As of July 2009, the County has reduced its overall energy consumption by 15% and has saved roughly $150,000 in utility bills. In terms of carbon dioxide, this is equal to filling 104 hot air balloons, planting 139 acres of trees, and removing 91 cars from the roads for a year.

In December 2007 the Board of Supervisors adopted the U.S. Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration, pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions countywide by 80% by 2050. This includes all sectors – municipal, commercial, residential, industrial, transportation, agriculture, etc. The County has already conducted a baseline emissions inventory and is currently working with the City of Charlottesville and University of Virginia on a joint Local Climate Action Planning Process (LCAPP). Efforts to reduce energy usage in the municipal sector greatly support this larger countywide initiative, as we are reducing our greenhouse gas emissions with each kilowatt-hour (kWh) conserved.

This measured energy reduction can be at least partly attributed to a number of “low or no cost” projects. Examples include:

• HVAC set backs and set points
• Hot water heater timers
• Lighting retrofits (replacing T12s with T8s; installation of electronic ballasts)
• Occupancy sensors installed in all conference rooms, bathrooms, and closets
• Training provided for departments on energy efficiency and behavior
• Energy audits
• Installation of a solar thermal system
• Green roof technology
• LED exit signs
• Low-flow fixtures

Fiscal Year 2010 will focus mostly on lighting and water efficiency upgrades.