Cities worldwide are launching energy efficiency initiatives to reduce costs, eliminate waste and boost long-term sustainability. To ensure these campaigns are successful, city leaders must prepare to overcome certain barriers with proven strategies. Gov1 recently hosted a roundtable event where local leaders discussed trends and best practices in energy efficiency and sustainability at the local level.
What Is In The Way
Each municipality has its own strategies and goals for achieving energy efficiency and greater sustainability in the future. While the campaigns may be unique, there are often common obstacles that stand in the way of success.
In Oak Park, Michigan, for example, the city is working to drive down utility costs to the lowest point in history while repurposing all fixed assets and facilities with energy efficient amenities. The city’s strategy sets both short- and long-term goals that center on existing infrastructure.
“By targeting our fixed assets, we can more easily plan and calculate our needs, our costs and our savings,” Erik Tungate, City Manager of Oak Park, told Gov1.
Tungate explains the most common obstacles to achieving these energy efficiency results are either legislative or the underlying cost to change.
“Legislative because oftentimes legislation has not caught up with the ever-changing sector and cost because the typical “upfront” costs of purchasing energy efficient products are higher than conventional ones,” Tungate told Gov1.
Battle Creek, Michigan, is also working to proactively make infrastructure more efficient before major, costly repairs are required. To reduce waste and eventually achieve energy independence, the city is working to improve its energy planning processes. Kurt Tribbett, Engineering Administrator for the city of Battle Creek, cites upfront costs and dedicating time to energy efficiency projects are typical barriers to success.
“Dedicating time from daily operations to planning has been one of the biggest obstacles to overcome, but we’re convinced that taking some time now for planning will free up operation time in the future and, therefore, some overtime will be required at the start,” Tribbett told Gov1.
Similarly, Ottawa County in Michigan has a wide-reaching energy efficiency push in progress that includes spending $5.4 million on equipment replacements, lighting upgrades and water conservation measures. To drive operational savings and long-term sustainability, the county had to acquire adequate funding.
“I was fortunate to get the funding I needed, but others aren’t always as lucky!” Rick VandeKerkhoff, Facilities Director for the County of Ottawa, told Gov1. “Consistent funded and rebates would be appreciated from state and federal funding incentive programs.”
Bypassing Barriers
In a recent report from Environment America, many major U.S. cities have adopted energy efficiency policies to encourage innovation and investment in sustainability including:
- Streamlining the permitting process for new energy technology
- Removing local barriers to clean energy adoption
- Expanding access to renewable energy resources
- Partnering with local utilities
In Battle Creek, Tribbett explains the city will use meticulous planning and auditing to account for all cost savings achieved through current and potential energy efficiency projects. These cost savings can be calculated by looking at reductions in time, material and labor used. Battle Creek plans to hire consultants to study energy use and implement changes where it makes the most sense in achieving specific goals.
According to Tungate, one way to overcome barriers to energy efficiency is through education about the core issues of sustainability and cost savings.
“Our political and business leaders would carry out a mission to educate the general public about the benefits to our environment, our economy and even our morality,” Tungate told Gov1.
VandeKerkhoff agrees with Tungate, in that – aside from increased funding sources - education on the short- and long-term benefits of energy efficiency investments will help increase buy-in, financial support and community collaboration. This community and employee outreach includes outlining the overall goals as well as specific strategies to accomplish them.
“The pace of information is not going to slow down so how will we filter the good, long-term ideas from the chaff? Research shared at universities and colleges, as well as local government internships,” VandeKerkhoff told Gov1. “I think when you combine a young person’s energy and a seasoned professional’s experience, great things can happen.”
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