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EECBG Projects
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In 2009, Kitsap County received $2.229 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds from the
U.S. Department of Energy to reduce energy demand, save taxpayer dollars used for County operations, lower home utility bills,
promote a green economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A significant portion of the funds will be used to retrofit county
buildings to cut energy costs. Energy efficient lighting was installed at the Pavilion and Presidents Hall at the County Fairgrounds,
along with a new heating system at Presidents Hall. Grant funds were also used to replace single-paned windows at the County Courthouse
with new, double-paned windows.
As part of the grant, the county will also launch a community weatherization and energy efficiency
loan program to help county homeowners reduce energy use and lower their energy bills. For more information, check out the Weatherization Program link.
Grant funds will also be used to develop a long-term comprehensive Energy Efficiency & Conservation Plan (Energy Plan).
The scope of the plan will focus on county building operations and retrofits, and employee actions.
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PROJECT FUNDING
To learn more about the projects funded with EECBG funds, click on the links
below.
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| PROJECT / PROGRAM |
TOTAL BUDGET |
EECBG FUNDS |
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Retrofit County Buildings |
$732,714 |
$732,714 |
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Weatherization & Energy Efficiency Loans |
$504,000 |
$504,000 |
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Big Belly Clean Technology |
$457,730 |
$457,730 |
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Kitsap Food Chain |
$195,000 |
$195,000 |
| Built Green |
$113,757 |
$113,757 |
| Energy Plan |
$5,489 |
$5,489 |
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Funding for these projects is part of the $3.2 billion in funding for the EECBG program appropriated by American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The EECBG program provides federal grants to units of local government, Indian tribes, states,
and U.S. territories to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and for improvements in energy efficiency. It is administered
by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
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COUNTY BUILDING RETROFITS
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COURTHOUSE
Nearly all (95) first and second floor windows in the
Kitsap County Courthouse were replaced with double paned windows in the
summer of 2010. The new, double-glazed, low-emissivity (Low-E), gas-filled
windows will reduce the county's energy costs by approximately $25,000 per
year and make the building more comfortable for occupants by lessening solar
glare and heat loss and gain.
Two solar hot water collector systems were installed on the Courthouse roof
in early 2011. Each system will absorb thermal energy from the sun and
convert it into usable heat that will pre-heat hot water tanks, reducing the
amount of electricity and natural gas needed to heat water used in the
Courthouse restrooms and Sheriff’s locker rooms.
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Solar collector for second floor Courthouse hot
water heater.
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| Double-glazed windows installed in the Kitsap
County Courthouse. |
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PAVILION
Energy efficiency lighting upgrades (T8 lamps and occupancy sensors) were
completed in the Pavilion in July 2010. Lighting upgrades are projected to
save 177,422 kWh of electricity and $14,157 per year.
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| New T8 lamps in
the Pavilion. |
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PRESIDENTS HALL
Presidents Hall building received both energy efficiency lighting upgrades
(T8 lamps and occupancy sensors) and a new radiant heating system in the
summer of 2010. Lighting upgrades are projected to save 49,193 kWh of
electricity and $3,935 per year. The new radiant heating system is projected
to yield a 35% reduction in propane demand and an 18% efficiency improvement
compared to the old system.
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| New T8 lamps and
radiant heating panels in the Presidents Hall. |
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VAN ZEE
Energy efficient lighting upgrades were completed in the spring of 2011.
Inside, six tube ballasts replaced 400 Watt metal halide lights, while
outside wall ballasts were replaced with new induction wall packs.
Lighting upgrades are projected to save 16,760 kWh of electricity and
$2,000 per year.
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| New energy efficient lighting in the Van Zee building. |
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PUBLIC WORKS ROAD SHEDS
Over 300 indoor and outdoor lights and fixtures were replaced with
energy efficient options in the summer of 2011. Energy efficient lighting upgrades estimated to save 152,789
kWh and $14,000 a year with a payback period for each site varying from 2-6 years.
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| New energy efficient lighting
upgrades at the South Road Shed tire shop |
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PARKS LIGHTING UPGRADES
Over 100 indoor and outdoor lights and fixture were replaced
with energy efficient options at eight county parks in the fall of 2011. Additional retrofits included
installation of motion sensors and weatherization measures.
These retrofits are expected to reduce energy use by 18,314 kWh per year.
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PARKING LOT LIGHTING UPGRADES
All existing 1000 watt metal halide parking lot lights at the Juvenile
Detention Center were replaced with 450 watt lights in December 2011.
