AEP Ohio representative guest speaker for monthly event

The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce hosted its first 4th Friday luncheon of 2016 for the month of February Friday at the Ironton Knights of Columbus, where AEP Ohio energy advisor Doug Hood spoke as the guest speaker.

Hood, who has over a decade of experience in the utility industry covering industrial account management, demand response and energy efficiency, spoke about energy efficiency programs AEP Ohio offers to business customers with incentives for energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling, refrigeration, motors, custom projects and process improvement.

The programs Hood talked about included the small business express program, for small businesses using 200,000 kWh/year or less, or less than a 100 kW demand annually; the data centers program, for businesses with an IT load; a new construction/renovation program, for building owners, architects, designers and engineers; the prescriptive program, for businesses with energy-saving projects; the self-direct program, for commercial and industrial customers whose annual electricity usage is greater than 700,000 k/Wh; the continuous energy improvement program, for manufacturers, warehouses, hospitals and universities; the custom program, for businesses considering the installation; and retrocommissioning, for business owners and managers who have existing commercial facilities greater than 50,000 square feet.

Hood served as the guest speaker as AEP Ohio is looking to partner with the people of Lawrence County.

New members that were named to the Chamber of Commerce were All Nestled Inn FCC, Intermountain Electronics, the Lawrence County Health and Wellness Initiative, Quality Metal Roofing, Tri-State Surgery Center, United Talent LLC and Velocity Telecommunications.

Upcoming Chamber of Commerce events include the March 4th Friday luncheon on March 25 at the Ohio University Southern Proctorville Center, with State Representatives Terry Johnson and Ryan Smith and State Senators Bob Peterson and Joe Uecker speaking; the April 4th Friday luncheon on April 22 at Ohio University Southern in Ironton with OUS Dean Nicole Pennington speaking; and Lawrence County Legislative Day in Columbus on Wednesday, May 11.