GT County can reduce carbon footprint

By VICTOR SKINNER
vskinner@record-eagle.com

June 13, 2008 11:18 am

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TRAVERSE CITY -- Grand Traverse County can help minimize its carbon footprint with improved temperature controls at county buildings, more fuel-efficient vehicles and better sewage pumps.

But county officials said they've already implemented some steps to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and aren't ready to commit to a local nonprofit group's suggestions.

The county board's Ways and Means committee will review the possible energy-saving and cost-cutting measures on June 17.

The baseline assessment is the first step in gauging the county's progress toward trimming greenhouse gas emissions to at least 25 percent below 2005 levels by 2012, said Sarna Salzman, executive director of SEEDS, the environmental consulting and engineering firm that conducted the months-long study of county energy use.

"We take in all of the utility records, the waste records, transportation and vehicle information," Salzman said. "Also in phase one is analyzing the existing measures that have been put in place since 2005 to reduce greenhouse gases ... which is mostly energy efficiency measures."

Greenhouse gases are emitted from several sources, including burning fuels for heat, electricity or vehicles. The heat is trapped in the atmosphere and such gases are believed to be a major contributor to global warming.

County Administrator Dennis Aloia said the county has made a conscious effort to reduce energy use in recent years through new light bulbs and more efficient appliances and equipment. Other efforts, such as converters installed on electric motors to reduce voltage, are expected to show significant progress toward the energy goal, Aloia said.

The county paid SEEDS about $16,000 for the initial phase through a joint contract with the city. The results presented Tuesday will help determine whether the county moves on to the second phase, which takes a closer look at how to implement some of the suggestions, Aloia said.

"I think it's important to help set a standard in the community to be as energy efficient as you can ... but when it results in savings for tax payer it's an important thing," Aloia said. "I am kind of anxious to see how we are doing and I hope it points out areas where we can improve."

SEEDS presented first phase results for the city in March and a community-wide inventory of greenhouse gas emissions will be available next month.