Recent Efforts
- Renewable Energy – Solar electric system
- Energy Conservation – lighting retrofits, HVAC improvements, efficient motors, LED traffic signals, etc.Reduced facilities energy use by 25% over the last 2 years
- 30% Recycled Content Office Paper – Over 13,000 reams (450 tons) purchased each year
- Fleet Fuel Efficiency – Hybrid technology, regular maintenance, alternative fuels
One of the most recent projects supported by Council was the solar electric system at the yard. The system has cut the City’s electric bill by $25,000 and it produces about 45% of the electricity at the yard. We actually just received our first annual report for the system and it shows that the system is producing 116% of the energy predicted. So it is performing better than expected. The City also operates a "co-generation" unit at the City’s wastewater treatment plant, which uses waste gas from the facility to power an electrical turbine. The turbine generates enough electricity to provide 40% of the electricity used at the wastewater plant.
We also recently completed an extensive lighting retrofit at City Hall, P/F, the Maintenance Yard and the parking structures and installed energy efficient pumps and motors on the HVAC systems at City Hall and Police/Fire. The Water Division has also been upgrading old pumps to improve efficiency. All of these projects were made possible with the help of the Regional Energy Alliance. City has also installed LED traffic signals, LED exit signs, and energy saving devices for our vending machines.
Although electrical use and fuel use are our biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, the City has other green practices that reduce green house gas emissions.
For example, by using 30% post consumer recycled paper we not only reduce the number of trees needed to produce our paper, we also reduce the amount of greenhouse gases throughout the life-cycle of the paper.
Finally, the City has made the choice to purchase hybrid vehicles whenever possible. The City has 9 hybrid vehicles that reduce gas use, save on fuel costs, and reduce emissions. And we should have 15 by the end of the year.
Our fleet maintenance crew also keeps the cars tuned and checks tire pressure to ensure that all vehicles are getting the best gas mileage possible.