. It is an important aspect of the
a school’s energy patrol. Here are a few ways for you to program for the students to chart their savings and
get involved with the schools in your district – maybe you they can’t do that without knowing those important
can go from being misperceived as the “Prince of Darkness” numbers. So share your that information with your
to duly recognized as the “King of Watt Watchers Patrols – they will make the other
Energy Savings!” occupants in the school aware of the energy use/
cost, which will help every one understand the
Get Programs Started Early. importance of “Turning it Off.”
r
ou
u s y tos It’s that time again – Back to
d o
sen ge ph eam & School! Do you think they have Save and Share
t a tt s learned over the summer to turn
vin m wa cher Does your school district share the savings with the
o a t the lights out every time they
fr tt W teachers that are sponsoring Watt Watchers
Wa leave the room? Take a poll programs? Many districts have created incentive
of the parents in your programs to help keep their Watt Watchers programs
district and you will find out going strong. The incentives are anything from a
that is not the case. We need party for the school that
to remind them early in the year reduces their
how important it is to “Turn It Off.” So start your e n e r g y
“Turn It Off” campaign to reduce energy waste early wastes
in the school year so that you can capture the t h e
most energy savings. most
to a
Motivate Students stipend for
It’s energizing to teachers
adult Watt sponsoring
Watchers to see programs.
students that are
energized about Watt Watchers
being a Watt will be sending
Watcher! Are the these lists out
students in your throughout the school
district excited year. If you would like
about saving your list now please
energy? Have contact Watt Watchers at info@wattwatchers.org and
you heard them we will email the Microsoft Excel file to you. If you
singing “Doo- find that these sponsors need new supplies please
Watt-Diddy- let us know – we want them to have the proper tools
Diddy?” What about “Going On a Watt Patrol?” If to participate in the program.
not, you need to get them tuned up and motivated!

Twentieth Anniversary
continued from page 1
to all our loyal Watt Watchers who have been saving energy all these Now, let’s all get back to watching watts — here’s
years. Take some time to celebrate and reflect on all the energy and hoping for 20 more years!
money you have saved – and the pollution you have prevented, too.

Q: How many
“Changing light
bulbs”-joke writers
does it take to
change a light bulb?

A: Two hundred, and

don’t ask why
because they haven’t
figured that out yet.

w o r k —
e g o o d
u p t h a d i t i o n Student Council President Mark

12
New Braunffels High School Energy
Committe Chair Jason Friesenhann and e e p
K a Texas t r Williams and a tthird grade
WATTEAM member workout an
energy puzzle, Jack Yates High

It’s
Vice Chair Derek Bird (l to r) study School organized the WATTEAM
WATTEAM materials at TSU lab school in Houston
Section A
 Section

The Newspaper for Watt Watchers and Watteam.

B
Summer 2005
Now incorporating WATTimes and the Texas School Energy Manager News.

BACK
TO SCHOOL CAMPAIGN- GET
STARTED SAVING BEFORE THE BELL RINGS

E
very teacher knows the importance of getting
A Message from your Friendly Energy Manager
students started on the right foot. Everything just
Email is a great way to communicate with little
goes more smoothly when they do. Establishing Doo-Watt-Diddy-Diddy
resources. Prepare an email that can be sent out to
routines and boundaries starts on the first day of class. It
all faculty and staff in the district to explain the (Energy Managers – practice
is hard to change direction later. Energy managers can
importance of the Energy Awareness Campaign. singing this in the shower so you’ll
get everyone started right, too. The difference is between
Share with them the theme for this year’s campaign be ready on your next classroom
faculty and staff thinking you are out to take away their visit.)
and information on how to assist you with getting the
comfort and convenience and faculty and staff all pitching
word out across the district. Give them a little bite of (Sung to the tune “Doo-Wah-
in to make your great district even better. Energy awareness
what’s to come with this campaign – it will help get Diddy-Diddy,” but you probably
can help you keep things postive.
them interested. knew that.)

