Tulsa World: Energy efficiency a first step, candidate says

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Energy efficiency a first step, candidate says
Bartlett cites soaring costs, says savings could benefit police and other departments.

By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
Published: 10/14/2009 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 10/14/2009 5:00 AM

Tulsa Elections: Read bios of candidates for mayor, City Council and city auditor and view a map of City Council districts.

Republican mayoral candidate Dewey Bartlett Jr. said Tuesday that the city should control its energy costs to make more funds available for public safety and other priorities.

"We need real solutions to the problems we face, and energy efficiency can be a first step," he said at a press conference.

The city's energy costs from fiscal year 2002 to 2006 soared from $12.7 million to $23.7 million, Bartlett pointed out.

"If we could save just $1.5 million annually, we could add multiple new police officers and firefighters," he said.

If elected, Bartlett said, he would see that an energy audit is conducted involving all city facilities and the employees who use them so that a plan of action can be developed to make the city more efficient.

He also said the city should convert as many public vehicles as possible to compressed natural gas.

Bartlett, the Keener Oil & Gas president, has turned to alternative energy at his office building at 16th Street and Boston Avenue.

The building is powered by 19 solar photovoltaic rooftop panels. It was a $40,000 investment by his company that shaves nearly 30 percent from the monthly energy bill.

"Sometimes you have to think outside

the box, and sometimes you have to make the right business decisions," he said. "I believe that's where we are as a city. We need to be innovative but smart."

Bartlett will face Democrat Tom Adelson and independents Mark Perkins and Lawrence Kirkpatrick in the Nov. 10 general election.

Brian Barber 581-8322
brian.barber@tulsaworld.com By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Tulsa mayoral candidate Bartlett talks about energy costs," which was published on 10/13/2009.

	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (10/13/2009 6:22:22 PM) Mark Perkins is a republican running as an Independent because he couldn't win the republican primary. He's a life long republican. So basically the republicans have two hats in this race.
	Report Comment dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (10/14/2009 9:13:21 AM) Voting for the status quo is a vote for waste, pet projects and fiscal irresponsibility. Vote Mark Perkins and give a new face a shot.
	Report Comment dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (10/14/2009 9:17:08 AM) Just read "Common sense's" statement. Let me take it a step further. In Los Angeles, while they still have a terrible pollution problem they have cut pollution by 50% over the past 15 years. One thing they did was furnish company parking spots to all who ride share. For free. Those who did not ride share got no parking spot at all and had to pay in outside parking garages, lots, etc.. I also agree that using company vehicles for personal business is a problem in this city.
	Report Comment olddude, tulsa (10/13/2009 5:17:39 PM) Vote for Mark Perkins he is the only non-polition
	Report Comment nuffsaid, Tulsa (10/13/2009 4:17:14 PM) Vote for Bartlett!
	Report Comment tulsa_common_sense, tulsa (10/13/2009 8:51:45 PM) converting the vehicles to nat gas will cost over a grand a vehicle. on top of that you get 1/4 the mileage. investing in employee's to ride share instead of having 1 person per vehicle will net better results. turning lights off in buildings where lights arnt needed during the day hours in a all glass building will also help. turning up or down the thermostats will also help. no reason temp should be above 68 in winter and under 75 in summer. making the elevators in the building where its on the 15th floor be able to choose the 14th floor to be stopped. use the stairs unless your in need of physical assistance they can allow that capability through the badging system. ensuring vehicles arnt used except for business use. IE no running to the store. make the employee's pay for parking. start writing tickets for city vehicles for illegally being parked. you have to clean up your own backyard before you force others to clean up.
	Report Comment Nudus, (10/13/2009 4:40:01 PM) Vote for Bartlett? Give me a break. I cannot stand him or Adelson. Vote for the independent. He can't hurt our city any more than Bartlett or Adelson. Maybe that will get politicians to stop the negative attack ads. I am so sick of their ads and look forward to them both going down in defeat.
	Report Comment Whirled Peas, (10/14/2009 2:14:17 PM) Cops just taking home vehicles isnt as bad as the cops who leave them running in their driveways all day.
	Report Comment Loophole, (10/13/2009 4:51:54 PM) How about doing away with take home city vehicles that the city must insure, provide gas, oil, maintenance for non-city use? How about getting rid of the non-essential gas guzzling SUV's that city employees are driving? How about turning off those lights in City Hall when nobody's in the area? How about switching to energy efficient lighting? How about programmable thermostats in city offices? Need I go on?

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