The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is requesting information on broadband internet access and speed from Alabama residents and businesses.

Alabamians are encouraged to take the speed survey at https://alabama.speedsurvey.org/ to help the state locate gaps in broadband service. The information gathered will be used for planning efforts to help fill those gaps. Those unable to complete the survey online may also call (334) 353-4589 to complete it by phone.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many to work and complete school from home and further highlighted the importance of having access to high-speed internet across the state,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “Taking this speed survey will help us get the data we need to plan our efforts to help close those service gaps.”

ADECA administers the Broadband Alabama program, which includes the Broadband Accessibility Fund which was created by the Alabama Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey. It was created to assist broadband providers in extending high-speed internet service for households, businesses and community anchors in unserved areas of the state or in areas lacking minimum threshold service.

Many Alabama homes and businesses are likely receiving less than the current federal definition of broadband service, which is 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download speed and three Mbps upload speed. The information gathered from the speed survey will help pinpoint the specific areas that lack this coverage. Your address will not be made public and the information will be used solely for the state's planning efforts.

Thirteen Alabama wastewater facilities were recognized Wednesday for their work in reducing energy costs and/or nitrogen levels at their plants.

Kenneth Boswell, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs director, and Lance LeFleur, Alabama Department of Environmental Management director, presented plaques to the departments during the Alabama Wastewater Energy Management Initiative Workshop in Prattville.

Those receiving awards were Alexander City, Wetumpka Water Works and Sewer Board, Muscle Shoals Utilities Board, Sheffield Utilities, Fort Payne, Prichard Water Works and Sewer Board, American Water Enterprises (Fort Rucker), Hanceville Water Works and Sewer Board, Sylacauga Utilities Board, Hartselle Utilities, Pell City, Eufaula Water Works and Sewer Board and Monroeville Water Works.

ADECA’s Energy Division and BOC Alabama are presenting Building Operator Certification training in Huntsville with classes starting on May 15.

This is a comprehensive training for public facility managers, maintenance technicians, and energy managers to learn how to make their buildings more comfortable and efficient by making its systems work better together.

BOC participants consistently save money and energy in their facilities – up to $20,000 a year – thanks to energy conservation projects, air quality improvements and other initiatives.

Registration is open now. To register for the upcoming training, click here: http://bocalabama.com/huntsville/

ADECA has a limited number of $400 scholarships available for public organizations. To apply for the scholarship, download the application here: http://bocalabama.com/scholarship-discount/

Past BOC training participants include building engineers, stationary engineers, maintenance supervisors, maintenance workers, facility coordinators, HVAC technicians, electricians, operations supervisors, operations techs, and others in the facility operation and maintenance field who wish to broaden their knowledge of the total building system.

Level I classes support the BOC operator skill standard by devoting significant content to the topics of HVAC systems and controls, lighting fundamentals, measuring and benchmarking energy performance, common opportunities for operational improvements, and facility electrical systems.

Mary Blackmon of ADECA’s Energy Division was recently recognized nationally for her work to help governments and school systems use energy efficiency to achieve savings in their always-stretched budgets.

The Energy Services Coalition presented Mary with the 2017 Public Sector Champion Award at the group’s 6th Annual Market Transformation Conference on Aug. 10 and 11 in Henderson, Nev.

Mary was nominated for the award based on her work promoting and furthering performance contracting in Alabama, making more entities aware of what it is, what it does, and how it leads to energy savings.

“I am very excited, flattered and humbled,” Mary said. “There are so many states doing this, so it was an honor just to be considered.”

Performance contracting helps entities – generally varying levels of government and schools – to make energy upgrades to buildings without having to come up with additional funds for new equipment. The Energy Services Coalition says it “enables building owners to use future energy savings to pay for up-front costs of energy-saving projects, eliminating the need to dip into capital budgets.”

The equipment upgrades include more energy-efficient lighting, heating and air conditioner systems, insulation and building automation that helps control things such as lighting and temperature.

“The Performance Contracting program has taken great strides since Mary has taken over,” said Karl Frost, chief of the Energy Division’s Energy Efficiency Unit. “We are immensely proud of her and the work she has put forth to make it happen.”

(L to R) Maureen Neighbors, Energy Division Chief, Mary Blackmon, Karl Frost.

The coalition is a national nonprofit organization composed of a network of experts from a wide range of organizations working together at the state and local level to increase energy efficiency and building upgrades through energy savings performance contracting.

Mary currently serves on the coalition’s board of directors as the vice-president, public sector.

Blackmon with her award, pictured here with ESC President Tom Walther.

The small, rural town of Woodville, AL, saves money by being energy efficient, and that has gotten them national recognition. We talk with the mayor, wastewater plant operator, and representatives from the North Alabama Electric Cooperative and ADECA about Woodville's energy savings.