Although there may be many distractions as school starts, There we were just a burnin’ up the
Tap Your Resources lamps,
having a campaign ready to remind administrators,
Use your existing Watt Watchers programs and enroll Singin’ Doo Watt Diddy Diddy,
teachers, students, custodians and parents to help the dumb, really dumb.
more schools in WW. Having a group of students on
district reduce energy waste can jump start your year. We Using up voltage, and wasting up
every campus every day deliver your message can those amps,
have some ideas to help you get started on the right foot.
really help your efforts. Singin’ Doo Watt Diddy Diddy,
dumb, really dumb.
Choose a Theme
Posters/Light Switches/ We look bad (look bad). We not
It’s important for you to pick a
Reminder Cards on smart (not smart)
theme that delivers a clear
Appliances We look bad, we not smart.
message to your building Everybody do their part.
Have the print shop make
posters, reminder cards, light Before we knew it, we were saving
switch stickers, etc., to get energy.
people aware of the campaign. Singin’ Doo Watt Diddy Diddy,
Make teachers a check list for smart, really smart.
Saving the planet and a lot of
leaving their classroom for the money.
occupants. “Turn It Off” has been a great campaign slogan
weekend. Pay some extra Singin’ Doo Watt Diddy Diddy,
used by many programs – you can’t get any more clear
attention to all the portables in smart, really smart.
than that. Or choose a theme that the Federal Energy
your district – make sure they We look good (look good). We look
Management Program has used and order supplies from
have the reminders they need to smart (look smart)
them to assist you throughout your campaign. (“You Have
help save energy in those We look good. We look smart.
the Power” support materials may be found at Everybody do their part.
energy gobbling buildings!
www.eere.energy.gov/femp/services/outreach.cfm — click
(bridge)
on YHTP)
Send the Message Home We knew we were blowin’ a fuse
All the other departments in the district send home a letter ——
But maybe that does not work for your district, make it Yes we did, and so found some
the first day of school – why not the Energy Management ideas everybody can use.
personal. Include something that makes it special to your
Department? Send home a letter with “Tips on Saving
district or even to each school in your district. The goal is Now we’re together, and we’re
Energy.” Not only will it help save energy in your community
to increase awareness – so put your creative thinking hat doing what’s right.
(which also reduces pollution) but it will let the parents in Singin’ Doo Watt Diddy Diddy,
on and come up with a theme that will save!
your district know that your district is serious about saving done, get it done.
energy. Conservation makes us look – so
bright.
Bring it to Life Singin’ Doo Watt Diddy Diddy,
Focus On A Target
Get some help from the art done, get it done.
Concentrate on one thing and make everyone aware
department to bring your
of it. For example, implement the Sleep Is Good We look good (look good). We
theme to life. Maybe you
computer power management program in your district. look smart (look smart)
want to have a mascot for We look good. We look smart.
your energy management Everybody do their part.
Make the Rounds
program this year or
Let them know who you are. Make the rounds to the Doo Watt Diddy Diddy done, get it
perhaps you just want a done. (We’re singin’)
schools in your district to let the teachers,
logo that will represent the Doo Watt Diddy Diddy done, get it
administrator, custodians ask you questions about the done. (Turn out the lights!)
concept. It’s up to you – but
campaign or let you know that they would be Doo Watt Diddy Diddy done, get it
pick something that will bring
interested in helping their school save more – waste done.
the theme to life and make
less. Be known as someone other than the “Prince
everyone remember the goal of the campaign!
of Darkness!” (Because you are always turning out
their lights.)

