Making Hennepin County a Cool County

Hennepin County

What is Cool Counties?

A pledge to take action on Climate Change– Inventory greenhouse gas emissions from internal operations

– Implement policies and programs to reduce emissions

– Coordinate efforts with Minnesota State departments

– Support state legislation that is consistent with Hennepin County’s goals

– Urge action at the federal level to reduce emissions

Why Join Cool Counties?

Minnesota has already codified strict GHG reductions

Enhances existing HC policies & programs for energy efficiency

Ensures measurement & documentation of HC’s emission reductions

Provides direction to county departments

Minnesota Goals Compared to Cool Counties

GHG Emission Reduction Goals

0102030405060708090

100

2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050Year

% G

oal

Cool CountyMN

Compile an accurate emissions inventory

– Create emissions baseline and past 3-5 years accomplishments

– 86 owned facilities, 57 leased facilities, 676 vehicles

– Establish recordkeeping requirements and protocols; identify responsible parties

– Recommend reductions from County operations

– Review & Assess GHG monitoring and reporting protocols

– Identify federal, state & other grant opportunities

• Based on self-reporting by individual departments in early 2008. Emissions not accounted for include: ex City libraries, corrections, tax forfeit property, or scope 3 emissions.

• 2007 Emissions:Direct 195,841

Indirect 70,475

2007

Libraries 4,971

Mobile sources 6,693*

Leased Buildings 8,226

Property Services 49,307

Energy Center 37,115

HERC 160,004*

Total (metric tons) 266,316

* = anthropogenic

Hennepin County CO2 emissions

Renewable Energy Projects

Solar array at Public Works building

Wind Turbine at Public Works building

Hennepin County Wind Turbine Project

1.5-2 MW wind turbine at PW Facility in Medina – Clean Renewable Energy Bond awarded by IRS

– Wind analysis completed by WindLogics

– Project has Planned Unit Development (PUD) approval by City

– RFP issued February 4, 2009

Solar energy projects

Medina Public Works Building 80 kW– Panels mounted on beams above the roof– 528 modules 185 watts each– Completion in late February 2009

Transportation

Increased percentage of bio-diesel

Shared E85 fueling station with City of Minneapolis

Adopted a new idling policy

Downsizing vehicles

8 hybrids, 186 flex fuel, 175 biodiesel

Experimenting with nitrogen filled tires

Converted 36 signals to LEDs, saving over 400,000 kWh / year

HERC

• Constructed a steam line to the new Ball Park

• Signed a Joint Energy Efficiency Plan with Xcel, including turbine replacement with potential annual savings of 15,000,000 kWh

Employee Programs

All printers default to double-sided copying

Telecommuting, 2011 employees in 2007

Subsidized transit passes to encourage use of public transportation

Outreach & Community Involvement

• Launched a Cool County web site

• Host an annual Cool County Fair

• Produce a Green Notes e-newsletter

Buildings

Government Center

1,501,950 sq. ft.

$2,970,000 in utilities/yr

3000 employees

20,000 tons of CO2 /yr

13 tons CO2 /1000 sq. ft.

Recommissioning HCGC

Study done in 2007, implementation in progress

10 year or less payback

Cost to implement ECO’s is $650,000

Energy savings estimated at $200,000 annually

Overall payback is 3.25 years

CO2 reduction of 1,800 tons annually

The ECO’s

13%37%

50%

LightingControlsHVAC

Big Ticket Items

Lighting controls in courtrooms $20,000

Outside air adjustments $65,000

Reduce airflow when heating $20,000

Communication room transfer fans $25,000

Current Plan

Temperature set points 69°F and 75°F

Eliminate personal appliances

Expedite recommissioning of all buildings – Central Library study underway– HCMC completed– Remaining buildings

Continue to update controls systems

Replace old HVAC systems

Lighting, lighting, lighting

Lighting

Relamping from 32w to 25w tubes

Fixture upgrades

Occupancy sensors

County Government Initiative– One-stop lighting surveys– Increased rebates

Lighting Savings

Relamping libraries

220,000 kWh reduced so far

15-25% electrical cost savings

60% discount with CGI rebate

1 year payback

Reduction of 200 tons CO2 annually

New Libraries

Plymouth and Maple Grove Libraries

Geothermal heating and cooling

Daylighting

Automated lighting controls

Premium efficiency motors

Green roof

Permeable pavers

Native building materials

Questions?

byAndrew Leith

andrew.leith@co.hennepin.mn.usand

Leah Hinikerleah.hiniker@co.hennepin.mn.us