Energy Efficiency Programs are an Enabler of Growth

Nonprofit Theater Enters Year Debt-Free with Help of SWEPCO's Efficiency Program

The Story

Atop a wooden ladder higher than some homes, standing on a ledge less than two feet wide, handyman David "Boudreaux" Fusilier has been changing bulbs for the past 14 years to ensure the lighting is just right for every show at the Strand.

From vaudeville in the 1920s to Broadway shows in 2020, the Strand Theatre in Shreveport, Louisiana, has a grand history, though at times, it's traveled a rocky financial road. The historic theater had closed before, and in 2019 it was in danger of closing again, as a result of mounting debt and deferred maintenance. With the help of generous donors and a full LED lighting upgrade through Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), an American Electric Power company, the Strand entered 2020 debt-free for the first time in its history.

Using $13,000 in incentives, the Strand upgraded 2,000 light bulbs to ENERGY STAR® and DesignLights Consortium® (DLC) certified LED bulbs in offices, the auditorium, dressing rooms, the lobby, foyer, storage rooms, and the box office. The marquee alone used 500 bulbs, and another 99 were used in the 14-foot grand chandelier, the centerpiece of the 2,500-seat theater's auditorium.

The LEDs allowed the theater to install fewer bulbs overall and Fusilier, not a fan of heights, hopes to not have to change a bulb for the next 5 to 10 years. Moreover, the ongoing savings from the more energy-efficient LEDs will allow the Strand to invest in other deferred maintenance like painting and other renovations.

The Strand Theatre is one of many customers that benefit from SWEPCO's Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs each year. Last year, participating businesses saved an estimated $3,564,000 on utility bills and helped avoid an estimated 27.5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions and other air pollutants that can exacerbate respiratory disease [over 30 million lbs of sulfur dioxide, 33 million lbs of nitrogen oxides (NOX), and 3.6 million lbs of particulate matter (PM_2.5].

The Talking Point

The broader economic effects—what our customers do with that extra money—appeals to regulators and other stakeholders. Businesses can enhance productivity and retain workers, while the cost savings get reinvested in other projects or grow the bottom line.

The Value and Audience

SWEPCO chose the pillar of energy efficiency as an enabler of growth because it knows how powerful energy savings can be in helping to support the financial well-being of its nonprofit customers and the broader community.

Organizations like the Strand Theatre, a beloved and historic institution, are often hard-pressed to make ends meet. Freeing up monthly and annual funding earmarked for utility bills enables them to concentrate on their core mission, as well as address other needs. This story provides a prime example of the cascading and lasting economic benefits of energy efficiency and can be persuasive to regulators and other stakeholders in justifying funding for efficiency programs.

"Anything we can do to reduce cost and maintenance is valuable, since our building dates back to 1925. The energy efficiency program from SWEPCO is incredibly helpful for nonprofits like ours."
Jennifer Hill, Executive Director for the Strand Theatre

The Broader Impact

The SWEPCO Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs provide incentives to help customers in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas reduce peak demand and annual energy use. Last year, nearly 1,200 customers took advantage of this program, with an estimated savings of over 36,700,000 kWh.

Commercial and Industrial Customers Served:

1,1741 customers in 2019
4,135 customers since program inception [2015]

Average Annual Energy Savings:

36,721,985 kWh per year
$3,672,199 per year

Annual Avoided Air Pollution:

27,523,250 tons carbon dioxide
30,085,310 lbs sulfur dioxide
33,005,930 lbs nitrogen oxides
3,680,130 lbs particulate matter (PM_2.5)

The Details

The Strand Theatre received $13,000 in incentives that allowed it to upgrade approximately 2,000 light sockets with ENERGY STAR® and DLC® certified LED bulbs.

Energy Efficiency Investment