Post the Facts

Let the occupants of your
Get the Word Out
buildings know the facts. They
Now that you have a campaign
usually don’t have any idea how
put together you need to get the
much energy is used in their
word out. Here are a few ideas
school and how much that
on how to get your message
energy costs. Post the facts and
across.
keep them informed of the
savings that is occurring each
month. Make a large graph and hang 1
it in the teachers’ workroom/lounge or
Continues on page B2 Section B
 Traveling Energy
Exploration Stations
Have you seen them?
Have you ever read through a lesson plan or lab and said www.wattwatchers.org, on our CD-Rom and in most of our
to yourself, “I would love to do this lesson, but I don’t newspapers. Be sure to give us some alternate dates you
have the supplies,” or “This lab requires lab supplies my would like the station in your classroom and to send in your
school can’t afford.” Watt Watchers of Texas has solved reservation form early since we have a very high demand
those problems for you free of charge. in the spring months.
The Traveling Energy Exploration Stations are boxes with The Electricity
lessons and lab supplies boxed together ready to set out Station covers
for your students. It also comes with resources like books, topics such
videos and posters to teach electricity, solar cooking, as circuits,
renewable energy resources, or Junior Solar Sprint. flashlights,
electromagnets,
These stations can be checked out from Watt Watchers of
r e a d i n g
Texas for two weeks at a time. The box will be shipped to
meters, and
your school at no cost. You can use the Traveling Energy
Education Stations for two weeks. Don’t worry about using
up the expendable supplies in the box, we will refill them
when they get back to our office. At the end of two weeks,
we will have the box picked up at your school, once again
at our cost. There is no cost to you at all, no shipping
fees, no rental fees, no re-supply fees, no reservation
fees- totally FREE.
To reserve a Traveling Energy Exploration Station for your
classroom, fill out a reservation form and fax it back to
us. Reservation forms can be found on our website static electricity. This station contains items such as, a
Continues on pag. 3B

BACK TO SCHOOL CAMPAIGN...

Continued from page B1 Don’t Fizzle Out
about the energy use and savings as a result of their Watt The celebration is over but the savings don’t stop. Keep
Watchers program and Energy Awareness your programs going strong by providing them the
Campaign. information and assistance they need to be
successful.
Celebrate the Success An Energy
Plan a celebration – you Awareness
are going to save by Campaign
making your occupants can and
aware of their energy should last
use and by getting your all year
patrols started early. Give long. Plan
out pencils or stickers, phases of
order Watt Watchers of t h e
Texas Certificates – you c a m pa i g n
pick the celebration – just so that you
celebrate! Let them know spread out the materials you are distributing, it will
how well they have done help keep their interest high.
and thank them for their Make sure that all your schools are members of the Watt
efforts. Personally Watchers program so that we can keep them up to date on
recognize the Zero Hero classroom each 6 weeks new ways to save energy in the classroom. If you need
Q: How many London
taxi drivers does it in your schools, personally hand out the Most information on how to enroll your district in the Watt
take to change a Improved Awards, too. Watchers of Texas program please contact us at 1-888-
light bulb? USWATTS or email us at info@wattwatchers.org
A: (In a heavy
cockney accent)
What? Go all the
way up there and
come back empty?
You must be jokin’
mate!
§ Watt Watchers is a free, state-
sponsored program to help Watt Watchers of Texas
school districts save energy and 1-888-US WATTS (1-888-879-2887)
money by getting students
P.O.Box 68660, El Paso, Texas 79968 Fax: 1-888-879-2887
involved.
e-mail: info@wattwatchers.org
§ Students patrol the school
looking for empty classrooms http://wattwatchers.org
with the lights on. They turn out Your Name: _________________________________________________
the lights and leave a ticket for School Name: _______________________________________________
the teacher.
School Address: ____________________________________________
§ It may sound trivial but…when (Free kit will be shipped to your school / Street address preferred)
the teacher forgets to turn out
the lights an 2 extra hours a day,
at lunch and after school for City: ______________________ Zip: _____ - ____ County: ______
example, — It costs the district School Phone: ( ) ____ - ______ School Fax: ( ) ____ - _____
$50 every year. Email Address: ___________________________________________
§ Get your students involved. Name of School District: ___________________________________
Save energy, save money, and Date: _________ Spring 2005
2 prevent pollution.

