Saving money and energy
Capital Electric - May 1, 2011
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Jason Hageness, president of Harlow's Bus Sales, says the company has done a lot to improve the electrical efficiency of its operation. One recent improvement, on behalf of Harlowe's--a Capital business consumer--was taking advantage of the North Dakota Utility Rebate Program. |
CO-OP MEMBER UPGRADES LIGHTS FOR ENERGY SAVINGS AND REBATE
Electric co-op members across the state have been enjoying the benefits of cash rebates on energy-efficient improvements for more than a year now. The North Dakota Utility Rebate Program, made possible with federal stimulus funds, is being managed for cooperative members through the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. The program involves rebates on many energy-efficient products for consumers' homes or places of business, including the installation of replacement lighting systems. The rebate amount for lighting is based on the level of efficiency gained and is paid at a rate of 40 cents per-watt saved.
One of Capital Electric's long-time business consumers, Harlow's Bus Sales, is making use of the rebate program and in the meantime saving money on the electricity used to light its new building. The company is in the process of moving its operations to an existing building in south Bismarck that was recently vacated by another co-op business consumer, Westcon, Inc. The building and adjacent lot provides the space Harlow's needs for bus storage and service. The building also has considerable office space for staff and room to grow. The new location will also feature improved road access for the company's fleet of school buses and motorcoaches.
Jason Hageness, company president, said prior to Harlow's relocating, staff discussed the new building's lighting and determined it was insufficient for their needs. They decided to replace all existing light fixtures and add a considerable number of new, more energy-efficient light fixtures as they remodeled.
Because of the available rebate and the opportunity to gain energy efficiency, they are also looking into new lights for the offices in the building. Jason indicates the North Dakota Utility Rebate Program is making it more affordable to complete the entire project.
"We have done a lot over the years to improve electrical efficiency in our operation. We have timers on all of the equipment so they run only as needed. There are a lot of buses in our lot that need to be plugged in during the winter, and the timers really help keep the electricity costs down," Jason relates.
Doug Mork, Capital Electric's member services director, says he is pleased to see consumers taking advantage of the rebate program. "Beyond the rebate, they should save a considerable amount on electric demand and energy charges. They will reduce the number of kilowatt hours they use and lower the capacity (demand) requirements on our system. It's a win-win situation for them and other businesses that make the change to more efficient lighting," Mork explains.
Capital Electric will be upgrading the electric service to Harlow's new location from single-phase to three-phase underground. According to Staking Engineer Mike Berg, "The lines that feed that location are single-phase lines coming from the southwest along 22nd Street. We will be changing that to underground, as well as upgrading Harlow's existing transformer and running a single-phase underground line to their bus parking area." Upgrading this service will be a great benefit to Harlow's as they will be able to keep their fleet of buses plugged in all winter.
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Harlow's is the contractor that provides the rural and city school busing for Bismarck. |
A true family business
Harlow's Bus Sales, Inc., was founded in 1966 by Jason's father, Harlow Hageness, in Rolette. Harlow began his career as a mechanic for a bus company and later bought that family business. At that time, Harlow had the busing contract for the local school district and also sold school buses in North and South Dakota. In 1980, Harlow moved to Bismarck and began doing business. Since that time, Harlow's has moved into Montana, Idaho and Washington, and has 20 locations in all. They have 85 full-time employees and close to 600 in all.
Many people may not know that Harlow's is the contractor that provides the rural and city school busing for the city of Bismarck. "We provide a turn-key operation and handle everything relating to the busing service for the local school district," explains Jason. "They trust us to do what we do best and we leave the education process up to them," he says with a smile.
Harlow's is most well-known for their motorcoach charters, but they have multiple business entities including school bus, motorcoach and people mover sales and service. They have recently become an affiliated partner with Trailways, one of the largest motorcoach companies in North America.
Harlow Hageness is now 68 years old and is chairman of the board for Harlow's. As company president, Jason operates the day-to-day operations of the multi-state business. Another brother, Jeremy, has been with the company for 18 years and currently manages operations in Libby, Mont. The third brother in the business is Justin, who just started out and is working in the Dickinson service center.
Electric cooperative members can take advantage of the North Dakota Utility Rebate Program through December 2011 or until the funds have been depleted. For more information contact the member services department at Capital Electric at (701) 223-1513 or visit www.ndarec.com and click on Utility Rebate Program.