Wal-Mart to perform energy audits at state capitols
By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff -- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 3/17/2008 1:00:00 AM
Retail giant Wal-Mart signed an agreement with the National Governors’ Assn. (NGA) to provide energy audits of government buildings in state capitol complexes nationwide.
According to the “Greening State Capitols” public-private partnership, Wal-Mart will send engineering experts to perform energy audits for as many as 20 state capitols in 2008 and 2009.
"State and local governments spend more than $11 billion on energy every year and those costs are growing rapidly,” said Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, chairman of the NGA. “States need to lead by example and the NGA is excited to partner with Wal-Mart and use its expertise to improve energy efficiency and save money at state capitol buildings across the nation.”
"Greening State Capitols” will include a two-day auditing process. During the two days, Wal-Mart will send a team of engineers to capitol facilities to analyze lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, programmable technologies, and building structures. After completing the audit, the engineers will create a written report—turnaround time in 3 or 4 weeks—that details the recommended upgrades, their costs, and projected energy savings and impact on the environment.
Wal-Mart will only recommend technologies that give the state a return on investment within 5 years, unless a state specifically asks for a different time frame. At the state’s request, Wal-Mart will use its procurement skills to attract bids from interested companies to facilitate installation of the recommended technologies.
States that take part in the program will hire a team of four to five experts in addition to Wal-Mart’s engineers. The state’s team will help with the audit and implement the recommendations.
"Wal-Mart is committed to sharing what we learn about reducing energy use and increasing building efficiencies,” said Leslie Dach, executive vice president of corporate affairs and government relations for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. “By working with the NGA in a collaborative manner we can help accelerate the deployment of new technologies and best practices while saving states money and protecting the environment.”
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Does WalMart have a C of A in all the states they are soliciting work? How about professional errors and ommissions insurance? Maybe they are just going to "Walmart" their recommendations also. You know, an 85,000 sf store with a left hand TBA, pharmacy, and a garden center. Our profession has become such a commodity that it no longer is perceived as anything other than a necessary evil of the construction process. I had hoped that the new costs of energy would refocus our direction back to professional services, but now it is becoming "Wally World".
Gayle D. Gwinup, P.E. - 3/18/2008 3:14:00 PM CDT -
I sent this email to many of my peers in the HVAC business back on 2/27. This is the 2nd time I've seen an article on Wal-Mart providing free consulting services. I suspect that by providing free services, they get around the competetive bid issue:
On principle, I do not shop at Wal-Mart. The company is disruptive to small business, locally, and provides low paid jobs with little or no benefits. Outside this country, their large purchasing power generates a competition to the bottom that results in every unethical labor practice. Yes…they fill a need for those that need lower priced alternatives…but they also help create the need for lower priced alternatives.
In spite of my feelings, I was quite happy to see Wal-Mart developing low energy facilities. Regardless of their reasons…it maybe strictly PR, it may be to improve operating expense and profitability…doesn’t matter…it’s a good thing.
This article has me conflicted. I applaud any effort to reduce energy consumption…but I hate to see the “Wal-Martization†of the Mechanical Engineering profession. Wal-Mart is now our competitor…I suppose it was just a matter of time.
The work described is being done at no cost to the states. It will include auditing and management of the procurement/installation process using Wal-Mart’s purchasing power to provide lowest possible bid.
So…do you want to work for Wal-Mart?
Mat Waller - 3/14/2008 12:31:00 AM CDT -
Thank you for your comments, James and Sarah. I am in correspondance with the National Governors Assoc. in Washington, D.C. and will get back to you with answers to your questions, and a few that I have, too.
Meanwhile, best wishes to you.
Michael
Michael Ivanovich - 3/13/2008 6:55:00 PM CDT -
This is where engineering has been going in the last ten years anyway. We've become a commodity where the cheapest engineer gets the job. I doubt that these "experts" will be licensed engineers. It will be interesting to watch how the various state boards will react to complaints of the illegal practice of engineering. More likely, since they will be doing this service for the state governments, the boards will be told to look the other way.
Big Don - 3/13/2008 6:53:00 PM CDT -
In addition to that, doesn't state work have to be publicly bid?
Sarah Greff - 3/13/2008 3:34:00 PM CDT
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