Section B
 Traveling Energy
Continued from pag. 2B
wattmeter, batteries, light bulbs (incandescent, compact
fluorescent, and fluorescent tube), and a Tale of Two Light The Junior Solar Sprint (JSS)
Bulbs presentation. Station helps to support the
The Solar Cooking Station contains four ready to use JSS program in Texas.
commercial solar cookers as well as plans to build seven Teams of students in grades
others. Included in the box are cookbooks, pots and of 6-8 can build and race solar
course- hot pads. Your students will be able to cook powered cars to race. The
anything from a s’more to a roast with the wide range of National Renewable Energy
solar cookers in this station. The Renewable Energy station Laboratory sponsors and
has labs and lessons to cover each of the renewable supports the national
resources, solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and program. The station includes
hydropower. Let your students build a geyser, a wind meter, instructions on how to build
or a pinwheel turbine. See what happens when garbage the cars as well as how to hold
breaks down or how color can affect solar water heaters. races at your school and in
These are all hands-on learning activities students of all your district to qualify for the
ages will enjoy. national races in Colorado.
The station
includes
solar panels,
wheels,
transmissions,
motors, and
tools to build
10 cars.
This station can be
kept for up to six
weeks.

Grab
Some Traveling Energy Exploration Stations are
free to check out – we will ship them to your

Energy school for you to use for 2-4 weeks and then
schedule for station to be picked up from
your school – it’s that easy!

Solar Cooking Electricity Station

Station
10 fun hands-on activities
4 solar cookers
*Instructions to
* with instructions and
materials
Q: How many

*build 7 other 20 books on electricity &

editors does it
take to screw in a

solar cookers
Cooking supplies
*Watt’s
energy
Up Meter
light bulb?
A: Two, one to

*Bulletin
change the bulb

*Solar
board *Teacher’s guide
and one to issue a

*Posters for your classroom

rejection slip to
cookbooks the old bulb.

*Teacher’s guide *
*
Renewable Junior Solar
Energy Station Sprint Station
12 hands-on 8 solar panels
*Books
activities *16 wheel kits
*Videos *16 motors
*Posters *Tools for assembling cars
*Teachers Guide *Teachers guide
* * 3
Section B
 Remember: Turn it Off
It’s Proven to Work!
D
o your light switches remind you to turn them off when
you leave a classroom? They could. A study done
by the Institute for Research in Construction, National
Research Council of Canada, Carleton University’s
Department of Psychology and The Rose
Technology Group says, “A carefully
controlled field study has shown that
reminder stickers attached to light
switch plates reduce lighting energy
consumption in offices. The magnitude
of the energy savings is large enough for
the switch stickers to be cost effective
in 10 weeks or less. A that you don’t want to complete on your
questionnaire administered at
the end of the study showed
that people were
generally receptive to
the switch stickers as
reminders for saving
energy.” So there is the
proof you have been waiting for.
What about the sticker – where do you
start? We suggest designing your own
stickers. Make them special to the school or
district. For example, Madison High School’s
mascot is the Maverick so their stickers might
say “Mighty Mavs – Don’t forget to Turn It Off!” Or
you could have district stickers with your districts
logo on them reminding teachers and students that
“NEISD reminds you to - Turn it Off when you leave the
room.” We have provided examples of stickers that you
could make. You could also contact Watt Watchers to order
4
Section B
a template of these stickers if you don’t want to create your
own. The best way for you to get the stickers is to take the
template to your school district’s print shop and have
them print vinyl light switch stickers. Watt Watchers
can assist you with the artwork, however, we cannot
provide the stickers for you – just think of the number
of light switches in one school and multiply that by
the number of schools in Texas (over 7000) – that
would take care of our budget for the year!
Now we must get busy applying stickers to all
the switches in your district. This is a job
own. Watt Watchers recommends
enlisting student groups to assist you in
this large but simple project. There are
lots of student groups in your schools
that would be willing to help conquer
this project; can’t think of a better
group than your Watt Watchers Patrols.
As they start out the new school year have
them apply the stickers to the light switches on their
first patrol. This will serve as a reminder to the teachers
that the school is continuing to reduce energy waste and
also get the students familiar with their patrol route.
Many occupants of your buildings have been told at some
point in their life that it is better to leave fluorescent lights on
than to turn them on and off. You know that this is a big
myth and the facts need to be spread across your district so
that lighting energy waste can decrease. Light switch
stickers reminding them to Turn It Off will help educate them
about the facts.
(Sized to allow direct copying)
 Clean Cities Selects Texas for Five National Awards
Every year the U.S. Department of Energy’s
Clean Cities recognizes the most outstanding
private partnerships for advancing the use of
alternative fuels. Texas received five of the nine
National Awards given in 2005.
State Partner of the Year: Texas
State Energy Conservation Office Private Fleet of the Year: McShan
The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO),
Austin, Texas, has provided essential support to Clean Cities Florist
coalitions across Texas. The South East Texas, Central
Texas, East Texas, and Alamo Area Clean Cities coalitions
cited the financial, creative, and administrative assistance
of SECO as keys to their successes as coalitions. SECO
has consistently helped the coalitions start up operations
and attain official designation and acquire funding through
the State Energy Program Special Projects grants. It has
also provided grant writing and other workshops and
organized meetings of all the coalitions inTexas.
Exporter of the Year: Clean Fuel
USA
Clean Fuel USA in Georgetown, Texas, has long been
recognized as a leader in establishing liquefied petroleum
gas (LPG) as a viable vehicle fuel in the United States. It
has established LPG fueling stations, rail terminals, and
storage facilities in several states. Now its recognition
extends beyond U.S. borders with LPG exports of $1.1 million
and a number of joint ventures.
McShan Florist in Dallas, Texas, is one of the oldest florists
in the Dallas Metroplex and has the area’s largest privately
owned compressed natural gas (CNG) fleet. In 1991 it
voluntarily replaced its delivery vans with dedicated CNG
vehicles, and today has 30 vehicles that use 80,000 gallons
of CNG per year. McShan made the decision because of
environmental concerns and has discovered that the
economics are also very favorable — the engines last up to
200,000 miles.

