He speaks of wax-covered refrigerator thermostats, pinkie-sized fluorescent bulbs that need no ballast and energy adapters that can make a drinking fountain, escalator and even a rock crusher run more efficiently.

"There are two types of green," Isom said. "The green for the environment and the green for your pocket. This accomplishes both."

As Salt Lake County touts an environmental agenda sprinkled with rooftop solar panels and a mayoral pledge to cut government's energy and water use 20 percent, Isom is chasing the green dream as founder of sEnergy Technologies - the South Salt Lake-based energy-savings shop at 3780 S. West Temple that organized the Lights Off Utah initiative last fall.

The company whittles watts from street lamps, air conditioners and freezers. It also boasts light bulbs that burn brighter at a fraction of the cost and markets innovations such as the eCube thermostat (encased in wax) that mimic food temperature rather than air temperature to keep a refrigerator from turning on too often.

"They are definitely progressive and committed to energy efficiency," said Sarah Wright, executive director of the advocacy alliance Utah Clean Energy.

"They aren't just doing this as a way to make a living, but because they are passionate about it," she said.

Although sEnergy's products undoubtedly meet environmental muster, its approach has less to do with saving the planet than with shaving power bills.

Its compact fluorescent bulbs can generate a 1,000-watt glow at just a third of the power. Its energy adapters make a refrigerator up to 25 percent more efficient by more closely regulating its electrical flow. Its finger-thin T5 fluorescent bulbs (slipped into a reflective sleeve that can operate without a ballast) can provide the same lighting with 60 percent less energy than a larger T12 fixture.

"We are looking to put Utah on the map for energy-saving technologies," said Spencer Freedman, vice president of sales and marketing.

Salt Lake County already is moving in that direction with plans to cover its libraries, office buildings and even the Salt Palace Convention Center with solar arrays.

Mayor Peter Corroon has announced efforts to retrofit government buildings with energy-efficient equipment and to require any new construction to meet green-building standards.

The Clark Planetarium has become a county poster child for change, having cut its energy use almost 10 percent by changing light bulbs, turning off computers and setting its exhibits on timers. A rooftop solar energy system is planned for the star shop this summer.

That's just the beginning. Legislation is afoot at the state Capitol to offer financial incentives to environmentally minded home builders, tax credits for purchasers of low-pollution vehicles and greater size allowances for privately installed solar and wind systems.

"It just makes sense," Wright said. "We are starting to get smart about energy and realizing that our fossil resources aren't infinite."

jstettler@sltrib.com

Power bills

Utah lawmakers will consider several green initiatives this legislative session, including the following:

* Incentive for highly efficient homes and retrofits: Would provide a financial perk for builders to exceed Utah's existing energy code in constructing new homes. The bill also would reward people who retrofit their homes with energy-efficient windows, insulation, boilers and air-conditioning units.

* Clean-vehicle tax credit: HB106 would provide tax credits for residents who buy a low-emissions vehicle or convert an existing automobile to run on an alternative fuel such as natural gas.

* Renewable-Energy Development Zones Task Force: Would identify areas and strategies for expanding wind, solar, geothermal and biomass power generation.

* Net metering amendment: Would allow Utahns to connect larger solar, wind and renewable-energy systems to the power grid. The move would enable Salt Lake County to install a 1.8-megawatt solar array atop the Salt Palace and provide for comparable commercial systems.

Note: Not all bills have been numbered yet.

Source: Utah Clean Energy