county sloYesterday, the County of San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the largest energy efficiency retrofit in the government agency’s history, a move that will reduce environmental impacts and save energy and operational costs over time.

The County will work with Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) to create two energy efficiency projects to implement eight energy conservation measures in several County-owned facilities.

“Our goal is to reduce energy consumption at County facilities by 20 percent from 2006 levels by 2020 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from County operations and community-wide sources by 15 percent by 2020,” said Interim General Services Director Marvin Rose. “This is an enormous endeavor, but one that will help offset our carbon footprint by 686.8 metric tons per year. That’s equivalent to removing 151 cars from the road or planting 31,545 trees annually.”

Once completed, the project will result in $258,246 in annual energy cost savings and $76,227 in annual operational and maintenance cost savings. The project will initially cost $4.5 million to complete, which includes low-interest loans at 1 percent or 0 percent interest, as well as funds designated specifically for capital improvement, energy and water projects.

“This unique public/private partnership with PG&E allows us to take a streamlined approach to making our facilities more energy efficient, which will contribute to a healthy, livable and well-governed community,” Rose said. “The positive impact of this will be felt for generations.”

The County completed a feasibility assessment in August 2013, followed by a preliminary energy assessment in July 2014. The latest assessment of this project, the Investment Grade Assessment, was completed in September.

There are two more phases to this energy efficiency project: Design-Build Implementation, which the Board of Supervisors approved today, and the final phase, which includes acceptance, commissioning, training, measurement and verification that will take place after implementation.

For more information, visit www.slocounty.ca.gov.