National Clean Cities Coordinator Transit Fleet of the Year: Sun Metro
Awards, Central Region: Stacy Sun Metro in El Paso, Texas, uses approximately 3 million
gallons of natural gas each year in its transit fleet. Liquefied
Neef natural gas or CNG powers 60% of its buses. Sun Metro
Stacy Neef, coordinator of the Central Texas Clean Cities recently purchased 25 new CNG-powered buses to replace
Coalition in Austin,Texas, has worked in all aspects of the older diesel vehicles, and plans to convert 25 more diesel
Clean Cities portfolio and developed a series of alternative buses to CNG, which will make the fleet almost 100% natural
fuel workshops. Her events attract all types of public and gas.
“When the U.S. last paid
private fleets in the Austin area. She plans her events and attention to oil, in 1977–85,
attends to her daily duties with a zest that impresses all Re-printed from the U.S. Department of Energy’s State it cut its oil use 17% while
who work with her. Neef supports the goals of the national Energy Program publication Conservation Update http:// GDP grew 27%. Oil
program, and under her leadership her coalition has grown www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_program/update/ imports fell 50%, and
throughout the year. imports from the Persian

Winning the Oil Endgame

Gulf by 87%, in just eight
years. That exercise of
dominant market power—
from the demand side—
Here are the opening paragraphs of a recent book from Rocky Mountain
Institute. Check out this amazing roadmap for escaping the Petroleum Age
broke OPEC’s ability to set
without sacrificing the environment or the economy. Download the entire world oil prices for a
book and read about your energy future. decade. Today we can
rerun that play, only better.
The obstacles are less