Exterior 250-400 watt metal halide lights at the detention center were
also replaced with 150-250 watt lights. These retrofits are expected to
reduce energy use by 12,286 kWh per year. Three parking lots at the
county fairgrounds with 1000 watt metal halide lights will be replaced
with 400 watt lights in the spring of 2012. These retrofits are expected
to reduce energy use by more than 18,000 kWh per year.
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WEATHERIZATION & ENERGY EFFICIENCY LOANS
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Grant funds will be used to promote and provide incentives for home energy
assessments and establish an energy efficiency loan program for Kitsap
County homeowners. For more information,
click
here.
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BIGBELLY CLEAN TECHNOLOGY
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A total of 80 BigBelly Solar Trash Compactors and recycling bins were installed in 14 county parks and
downtown Kingston in spring of 2010. Each unit can hold up to 150 gallons of trash,
thanks to the automatic compaction powered by the sun. By compacting trash, and allowing
more trash to be stored in less space, the new garbage units can eliminate three or four
normal pickups before the BigBelly must be emptied. Fewer vehicle trips to empty the bins
results in reduced fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. County staff are
currently tracking performance of the bins and evaluating adjusted pick up schedules to maximize savings.
BigBelly compactors are made in the USA, with RoHS compliant circuitry and a
recycled plastic collection hopper. The stainless steel side panels
were created by a Kitsap County company.
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BigBelly garbage and recycling
receptacles
at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. |
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BUILT GREEN
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Grant funds were used to provide energy upgrades to the Kitsap County
Home Builders Association (HBA) building and educate the community about
energy upgrades and Built Green practices. The HBA conducted an energy
assessment of their property in December 2009 that identified several
opportunities for energy retrofits, including duct sealing, air sealing,
increased insulation, a cool roof, and water heater replacement. Grant
funds were used to implement the recommended energy efficiency
upgrades and support a comprehensive community
outreach program. The HBA building will be showcased as a community learning
laboratory for home energy upgrades with targeted outreach to homeowners, builders,
and students. Learn more at
www.kitsapenergyupgrade.com.
Come tour the newly-upgraded building!
Stop by the HBA headquarters -- located at 5251 Auto Center Way in
Bremerton - between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday to
check out the newly retrofitted building in person. Signs explaining
various elements of the retrofit are available for public viewing, along
with a self-guided computer slideshow.
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KITSAP FOOD CHAIN
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Energy Assessments for Kitsap County Food Chain Members
Kitsap County offered free energy assessments and audits for farmers, processors, distributors and other Kitsap County-based members
of the food chain system in 2011-2012. The county contracted with trained staff from EnSave to review existing operations, equipment and
energy bills and suggest specific cost-effective, energy efficient improvements
to reduce operational costs and enhance the efficiency of any planned expansions.
Kitsap County partnered with Kitsap Credit Union to offer low-interest energy efficiency loans for energy assessment recipients and is
offering a one-time “rebate” opportunity to help cover up to 80 percent of costs for energy upgrades identified during the energy assessment
report. The loan program is available on an ongoing basis. The “rebate” program is a one-time opportunity available in mid-2012 for participants
in the Kitsap Food Chain Energy Assessment Program.
Conservation Tillage Program
Additional EECBG funds were used to develop a conservation tillage
program for Kitsap County farmers and gardeners. The program includes
rental of a no-till seed drill, agricultural soil testing and
educational opportunities for Kitsap Farmers and Food Producers through
a partnership with WSU Kitsap County Extension. The Kitsap Conservation
Tillage Program helps farmers reduce their carbon footprint, save energy
and conserve natural resources.
For more information, or to reserve the
no-till drill for use on your farm, click here...
A Food and Farm Policy Council was developed in 2009 to develop local
partnerships and sustain a vibrant food system that supports healthy
people, communities, economies and the environment. For more
information, visit the Council website at
http://kitsapfoodchain.org/.
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ENERGY PLAN
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Kitsap County developed a long-term comprehensive energy plan to outline
how the county will continue the momentum created with EECBG funding.
The Energy Plan provides specific recommendations for new and existing
county buildings, and employee actions to help the county reduce energy
use 30% by 2020. Grant funds will be used to support implementation of
the Energy Plan which was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners
in October 2011. For more information or to download the plan,
click here.
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Last Updated:
May 14, 2012
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