| Local Policy Description: | LED Traffic Signals
Responsible Department: Highway/DPW
CO2 Savings in 2010: 364 tons
The DPW recently installed LED (light emitting diode) lights for the green and red signals at most of the traffic signals in Brookline. The project was funded with a grant from Boston Edison. LED lights use 80 to 90% less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs. In addition, LED lights require 1/6 the maintenance of conventional bulbs, only needing replacement every eight to ten years. The street light conversion will result in the elimination of 364 tons of CO2 in 2010 and annual financial savings of $58,941. The town could also perform conversions in pedestrian signals and yellow traffic lights.
Town Building Lighting Retrofits
Responsible Department: Buildings
CO2 Savings in 2010: 1,300 tons
In many town buildings, lighting fixtures account for a large proportion of energy consumption. Many buildings, including most of the schools, have received upgraded lighting in the form of compact fluorescents that have reduced electricity costs for the town. In addition, occupancy sensors in buildings such as Town Hall and the High School prevent the unnecessary lighting of vacant space. Lighting retrofits are planned for all municipal buildings, and the Building Department is committed to installing the most energy efficient technology throughout the town. With lighting efficiency measures that have already been undertaken, and those that are planned over the next eight years, this measure could result in the elimination of 1,300 tons of CO2 in 2010, and annual financial savings of $189,635.
Energy Efficient Window Installation in Town Buildings
Responsible Department: Buildings
CO2 Savings in 2010: 1,724 tons
The energy lost through residential and commercial windows costs U.S. consumers about $25 billion a year. In a typical building, 40% of the annual energy budget is consumed by heating and cooling. New glass technology can drastically cut energy loss from windows, significantly affecting how much money is spent on energy use in town buildings. The EPA estimates that the installation of energy efficient windows can result in energy savings of 15%. This measure calculates the impact of installing energy efficient windows in the following buildings by 2010 (buildings marked an asterisk refer to projects that have already been completed): Main Library, Coolidge Library, Putterham Library, Town Hall, Main Police, Health, Lynch Recreation, Soule Recreation, Baker, Baldwin, Devotion, Driscoll, Heath, Phys.Ed/UA Arts, High School, Lawrence, New Lincoln, Old Lincoln, Runkle and Pierce). There are obviously other municipal buildings in which window replacements could be undertaken, however only the above are used in calculations as these buildings had the most consistent and available data on energy usage. If new windows were installed on these town buildings, 1,724 tons of CO2 could be saved in 2010, and annual financial savings of $251,604 could result.
Town Building Heating/Cooling Efficiency Measures
Responsible Department: Buildings
CO2 Savings in 2010: Unknown
The town has undertaken many measures to make the heating and cooling systems in its buildings more efficient. These measures include the installation of new HVAC systems and the replacement of old heating systems with dual gas-oil boilers. In addition, revised energy management systems that are able to sense energy needs in specific rooms across town buildings based on occupancy schedules and indoor versus outdoor temperatures have been installed.
The town should continue with energy efficiency improvements on heating and cooling systems in municipal buildings. One further measure that should be investigated would be a requirement that an ‘energy impact report’ be completed after any building or renovation project, or after the installation of new equipment. A standardized system of energy impact reporting would allow the town to track energy and financial savings from specific changes, which would be enormously helpful for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions. The Building Department would then be able to prioritize projects based on the impact that they would have on energy consumption and financial expenditure on utility bills.
Energy Efficient Streetlights
Responsible Department: Highway, DPW
CO2 Savings in 2010: 97 tons
In October of 2001, the town purchased 3,800 street lights from Boston Edison both in order to improve the level of service to the community and to achieve the benefits that will accompany town ownership. Of the 4,130 lights now owned by the town, 348 are mercury vapor. This measure would encourage the town to convert the remaining 348 to more efficient high pressure sodium technology. High-pressure sodium streetlights use on average 54.91% less electricity than do mercury vapor lights. Implementation of this measure could result in annual savings of $15,673 and in the elimination of 97 tons of CO2.