“
Two centuries ago, the first industrial revolution made therefore winning the Oil Endgame. And surprisingly, it will
people a hundred times more productive, harnessed cost less to displace all of the oil that the United States now important than the
fossil energy for transport and production, and nurtured uses than it will cost to buy that oil. Oil’s current market opportunities if we replace
the young U.S. economy. price leaves out its true ignorance with insight,
Then, over the past 145 costs to the economy, inattention with foresight,
years, the Age of Oil national security, and the and inaction with
brought unprecedented environment. But even mobilization. American
mobility, globe-spanning without including these business can lead the
military power, and now “externalized” costs, it
nation and the world into
amazing synthetic would still be profitable to
the post-petroleum era, a
products. displace oil completely over
the next few decades. In vibrant economy, and
But at what cost? Oil, lasting security—if we just
fact, by 2025, the annual
which created the sinews realize that we are the
economic benefit of that
of our strength, is now
displacement would be people we have been
becoming an even greater
source of weakness: its
$130 billion gross (or $70 waiting for.
volatile price erodes
billion net of the Together we can end oil
prosperity; its
displacement’s costs). dependence forever.”
vulnerabilities undermine To achieve this does not Winning the Oil Endgame,
security; its emissions require a revolution, but 2005.
destabilize climate. merely consolidating and www.oilendgame.com
Moreover the quest to accelerating trends already
attain oil creates in place: the amount of oil
dangerous new rivalries the economy uses for each
and tarnishes America’s dollar of GDP produced,
moral standing. All these and the fuel efficiency of
costs are rising. And their light vehicles, would need
root causes—most of all, only to improve about
inefficient light trucks and three-fifths as quickly as
cars—also threaten the they did in response to
competitiveness of U.S. previous oil shocks.”
automaking and other key Winning the Oil Endgame,
industrial sectors. 2 0 0 5 .
www.oilendgame.com 5
The cornerstone of the
next industrial revolution is
Section B
 Electrifying Extras
Some Top Sites for Energy Manager Surfing:

http://www.eere.energy.gov/

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/

www.energystar.gov http://eetd.lbl.gov/EnergyCrossroads/
EnergyCrossroads.html

http://www.estesmcclure.com/
http://www.newbuildings.org/

http://www.eia.doe.gov/

http://www.energysmartschools.gov/sectors/ess/index.asp

http://www.energysmartschools.gov/sectors/ess/index.asp

http://lightingdesignlab.com/
http://www.hpschooldesigntraining.com/nyserda/home.jsp

http://pmdb.cadmusdev.com/powermanagement/quickCalc.html
http://www.daylighting.org/

http://www.betterbricks.com/default.aspx
http://www.teesi.com/

http://www.projectgreenmachine.org/
EEMAF/index-eem.html
http://www.texasenergypartnership.org/ http://www.casdem.org/

