Energy Conservation

Current Initiatives

  • Equipment upgrades
    • Lighting Upgrades – Where feasible, all county building renovations are to incorporate efficient lighting standards, including both the fixture selection and the use of light. Recent renovations within the 5th floor of the Bank of America building have achieved a reduction of 2,149 watts of lighting load. This reduction equates to an annual savings of more than 4,000 kWh or $630. The use of task lighting, combined with efficient T-8 fixtures, will not only contribute to energy reduction, but a more favorable work environment.
       
    • Elevator Upgrades - This project is for upgrading the three main elevators at the Courthouse Annex (BOA Building). The existing elevators were installed when the building was constructed 45 years ago (1965). These elevators are functionally obsolete, their electronics consist of open contacts vs. solid-state components, and because of this the elevator units are not energy efficient and remain exceedingly difficult to maintain. An audit was performed of the equipment that recommended energy efficiency upgrades. The proposed upgrades have an energy savings that should pay back the cost of the upgrades within the next 10 to 12 years.
       
    • Traffic Court HVAC upgrade – Currently a study is underway to implement a new energy efficient HVAC technology known as variable refrigerant volume (VRV) for significant energy and cost savings. VRV systems combine one or more centralized, variable speed, air-cooled compressors and condensers connected to fan coil units throughout a building. Each fan coil unit provides heating and cooling on a zone-by-zone basis.
       
  • Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) – The Office of Sustainability is currently working with Capital Area Community Action Agency (CACAA) to develop and implement the weatherization program for Leon County. It was determined that $1.8 million in stimulus funding for Leon County would be distributed to the CACAA. A component of this partnership is the creation of a ‘housing & weatherization coalition’ to bring Leon County and CACAA together with community and construction representatives to spread knowledge and information on weatherization throughout the community.
     
  • Community Weatherization Program - On December 8, 2009, per Board direction, the analysis of a low interest loan program for weatherization of homes in unincorporated Leon County was implemented. The pilot will provide for up to 100 home audits and assess the public interest for participation in a low-interest loan program to implement weatherization enhancements. If a minimum of 1/3 of the pilot participants express interest in pursuing the loan, staff will return to the Board for consideration to establish the revolving loan fund.
     
  • Weatherization of Miccosukee Community Center – The Miccosukee Community Center is the top priority for various weatherization upgrades, because it is the County’s worst performing facility in terms of energy consumption per square foot. The County is working on the assessment of this building to find out which weatherization practices should be implemented and in what order.
     
  • Weatherization of Miccosukee Community Center – The Miccosukee Community Center is the top priority for various weatherization upgrades, because it is the County’s worst performing facility in terms of energy consumption per square foot. The County is working on the assessment of this building to find out which weatherization practices should be implemented and in what order.
     
  • Utility Database – Leon County is working with the City of Tallahassee and Talquin staff to develop an automated data upload report of all monthly utility usage. Once complete, the automated process will allow in-depth analysis of utility usage and trends.
     
  • Eastside Library, LEED Silver – As directed by the Board of County Commissioners, the Eastside Branch Library will be designed and constructed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Staff is working closely with the architectural firm during the design phase to maximize the LEED attributes of the building. At minimum, the Library will be LEED Certified, with the likely result of LEED Silver. County staff is actively pursuing grant funding to enhance the building to LEED Gold. The building is intended to serve as a local demonstration center of creative and functional ways to build sustainably. With this in mind, staff intends to create interactive signage and information to educate visitors, inclusive of both Library patrons and members of the construction industry. The project will incorporate rainwater recapture and provide bicycle storage as part of its sustainable attributes.
     
  • Cooperative Extension demonstration building – The Office of Sustainability works closely with the Cooperative Extension Center to adopt strategies towards building climate change. The group is working to develop the Center as a demonstration building through the incorporation of sustainable attributes. Initiatives will focus on energy conservation and management practices of the building. An analysis of the energy usage and projected water usage was completed by the County. With these results, the Cooperative Extension Center is better prepared to expand their gardening facilities with sustainability in mind. The Center will also implement the collection and management of roof top rain water for the use of the Gardening Program. (More: A storm water catchment/exfiltration site planning and engineering, excluding roof top catchment, will be put in place. A “Best Practices” Plant Selection and Maintenance Program reflecting the impact of climate change for Gardening Demonstration Activities will also be established. And additional activities supporting the Centers direct operation and related educational programs will be put in place at the Center.)
     