Town Owned Demonstration House
Responsible Department: Buildings
CO2 Savings in 2010: 10 tons
The City of Cambridge, MIT and Tufts University have all created project houses that demonstrate alternative energy technology and energy efficiency retrofit projects. The town could sponsor a renovation of a town owned property to serve as an outreach center for conservation and renewable energy education for residents and businesses. One potential property that could be converted into a demonstration house is the town owned residential property at 27 Acres Ave. If retrofits such as a solar hot water heating system, a solar electricity system and energy efficient appliances and lighting were installed at the property, it could result in the elimination of 10 tons of CO2 and financial savings of $839.
Retrofit Fire Alarm Lights and Exit Signs in Town Buildings
Responsible Department: Buildings
CO2 Savings in 2010: 75 tons
Lit exit signs and fire alarm lights are required in all public buildings. Today over 100 million exit signs are in use throughout the U.S. consuming more than 30 to 35 million kwh of energy and costing $1 billion to operate annually. The town does not keep specific records on the energy consumption of exit signs. However, there are records for the 239 incandescent red lights marking the location of fire alarms in the town. In 1998 the fire alarms accounted for 130,880 kwh of energy use. Converting the fire alarm lights to LED technology would eliminate 75 tons of CO2 and result in annual savings of $12,221.
Municipal Use of Solar Electricity
Responsible Department: Buildings
CO2 Savings in 2010: 17 tons
The installation of solar photovoltaic panels on municipal buildings could provide many environmental and economic benefits to the town. Photovoltaics produce electricity from the sun's rays using semiconductor technology. PV systems can be used to power lights, appliances and business equipment. A PV system is a way to guarantee reliable and uninterrupted power at a time when energy shortages are becoming more commonplace. While the technology for municipal solar use exists today, there are many barriers, due mostly to the high cost of installation, that stand in the way of this measure. However programs like the federal Million Solar Roofs initiative and organizations like Solar Boston are working to overcome barriers like lack of consumer and professional knowledge about solar technologies, limited number of qualified solar installers, high system cost, limited financing options and infrastructure barriers to grid-tied systems. The Building Department has indicated that the following buildings present possible opportunities to incorporate solar electricity production into renovation projects: Driscoll, Runkle, Devotion and Pierce schools and the Main Library and Police Department. If a 2kw PV system was installed on each of these six buildings, it could result in the elimination of 17 tons of CO2 in 2010.
Purchase of Green Electricity
Responsible Organization: CCAB, Moderator's Committee
CO2 Savings in 2010: 53,245 tons
With the deregulation of electricity in Massachusetts consumers are free to change their electricity provider. However, there are currently no competitive electric suppliers from which residential consumers can choose. This is due to a number of factors, including the fact that rates dropped after electric industry restructuring went into effect, making it undesirable for competitive suppliers to try to compete in the marketplace. MassEnergy predicts that by 2010 electricity providers will be able to sell green energy options that draw electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind power, small hydro or biomass, and that approximately 20% of the state's population will opt to purchase the cleaner energy. This measure evaluates the impact of 20% of the town's residential, commercial and municipal customers purchasing green energy in 2010. The cumulative impact of a 20% demand for green electricity from all three sectors could result in the reduction of 53,245 tons of CO2.
Energy Efficient Building Code
Responsible Department: Buildings, Energy Efficiency/Environmental Coordinator
CO2 Savings in 2010: 25,624 tons
Recent changes in the Massachusetts State Building Code require that all new construction be within 5% to 10% of the minimum energy efficiency thresholds set by the U.S. Department of Energy. The code for the Town of Brookline is the same as the state, and applies to new commercial and residential developments, in addition to substantial additions. The town could consider developing its own green building code with incentives that would enhance the State requirements. Based on estimated savings from other municipal green building codes, this measure could result in the elimination of 25,624 tons of CO2 and financial savings of $2,137,974 for citizens who choose to make energy efficiency upgrades in their buildings.
Create Energy Advisory Committee
Responsible Department/Organization:
CO2 Savings in 2010: Unknown
This measure would establish an Energy Advisory Committee composed of interested town residents and local experts on issues related to climate change. Members of this Advisory Committee could meet regularly to discuss priorities and progress related to the implementation of emissions reduction measures outlined in the Local Action Plan. Since the development of the Plan relied heavily on collaboration and input from members of the community, the same individuals should also be involved in overseeing and monitoring the implementation of measures they helped create. This group could also take the lead on continuing to compile and distribute information on greenhouse gas reduction technologies, programs and policies that will improve Brookline’s economy and environment.
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