6
Section B
 Watt’s Going On?
Watt Watchers of Texas Event Calendar 2005
September 7 - December 1
Alternative Energy Workshops
SECO’s Alternative Energy Program seeks to improve Texas
secondary students’ understanding of energy, environmental
issues and increase their awareness of alternative fuels in
their communities. Alternative Energy begins by introducing
physical and chemical principles of energy and fuels, then
proceeds to investigations of the nature and extent of energy
resources, the economics and environmental effects of energy
use, alternative energy technologies, global climate change,
health and safety. For more information call Juline Gurasich
at (512) 936-9283 or email juline.gurasich@cpa.state.tx.us.
Teachers attending workshop receive a free CD, which
includes 25 hands-on investigations/activities, web resources
and numerous flash animations. There are 6 hours of CPE
credit given to workshop attendees. For additional information
on the workshops, see the 2005 Alternative Energy Workshops
Schedule.
September 14-16 The Annual Texas
Energy Partnership Meeting (TEP)
At the Austin Convention Center on 2005. The meeting is
being held in conjunction with the 2005 World Energy
Engineering Congress (WEEC). The World Energy
Engineering Congress is presented by the Association of
Energy Engineers (AEE). For more information about the
meeting go to www.energycongress.com.
In addition to specific TEP sessions and the annual TEP
Awards Program, the WEEC features a large, multi-track
conference agenda, a full line-up of seminars on a variety of
current topics and a comprehensive exposition of the market’s
most promising new technologies. The WEEC conference and
expo target the complete spectrum of technologies and
services, including, but not limited to:
Renewable and alternative energy
Combined heat and power / cogeneration /
distributed generation
Lighting efficiency
HVAC systems and controls
Integrated building automation and energy
management
Thermal storage and load management
Boilers and combustion controls
Geoexchange technologies
Solar and fuel cell technologies
Applications specific to federal energy management
programs
Energy services and project financing
Other features for 2005 include free technology workshops
held in the exhibit hall, and several free tours of local energy
installations of interest.
The State Energy Conservation Office and the Texas Energy
Partnership will provide a limited number of free full
registrations to the conference for local political subdivisions.
This does not include travel expenses. Priority will be given to
those political subdivisions located in the 41 counties affected
by Senate Bill 5.
To register for the 3rd Annual Texas Energy Partnership
Meeting and the free registration to the 2005 World Energy
Engineering Congress, please contact Glenn Jennings by
phone at (800) 531-5441, extension 3-1770 or by email at
glenn.jennings@cpa.state.tx.us.
September 23-25, 6th Annual
Renewable Energy Round Up
Fredericksburg, TX
Solar - Wind - Water Use & Reuse - Energy
Conservation
Rainwater Harvesting - Green & Sustainable Building
Organic Growing - Alternative Transportation
Straw Bale Construction - Exhibits
Free Guest Speakers - Food-Family Activities
October 22 Dallas Area Energy Encounter
Creekview HS
Carrolton Farmers Branch ISD
High School Student Groups are invited to attend a workshop to
help you with your energy and environment projects.
3rd Annual Texas Energy Partnership Meeting and 2005 World
Energy Engineering Congress.
Adding Energy to the Classroom
Infinite Power of Texas Workshop
Ever wonder how to meet the “solar energy” TEKS or how to
address “renewable and non-renewable energy”? Want to
introduce your students to being smarter energy consumers in
the future?
We have free resources to meet your needs. Twenty-two free,
comprehensive Units of Study are based on TEKS and are ready
to use in grades 4 –12.
Join us for a 6-hour workshop on electricity, energy conservation
and efficiency, and renewable energy. Workshop participants will:
· Receive grade appropriate hard copy of Teacher Resource Guide
and Units of Study with instructions on usage
· Receive CD with all grade levels, plus PowerPoint graphs and
charts, plus 16-minute video narrated by Dan Rather, “The
Infinite Power of Texas”
· Learn content mastery (2 hours) on energy subjects including:
o energy consumption vs. production, US and Texas
o renewable energy resources, US and Texas
o energy conservation and energy efficiency
o advantages and barriers to renewables
o Texas renewable energy development and potential
· Participate in grade appropriate hands-on Lab Activities (3 hours)
from the Units
o building an electric circuit
o heating water with the sun
o testing a pinwheel wind turbine
o constructing a parabolic solar water heater
o make a PV cell
o testing a windmill generator
Workshops will be held at the following Service Centers:
Region Location Date
14 Abilene Sept. 16
16 Amarillo Sept. 23
20 San Antonio Sept. 30
Register through the Education Service Center
The Units use an integrated approach to science, math and
language arts and include TAKS skills in expository reading and
comprehension, multiple choice and short answer assessments,
map reading, graphing and the scientific inquiry.
Lunch hour is on us! You will be able to browse the REsource
Expo and learn about the student competition—“Watts Up?”—
that could earn your classroom up to $1,000 worth of equipment.
For more information, contact Kathryn Houser at 800-465-5049
or info@txses.org
The workshop and materials are presented by the Texas Solar
Energy Society and are funded by the Texas State Energy
Conservation Office and the US Department of Energy.
Family Activities
Gate entry fee
$8 for Friday or Sunday,
$10 for Saturday or
$16 for a 3-day pass (children under 12 free)
7
Section B
 *CHANGE A LIGHT, CHANGE THE WORLD

Changing the world starts with simple actions. When you replace light bulbs or entire light fixtures in your home
with ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR, you contribute to a cleaner environment while saving yourself
energy, money and time buying and changing lights in your home. Every American is encouraged to change out
their 5 most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them to ENERGY STAR qualified lighting. If every
American home made this “5 light change” not only would each family save more than $60 every year in energy
costs, but together we’d also keep more than one trillion pounds of greenhouse gases out of our air. That’s a
$6 billion energy savings for Americans equivalent to the annual output of more than 21 power plants.

Watt Watchers of Texas NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
EL PASO, TX
The Energy Center PERMIT NO. 77

University of Texas at El Paso

P.O. Box 68660
El Paso, Texas 79968
Please Route:
o Science Chair
o Student Council
o Librarian
o Energy Manager

Summer 2005 http://wattwatchers.org

1-888-US WATTS