OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN LAUNCHING A BROAD ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN A LOCAL GOVERNMENT

摘要

This paper describes Arlington's energy management program, opportunities identified and challenges encountered thus far, results achieved in the program's first year, and the significance of local government facilities as a whole to the energy management community. Energy-using facilities run by Arlington County government are a microcosm of energy use nationwide, representing all sectors of the economy. A broad strategic plan for energy use in County facilities aims for a 15% reduction in energy use in County operations by 2007. Lighting upgrades and building tune-ups are already providing verifiable savings, and an educational outreach effort is giving the program visibility among County employees and citizens. The energy manager is coaching facility planning staff on energy efficiency aspects of "green" buildings in new construction and renovation, including compliance with the LEED~(TM) program. The County began installing LED traffic signals in 2000. Although energy management in the Federal government receives a great deal of attention - quite quite justifiable as the user of $8 billion of energy per year - state and local governments together represent at least another $12 billion in annual energy expenditures, and opportunities at these levels are largely untapped. Energy improvements in local government facilities can serve as a catalyst for greater activity in the private sector by virtue of their visibility and frequent use by citizens. Arlington's effort, and similar programs by other localities, can serve as models for other jurisdictions.