City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 16, 2019
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration to Join the U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Challenge Program.
BODY
ISSUE: Joining the U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Challenge Program.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council support the City Manager’s signing of the U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Challenge Partnership Agreement for the City of Alexandria to join as a Better Buildings Challenge Partner.
DISCUSSION: The U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Challenge is a national leadership initiative which aims to improve energy efficiency in buildings by 20 percent or more over 10 years. In so doing, the U.S. Department of Energy seeks to support a nationwide effort to reduce energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support energy efficiency job creation. The Better Buildings Challenge promotes collaborative work across public and private sector organizations to share and replicate positive actions to improve energy efficiency in building portfolios.
By joining as a Partner, the City agrees to make a public pledge to improve energy intensity of its entire building portfolio by at least 20 percent in 10 years. The Environmental Action Plan 2040’s Energy Efficiency Target 2.2.4 states “By FY 2027, implement energy efficiency strategies in City facilities and operations to reduce energy use by, at minimum, 25 percent over FY 2018 usage.” As such, the City pledges to:
“Reduce energy use intensity by 25% over a FY 2018 baseline by FY 2027.”
This pledge is further supported by implementation of the 2019 Green Building Policy update’s development standards and renovations directives.
Moreover, by joining as a Partner the City agrees to take action by displaying a showcase project, for which the City has numerous. Those under consideration include various lighting and HVAC energy efficiency projects at libraries, recreation centers, and the DASH Administration building to name a few.
Finally, as a Partner, the City agree to share information on energy efficiency project implementation and share energy performance data to document progress towards achieving the public pledge. Such effort is already part of the City’s Eco-City Indicators, performance metric, and greenhouse gas emissions inventory reporting processes.
As part of joining the Better Buildings Challenge as a Partner, the U.S. Department of Energy agrees to assist in providing the City technical assistance and energy efficiency implementation models to support the measurement, tracking, and improvement of the City’s energy performance; connect the City with other energy efficiency stakeholders and partners; and support and recognize the City’s successes in achieving energy efficiency milestones and achieving energy efficiency results, as well as recognize partners who leverage, develop, and share innovative and cost-effective energy efficiency implementation models.
Locally, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) and Alexandria Renew Enterprises (ARE) are Better Building’s Partners as well as various associations and private commercial buildings. Regionally, Arlington County government, the District of Columbia government, and Montgomery County, MD government are also Partners in addition to many commercial, education, and other organizations.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no cost to join the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Building Challenge as a Partner. Costs to achieve the City’s pledge of reducing energy use by 25% over a FY 2018 baseline by FY 2027 is reflected in the budget considerations for the Environmental Action Plan 2040 Energy Efficiency Target (2.2.4) as part of the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Moreover, costs associated with the City’s compliance with the 2019 Green Building Policy update will support achieving the City’s pledge as part of joining the Better Buildings Challenge.
ATTACHMENT: U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Challenge Partner Agreement
STAFF:
Joanna Anderson, City Attorney
Laura Triggs, Deputy City Manager
David Lanier, Assistant City Attorney
Jeremy McPike, Director, Department of General Services
Bill Eger, Energy Manager, Department of General Services
Jessica Frech, Energy Management Analyst, Department of General Service
Donna Poillucci, Deputy Director, Department of General Services
William Miner, Division Chief, Department of General Services
Yon Lambert, Director, Transportation & Environmental Services
Ellen Eggerton, Sustainability Coordinator, Transportation & Environmental Services