A Plan for Energy | Green Energy News

May 4, 2008 – Vol.13 No.7

A PLAN FOR ENERGY. (Page 2)

Commercial and Industrial Sector Strategies:

--- PACE EnergySmart Project. Even with financial incentives and free energy audits, small- and mid-sized businesses have difficulty finding the time to implement energy-efficiency projects. Early Action: Remove implementation barriers through the guidance of energy experts.

--- Green Building Codes and Ordinances for New and Existing Commercial Buildings. Action: In partnership with municipal and county building officials, create building codes requiring the high performance of new and existing commercial buildings.

--- Combined Heat and Power. Action: Explore the opportunities for CHP and methane capture in food processing, beverage, and other industries.

--- Western States Climate Initiative. Five governors from Western states agreed to work together to create a regional “cap-and-trade program.” A similar system is close to being implemented among 7 Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Action: Encourage Colorado’s participation.

--- Statewide Lighting Efficiency Standard. Action: Support legislation establishing a statewide minimum energy efficiency standard for lighting.

--- Net Zero Energy Commercial Buildings. Using a combination of renewable power and high-efficiency products, commercial buildings are poised to become net zero energy users. Action: Encourage the implementation of additional net zero energy buildings.

--- Net Zero Electric Industrial Plants High. Efficiency applications, solar power, and methane recovery are the key ingredients necessary for an industrial plant to produce more energy than it uses. Action: Identify opportunities for and encourage the implementation of net zero electric industrial plants.

Government Sector Strategies:

--- Anti-Idling Controls and Policies. Unnecessary idling of government vehicles wastes fuel, leads to unnecessary air pollution, reduces engine life, and increases maintenance costs. Action: Enable a 5-minute auto shutoff control and implement anti-idling policy for all appropriately equipped county and municipal vehicles.

--- Green or Light-Colored Roofs. Action: Promote light, white, or “green” surfacing.

--- Light Emitting Diode (LED) Traffic Signals. Action: Complete replacement of incandescent traffic and crosswalk signals with LEDs.

--- Leadership in Efficient Public Buildings. Through codes,standards, policies, or ordinances, public buildings will be required to achieve a higher level of efficiency than the private sector building codes or ordinances envisioned in this plan. Action: Make new and existing municipal and county buildings leaders in energy efficiency.

--- Goal Setting. Action: Encourage all local governments within Boulder County to adopt a greenhouse gas reduction goal.

--- ClimateSmart – Early Action Continue to grow and implement the ClimateSmart program already in place in Boulder.

--- Municipal and County Energy Management Plans. Action: Work with municipal and county facilities managers to implement energy-efficiency management plans.

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