7:10-7:25 Nancy Nathanson, candidate for House District 13 Representative (14 min)
A handy device that measures the amount of electricity used by computers, flat-screen televisions, lamps, iPods and other electronic devices in homes and businesses will be available for checkout at the Eugene Public Library starting Wednesday, April 16.
The easy-to-use “Kill A Watt” gauges are being made available through a partnership with the Eugene Water & Electric Board, City of Eugene and state Rep. Nancy Nathanson of Eugene.
A news conference and demonstration of how the device works will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16, in the Tykeson Room at the Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave.
Nathanson came up with the idea of making the Kill A Watt available for library checkout while shopping for a birthday gift for her husband. “Okay, so maybe it’s not the most exciting birthday gift,” Nathanson said. “But it started me thinking about ways we could use this device to help other folks monitor their energy usage without having to purchase one.”
EWEB bought 15 Kill A Watts and collaborated with the city to make them available at the main branch of the library.
The Kill A Watt is easy to use: Simply plug it into an electrical socket and then plug the electrical device that you want to measure into the Kill A Watt. Many people may be surprised to learn how much energy is being used by electronic devices, even when turned off or in “standby” mode. These “phantom” electricity loads account for up to 6 percent of all power usage in the United States, according to some estimates. Knowing which equipment is using the most power may spur consumers to take steps to curb some of their power usage.
Nathanson said that if the devices prove to be popular at the Eugene library, she would like to see the program expanded statewide “so every Oregon community can participate and benefit.” She also praised EWEB and the city for collaborating to help consumers with a free device aimed at saving them money.
“When I talk about government accountability and savings, this is one of the ways we can really show Oregonians we can be smart, efficient, cost-effective and save them a few bucks at the same time,” she said.
Rep. Nathanson described budget and other issues at a town hall meeting with Sen. Vicki Walker and Rep. Chris Edwards.
sponsored by Lane Council of Governments Seniors and Disabled Services.
with Rep. Chris Edwards and Sen. Vicki Walker