EECC

Today I attended the Environment and Energy Conservation Committee (EECC) meeting at the District. This is a staff task force that is working toward reducing energy consumption and other conservation practices. Whether it is as simple as shutting down automatically computers that are not being used or high tech energy saving devices, many of these ideas will save the District money and also help provide a cleaner environment.

In the next month, we are expecting the results of an energy audit that should provide us with several more money saving ideas. In the last few years there has been several advances that can readily be implimented. These savings are just part of our plan to extend our balanced budget even further into the future, because energy savings occur year after year. Some of the ideas have the added benefit of more efficient use of labor, so we can save some extra money or accomplish more with the money we are already spending.

Add to this the commitment of the District to have a completely green fleet of vehicles and we are pretty much on the cutting edge . We still are the only agency to make that commitment that I know of. Again, this not only saves us money, but provides for cleaner air.

I was not a passive participant. I provided information on several technology advancments that might provide savings, such as the Solatube that provides sunlight to interior rooms. I provided information for grant opportunities for updating lighting throughout the District. Finally, I brought up some other initiatives around the country that we should monitor for ideas and perhaps, participation.

I look forward to the positive results we will enjoy from the work of the EECC.