NATCHITOCHES, La. (January 13, 2023) – Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) presented engineered wood product company Weyerhaeuser with a big check – literally and figuratively – in the amount of $31,121.16 for recently upgrading its lighting to energy saving LEDs. Weyerhaeuser earned the incentive funds, which will help offset the cost of the project, after retrofitting the existing lighting at its Natchitoches sawmill facility.
A total of 348 metal halide and compact fluorescent bulbs – 83 exterior and 265 interior – were replaced with light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Compared to conventional bulbs, LEDs use significantly less electricity and last much longer with an average 15-year lifespan. They also need less maintenance, which helps reduce operating costs, and offer brighter lighting levels, which helps increase safety.
The anticipated annual electric savings from this project will be approximately 18 kW in demand and 224,000 kWh in energy. For Weyerhaeuser Natchitoches, this means the project will yield savings of approximately $11,000 a year or about $916 a month over the next five years.
“Weyerhaeuser launched its current sustainability strategy in 2020 and I’m proud of the Natchitoches sawmill for identifying and implementing this lighting project that will improve energy efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas emissions,” says Weyerhaeuser Finance and Planning Manager Rachel Proctor. “This project highlights how our business is integrating sustainability into our operations as we plan for the future.”
Weyerhaeuser’s sustainability strategy focuses on maintaining its strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) foundation; improving how its business processes align with sustainability; and demonstrating the positive impact through its actions.
“The Weyerhaeuser project is a great example of a customer leveraging energy efficiency incentives to cost-effectively meet its company goals,” said SWEPCO Senior Energy Efficiency & Consumer Program Coordinator Mike Nix. “We hope it inspires our other business customers to complete an energy efficiency project in the coming year.”
SWEPCO's Commercial Solutions Energy Efficiency Program provides incentives for facilities to reduce peak electric demand and annual energy consumption, resulting in improved building performance and comfort. Incentives are available for both existing buildings and new construction projects and are based on the verified electric energy savings. In addition to lighting upgrades, the commercial program offers incentives for upgrades to HVAC systems, air compressor systems, Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations and more.
SWEPCO also offers energy efficiency programs for residential customers.
About Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO)
SWEPCO, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, serves more than 547,800 customers in Northwest and Central Louisiana, Northeast Texas and the Texas Panhandle, and Western Arkansas. SWEPCO’s headquarters are in Shreveport, La. News releases and other information about SWEPCO can be found at SWEPCO.com. Connect with us at Facebook.com/SWEPCO, Twitter.com/SWEPCOnews, Instagram.com/swepco, Youtube.com/SWEPCOtv and LinkedIn.com/company/swepco.
About American Electric Power (AEP)
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 7,100 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.
###