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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-23-2007-7aORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 23, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. ~ -~ SUBJECT: Energy Conservation Update DEPARTMENT: Manager's Office PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Public Works ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Fenton, 245-2628 Noah Ranells, 245-2330 Kevin Lindley, 245-2313 PURPOSE: To update the Board about the employee Energy Conservation Fair, scheduled for November 2, 2007, and to provide information on energy usage at several County buildings. BACKGROUND: Conservation policies for water, energy and fuel (gasoline and diesel) were adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in December 2005. The Energy Conservation Team was established in February 2006 in support of the Energy Conservation Policy, especially to promote conservation by County employees. Since its inception, the Energy Conservation Team has made presentations to all new employee orientation meetings and to a number of department head meetings, employee consortium meetings, and Environmental Stewardship Action Committee meetings. The Team developed a presence on the County's Intranet site to provide information about internal conservation activities as well as links to external sites providing conservation tips and "how-to" information. The Team has begun presenting profiles of energy conserving activities by County departments and employees in the Orange Alive newsletter. The Team has also developed an Energy Conservation Fair for County, court system and Town of Hillsborough employees. Energy Conservation Fair The Energy Conservation Team is hosting an "Energy Conservation Fair" for County, Court system and Town of Hillsborough employees on November 2, 2007 at the Moose Lodge in Hillsborough. The event will bring together vendors who provide energy conservation products and services with County, Court system and Town of Hillsborough employees. Twenty-three booths are available for this first time event. Several vendors have already expressed their intent to participate. An update will be provided to the Board at the October 23 meeting. 2 It is estimated that approximately 250 employees will attend this event. The Energy Conservation Team is working with Orange Public Transportation (OPT) to provide transportation options for traveling to and from the event in order to reduce the number of vehicles traveling to the facility. Energy Use at Several County Buildings Due to the resources needed for entering and verifying data for electricity and natural gas usage at all County buildings, several of the largest buildings have been selected to provide an overview of energy usage. These buildings include: The John M. Link, Jr. Government Services Center, the Southern Human Services Center, the Planning & Agriculture Building and the Whitted Human Services complex (including the Central Recreation Center). An update report will be provided to the Board at the October 23 meeting. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with receiving this update. For the Energy Conservation Fair, the Hillsborough Moose Lodge has graciously offered use of their facility at no cost to the County. Exhibit materials (booth and back wall curtains, etc.) will cost approximately $1,000. Light refreshments will be provided at an estimated cost of $1,000. The final cost to the County is unknown at this time; however, several vendors have expressed their intent to provide partial sponsorship to help offset costs. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the information and provide comments as may be appropriate.