What Now? Survey Contest

Contest Entries Accepted

February 15, 2010 -  April 15, 2010

Context

Conservation can buy us time! If we do not conserve energy, lessen the demand on weakened public utility infrastructures, we are facing problems that may soon become insurmountable.

We take for granted the infrastructures that bring us light, heat and water. Since the day we were born, these utilities have been a dependable and reliable part of our existence. But will they continue to be dependable and reliable for the future? Not necessarily!

Across the United States, public utility delivery systems are very old and in need of replacement. Water line breaks and gas line ruptures are frequently in the news.  Tremendous amounts of money are spent patching old systems and keeping them functioning.  Many of these systems are operating at capacity; yet new construction projects increase demand. 

But the real question is why conserve? 

Conservation = immediate impact = immediate savings = immediate reduction on utility infrastructures.

  1. Water Saving Devices – as soon as you install water saving devices you begin to reduce your water and sewer bill, reduce your hot water heating bill, thus reduce the demand on water, sewer and gas or electric grids.
  2. Fluorescent lighting / low-voltage lighting – As soon as you install these bulbs or fixtures you begin to reduce your electric bill and reduce the demand on our electric grid.
  3. Windows, doors, set back thermostats, white roofs & insulation – again immediate saving on your utility bills (AC and Heat) and reduction of demand on the grid.

Motion-activated exterior lighting – Ever drive around at night and notice how many lights are left on all night for security reasons. Motion-activated lights save on your utility bill, reduce stress on the grid and provide security.

The following exercise is meant to stimulate thinking about our dependency on infrastructures that are stretched to the breaking point.

Please review the following assumptions and use them as background information to answer the questions below.

Assumptions

  1. It is 6:00 pm in the Northeast United States and an “unusually hot July.” **
  2. You are having dinner with your family and suddenly the electricity shuts off. Within hours, all of the other public utilities – water, gas, and phone – also shut down.
  3. The next morning, the utilities are still off. From a battery-operated radio, you hear a station from the Midwest announcing that the entire northeastern U.S. is blacked out. It is estimated that it will take several days to restore power. Without electricity, there is no water, gas or phone service, including cell phones. You are without the many conveniences you rely on daily.
  4. In the following days, you become aware that the entire electrical grid for the Northeast has imploded and will take months, if not years, to rebuild.

Questions (Limited to 100 words per answer)

  1. Identify 10 things around you that have come to a grinding halt?

  2. What did you do to get through the first 24 hours?

    Total word Count : 0

  3. What did you do to make it through the first five days?

    Total word Count : 0

  4. What is your environment like five days into this disaster?

    Total word Count : 0

  5. How do you prepare for life without these public services?
    (Keep in mind that approximately 55,000,000 people live in the Northeast U.S.)

    Total word Count : 0

  6. What is the economic impact on the rest of the country?

    Total word Count : 0

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Contest Rules

All entries must be type-written and limited to 100 words per question. There are no wrong answers. Entries must include name, address, phone number and email contact.  Your submission will be judged by a panel of OARC and PECO representatives based on how creative, realistic and financially resourceful. Submissions can also be mailed to Erika Griffin, Interim Director of Community and Government Affairs, OARC, 1536 Haines Street, Philadelphia, PA 19126, or egriffin@oarcphilly.org . DEADLINE IS APRIL 15, 2010.

Prize

The contest winner will receive a starter home energy retrofit that includes installation of interior and exterior energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs, automatic thermostats, low flow showerheads, water-saving aerators for sinks and faucets throughout their home and a complete home energy audit administered by Top Quality Home Services.

In addition, the winner’s block and block association may be eligible to participate in a future OARC sponsored Urban Energy Conservation Block Party. The estimated value of the energy retrofit for the prizewinner is $500-$600.