  • Building design standards - Currently the County is in the process of forming a “Facilities Design Guidelines” policy which will implement the efficiency of new facilities and also how they are built, and designed. The Office of Sustainability is working on setting specific guidelines that follow a more “green” outlook. Under this policy, construction, renovation and maintenance of buildings must comply with these sustainable guidelines.
     
  • FGBC Green Government Certified - The County is currently pursuing the Green Government certification by the Florida Green Building Coalition. This program was designed to recognize municipalities for outstanding environmental stewardship. A list of criteria is presented, and each is assigned a point value. Ultimately, certification as a Green Local Government will be sought through a point value system that rates various criteria.
     
  • Solar Policy Guidance – Leon County contributed to the Florida Association of Counties’ (FAC) Energy Independence Workgroup to provide insight towards affirmative steps the FAC can take to pursue positive changes in Florida’s solar policies.
     
  • Solar Implementation – Assessment of each County building is currently being pursued to identify the best candidates for solar as well as potential demonstration projects incorporating various forms of solar technology. The demonstration projects are currently being assessed for power production potential and cost analysis. Buildings that are likely candidates are the Courthouse, Facilities Management, and Fleet Management Buildings. The selection of those sites is based on various attributes such as the orientation of the building, tree coverage, and roofing material.
     
  • Green Roof – A potential opportunity to install a “green roof” on the Renaissance building is being explored. The building is jointly occupied by both City and County programs including Growth Management and the Planning Department. City and County staff are working together to determine the feasibility of such a project. This assessment would include not only the estimated cost, but the structural requirements to install and maintain a green roof. An agenda item will be brought to the Board upon staff’s determination of feasibility.
     
  • Carbon Credits - The sale of carbon credits associated with the Landfill gas collection treatment system will be sold on the open market. It is estimated that it will produce a profit of $53,900 annually over the next twenty years. In addition to this innovative effort, staff has pledged to continue seeking additional opportunities to benefit from the sale of carbon credits.
     
    Together, staff of Cooperative Extension, Parks & Recreation, and the Office of Sustainability have begun to investigate opportunities to sell carbon credits as they relate to forested parks property. Trees naturally sequester carbon dioxide from the air, which contributes to the reduction of green house gases. Entities can generate Climate Reserve Tonnes (CRT’s or carbon credits) for the reduction of these green house gases. In turn, these “credits” can be sold to entities that are producing greenhouse gasses as a mitigation of sorts. Portions of the County greenways have been voluntarily reforested over the past several years pursuant to the greenways master plan. These reforested areas can be marketed for carbon credits. However, appropriate and certified technical support will be necessary to accomplish certification and sale of such credits. (more)
     
    (Approximately 365 acres of County Greenways has been identified that could qualify for a carbon-reduction project under the CAR. Generally, a project of this size would be deemed not feasible, as the ratio of fees versus revenue is not advantageous. Commonly, forestry carbon projects require more than 10,000 acres to be profitable and are rarely seen for less than 1,000 acres. However, staff has identified an opportunity to partner with a local company who is prepared to offer services at a drastically reduced rate. Technical support would be provided by a local firm, LandMark Systems, for the development and management of the proposed project. LandMark is a leading international provider of professional services, applications, and technical products to both public and private entities engaged in forestry and natural resource management internationally. Without a partnership, technical support can become costly and detract from the profitability of the reduction project. Proposed fees would include no profit and only cover a minimal amount of the company’s invested overhead cost.
     
    LandMark has conducted a pre-feasibility analysis, at no charge, to examine the potential cash flow and carbon credit benefits over a 20-year scenario. Preliminary findings suggest that, if structured correctly, this project could generate an average net benefit of $9,000 annually after necessary fees and management costs are paid. The project is estimated to net more than $70,000 in revenue for Leon County over the 20-year period. Click here to view the Carbon Offset Project Summary & Projected Revenue.)