City of Boulder Operations/
Facilities FAQs
Q: I’ve heard about the many programs that the city of Boulder is offering the community to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But what is the city doing to meet the Climate Action Plan target in its own facilities?
A: The City has committed to a number of goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations. The city is pursuing efficiency as a primary focus and alternative energy sources as a second step. Here are some of the highlights:
- Over the last six years the city has spent over $2 million on energy efficiency improvements for its buildings. Improvements include efficient lighting, insulation, upgraded heating/cooling systems, and window replacement. Benefits include increased employee or visitor comfort and lowered energy use and costs.
- The city’s energy use has remained relatively flat over the last eight years and in 2006 electricity use and natural gas use were 15 percent and 5 percent less than the city's peak consumption years.
- Half of the city’s traffic signals are high-efficiency LED lamps that reduce energy and maintenance costs and 700 lamps will be replaced soon.
- The city is installing solar electric panels in two locations. At the 75th Street Wastewater Treatment Facility the city is installing one megawatt of solar which will provide 20 to 25 percent of the facility’s electricity needs. In addition, the city is installing solar on the roof of the Reynolds Branch library on Table Mesa Drive. This system will provide about 30 percent of the library’s needs.
- Xcel Energy rebates have been important in reducing the costs for the energy efficient equipment and solar systems. Xcel launched a commercial energy audit program in October and the city is planning to request Xcel’s low-cost energy audits for 10 to 20 facilities in 2008
Q: What is the city doing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its employee transportation and vehicle fleets?
A: The city is using the three rules of transportation greenhouse gas emission reduction:
- drive less
- drive efficient vehicles, and
- use renewable fuels
The city provides all employees with an Eco Pass to encourage commuting to work and meetings by bus. Once employees get to work they have access to pool bikes and cars for meetings that require a car.
To reduce vehicle miles traveled in city operations, the city has set annual mileage budgets and has consistently kept mileage below that budget. The city also uses the following alternative fuels and high efficiency vehicles: E85 ethanol fuel, B20 biodiesel fuel, propane, CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and hybrid vehicles. Currently, 65% of new vehicle purchases are alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles and the city is exploring the possibility of expanding that percentage. The combination of these efforts has allowed the city organization to reduce its transportation greenhouse gas emissions to a level below the 2012 Kyoto goal.