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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02232010 - SD.14RECOMMENDATION(S): 1. ENDORSE and LAUNCH the “Greening Contra Costa Together Campaign” to green County Departments. This effort is a part of the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program in Contra Costa County, and is consistent with the separate countywide work to reduce internal costs; and 2. DIRECT Health Services staff to report back on the results of the year-long campaign. FISCAL IMPACT: While the primary goal of the campaign is to implement practices that reduce energy and greenhouse gas emissions, thus sustaining our environment, a significant number of the green practices selected should result in lowered county costs. This program is funded 100% by grants from the US Department of Energy. BACKGROUND: The County has accepted APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 02/23/2010 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: William Walker, M.D., 957-5403 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: February 23, 2010 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: Tasha Scott, Barbara Borbon, Robin Bedell-Waite SD.14 To:Board of Supervisors From:William Walker and Supervisor John Gioia Date:February 23, 2010 Contra Costa County Subject:Greening Contra Costa Together Campaign BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) an Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant of $3.57 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce both energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The Greening Contra Costa Together Campaign is part of this larger program. Campaign Goals The campaign is consistent with several other environmental plans, policies and efforts within the County: • The Strategic Energy Plan that stresses energy conservation by employees as a critical part of reducing overall energy use. • The Municipal Climate Action Plan seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our County operations by reducing commute miles, waste produced and use of energy and paper. • Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy encourages employees to purchase products with recycled content, reduced toxicity and that generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions. • Transportation/Employee Commute Policies encourages teleworking and ridesharing (with the assistance of 511 Contra Costa). • With over 400 businesses that have been certified as Green Businesses in Contra Costa, the various partner agencies and cities in the program have been committed to greening their own operations as a way of showing the private sector that we are doing the same things we are asking of them. Importantly, it aims to achieve several other related goals: • To position the County to take further steps towards sustainability, • To improve employee morale resulting from the pride in greening their workplace, • To share the successes of the campaign with cities in Contra Costa to extend the effectiveness of the greening effort, and • To help implement the current, separate work to reduce costs of County operations. Campaign Design Staff in Hazardous Materials (Health Services) is working with several County Departments (or parts of them) that have stepped forward to participate: • Public Works • Library • Employment & Human Services • General Services • Conservation & Development • Public Health (Health Services) • Hazardous Materials (Health Services) Each Department is creating “green teams” of staff to lead the campaign within their own offices. They’ve begun by surveying their staff for ideas on ways to green their operations, and selecting measures most appropriate for them (an attached list of measures is being used as a starting point). Several measures will be chosen by all of the departments. To motivate staff to participate, the campaign design team (staff from each participating Department) and the individual Department green teams will be educating their staff with factsheets (two examples are attached), but more importantly, will be creating systems that work, involving staff, and using one-on-one strategies to more effectively engage employees and foster change. County Print & Mail has created a “logo” for the campaign that will be used on the factsheets and to serve as a unifying element in the campaign. The campaign will last one year, and to every extent possible, Departments will be tracking both environmental effectiveness and costs of the measures being implemented. Possible environmental areas to track are: • Amount of paper reduced • Pounds of garbage reduced • Number of staff enrolled in the Spare the Air Program • Number of staff that have worked with 511 Contra Costa’s staff on ridesharing • Estimated gas savings from increases in teleworking and carpooling • Number of plastic water bottles not being used ATTACHMENTS G:\C&G DIRECTORY\NON CONTRACTS\GreenTeamsFS.pdf G:\C&G DIRECTORY\NON CONTRACTS\~0783204.pdf G:\C&G DIRECTORY\NON CONTRACTS\EnergyFS.pdf G:\C&G DIRECTORY\NON CONTRACTS\MeasuresEECBG.wd.pdf Replace T-12 fluorescent lighting with energy efficient T-8 fixtures • Older T-12 linear tubes are 1½” in diameter, while the newer T-8 tubes are only 1” in diameter. T-12s use almost 50% more energy than the newer, more efficient T-8s, and the T-8s last longer—which means that they’ll have to be changed out less often (look for lamps with a life of 36,000 hours). If you are unable to clearly identify the type of tube be- ing used, ask your maintenance staff to check for you. If they do need changing, you cannot simply exchange T-12 for T-8 bulbs; their magnetic ballasts will also need to be replaced by electronic ballasts (this will eliminate lamp flickering and produce light with less heat). • Consider installing low-mercury T-8 lights (identified by the green bands on the ends) to decrease the amount of mer- cury used by 20%. Use natural