In addition to reducing waste and emissions, conserving resources
such as energy and water is critical to environmental protection. Dominion continually
works to improve efficiency — which brings important business as well
as environmental benefits.
Energy Conservation
Dominion works to conserve
energy and improve efficiency both in our own generation and consumption and
by promoting efficiency measures throughout our customer base. In-house, we
have implemented energy conservation projects following a Six Sigma approach.
Dominion Six Sigma is a fact-based methodology for achieving, sustaining and
maximizing business success in any facet of our operations. A close understanding
of customer needs, a disciplined use of data and analysis, and a sharp focus
drives it on continually improving business processes.
Recognizing that lower energy bills have a positive effect
on the environment, Dominion also provides energy efficiency information to
homeowners
and businesses.
A variety of useful web resources are available online to promote better awareness
and planning, including an energy survey and an appliance energy usage calculator.
Conservation Consultants, Inc.
The Dominion Foundation provided funding for a new initiative
developed by the Conservation Consultants, Inc., (CCI) an organization dedicated
to promoting responsible energy use in homes and other buildings. The Building
As A Teaching Tool program focuses on Green Building, renewable energy and
energy conservation.
As part of the program, the CCI coordinator meets with and
gives presentations at middle school and high school students, as well as
directing field trips to the CCI Center which is a green building. The program
has been well received in the Pittsburgh area as continues to grow as more
schools express an interest in participating.
Water Conservation
Dominion is also using the
Six Sigma process to address water use reduction projects such as the
reduction of city water use, the reduction of water used in Dominion plant
systems, and the reduction of river water used in the clarified water
system at Dominion facilities. With the Six Sigma process, Dominion has
produced significant results:
Dominion has reduced city water consumption at various
facilities by approximately 115 million gallons per year by tightening
seals, valving out redundant equipment, installing flow meters and current
detectors.
In another project, savings of 31 million gallons
per year were accrued by replacing pumps with updated designs that eliminated
the need for city water, installing recycle tanks to recycle water,
and installing overflow detectors, which reduced flow of water into
systems.
At another site, the use of river water was reduced
by 157 million gallons per year through improved preventive maintenance
in the clarified water system and installation of a three-way valve,
which allowed water to be recycled.
