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New
Strategies Save Estimated $2.5 Million in Utility Costs
Clark
County
is racking up significant utility cost savings since
embarking on an aggressive energy management program in
recent years.
At
the request of Clark County Commission Chairman Rory
Reid, staff from the Department of Real Property
Management presented a report today documenting several
energy efficiency strategies the county has undertaken
since August 2003. The
County
Commission
has allocated $1 million in funding each year since 2003
to beef up energy conservation efforts throughout 600
county buildings and facilities.
Real
Property Management Director Sandy Norskog said the
additional funding allowed the county to buy equipment
and materials that have lead to direct reductions in
electricity and natural gas costs. Highlights include:
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The installation of
automated building control systems to maintain room
temperatures at 70 to 75 degrees in county
facilities. The system also ensures temperatures are
set back 5 to 10 degrees at night, on weekends and
on holidays. The county estimated that implementing
these strategies has resulted in approximately
$800,000 alone in annual energy cost savings.
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The conversion of new
energy-efficient traffic lights throughout the
county.
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Retrofit projects at county
parks to replace inefficient lighting systems.
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The purchase of a
comprehensive energy management information system.
The $500,000 system is designed to verify, audit and
authorize payment of all electric, natural gas,
propane and non-automotive diesel bills. It also
will generate reports for staff to set priorities
and grade buildings on energy usage. The first phase
of the system goes into effect in March 2007.
Full implementation is set to begin this summer.
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The installation of a
30-kilowatt solar system at Spring Mountain Youth
Camp to offset purchases of electricity from Nevada
Power.
“I
think this report shows that sometimes you have to spend
money to save money, especially when it comes to energy
conservation,” Reid explained. “
Clark
County
is setting a strong example in achieving its energy
conservation goals. I’m looking forward to seeing even
more gains in the future.”
Real
Property Management oversees the maintenance and
construction of county facilities. Norskog said her
staff continually looks for ways to reduce energy costs,
promote the use of renewable sources of energy and
implement other parts of the county’s energy
management plan.
“As
we put new energy conservation measures into place at
existing properties, we also integrate those into
designs for any new facilities we have coming on
line,” Norskog said. “We definitely have our eye on
the future, and a number of exciting initiatives under
way.”
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