light & task lighting to reduce overhead lighting • Place desks and work spaces near windows, and use desktop lamps to reduce the use of overhead lighting. Install occupancy sensors in small rooms • These sensors, used in bathrooms and small storage rooms and offices, automatically turn off the lights when the rooms are vacated, reducing energy use by 15%. Web Resources Turn off lights and electronics, especially monitors & printers • Plug hardware into a power strip with an on/off switch to turn off everything at once. • Conduct a “machine audit” that identifies what machines you have and which ones can be turned off. And identify any electronics or appliances to be unplugged that would otherwise still draw energy. Designate a person to turn off all electronics at the end of the day. • Relying on every single staff to turn off electronics is doomed to failure. Instead, designate one person whose job it is every night to turn off all electronics. Alternatively, rotate this function every month. If stragglers remain in the office, say something to them about needing to turn off whatever electronics they are using. Replace older/smaller refrigerators • Refrigerators manufactured in 2010 use at least 30% less energy per cubic foot than similar models sold in 2001, and 60% less per cubic foot than models sold in 1980. • Note: One large refrigerator will use less energy than two smaller ones with the same total volume. Purchase Energy Star equipment/ appliances • Energy Star copiers and fax machines can reduce their annual electricity costs by at least 50%. • An Energy Star refrigerator uses at least 20% less energy than required by current federal standards. Post signs near exits as a reminder to turn off lights and equipment. • Smart Lights: smartlights.org • PG&E: pge.com/mybusiness/en- ergysavingsrebates/tips/ • Green Business: greenbiz.ca.gov • Engaging employees and getting their participation in green initiatives • Demonstrating and quantifying benefits of Green Team pursuits to top management • Maintaining the sense of momentum/focus • Measurement & Feedback To overcome resistance to a new, green culture, cultivate supporters and use visibility and results to work deeper into the system. Engage & motivate staff— creatively! • Be creative with campaign names and themes. • Inspire by using art in posters and signs. • Try to be clever in your designs for projects, including awards & celebrations. • Provide staff the facts they need with trainings & factsheets. • Use green champions to gently but firmly encourage fellow staff to participate. Build momentum & expand our impact • Track changes and costs. • Publicize to build momentum—share stories and results. • Adopt policies to formalize efforts. • Ensure ongoing management support. • Work with vendors, customers and staff to encour- age them to do their own greening. Web Resources • Sustainable Silicon Valley: sustainablesiliconvalley. org/docs/Green_Teams/index.htm • Green Impact: greenimpact.com • Green Business Program: greenbiz.ca.gov “Green teams” are groups of staff that spearhead efforts to green the operations of an organization, initiating change and motivating staff to actively take part in the greening process. Here’s how to set them up for success! Benefits • Improved morale • Cost Savings • Ability to attract and retain employees • Creation of a collaborative environment Get the best people on your team • Include your office and/or facilities manager—for their knowledge about operations. • Get broad representation, from all facets of the organization. • Achieve a balance between managers and frontline staff, retaining the “grassroots” energy of the team. Zero in on projects/ measures • Review your options from the green factsheets, web resources and Green Business Checklist—choose only a few for starters. • Pick the “low hanging fruit”—the low cost, visible measures that yield relevant, quick results. • Phase in more costly or challenging measures over time. Develop a good action plan • Identify barriers and brainstorm solutions to implementing any measure. • List the steps needed to implement and who is responsible • Establish a doable timeline. Plan for Possible Challenges According to a Sustainable Silicon Valley survey, the top challenges for creating a successful green team are: Behavioral (No-Cost) Measures Energy Conservation: Turn off lights & electronics (especially monitors & printers) – post reminders Designate a person to make sure everything is turned off at the end of the day Use task lighting rather than overhead lighting when possible Use automatic energy saving devices (sleep mode, timers) Take advantage of natural light Set thermostat for heating & cooling Waste Reduction: Use reusable beverage containers (no bottled water or Styrofoam cups) Encourage use of washable & reusable dishes and cutlery items Plan green/zero-waste events Recycle electronic and toxic items (e-waste, toner/ink cartridges, etc.) Reuse garbage bag liners/use green liners Designate universal waste recycling system Paper Reduction: Reduce paper consumption Reuse paper – keep reusable paper near printers/copiers Reuse manila envelopes Choose two-sided printing/copying options Order products with recycled/post-consumer waste content Use unbleached/chlorine-free paper Eliminate agendas and handouts at meetings Set printers for smaller fonts Discourage printing of email messages Use electronic “share” files Reuse folders Fuel Reduction: Telecommute Contact 511 Contra Costa for ride sharing alternatives Walk or bike instead of driving when available Drive 65 mph Join the “Spare the Air” Program Provide commuter schedules to employees to encourage public transportation Green Team: Designate a department/office champion Establish a “green” team EPP: Be aware of and implement the County’s EPP policy Work with other green vendors Encourage green purchasing (office and bathroom paper supplies, ink/toner cartridges, carpeting, etc.)