City Moves to Reduce Energy Use
June 6, 2001
An energy plan that calls for the city to develop a conservation program and take part in an energy buyback program offered by electric utility companies has been approved by the City Council.
Developed by a city-manager appointed energy management task force, the plan also cites the development of a public education program to provide factual information to residents on possible "rolling blackouts" and other energy reduction steps that could be taken in the event of an energy shortage.
Officials suggest that Phoenix is not likely to have a critical electricity shortage this summer unless there are abnormal occurrences such as forest fires affecting transmission lines or malfunctions at generating plants. Even then, they say, the impact on residents and city services should be minimal.
The city has been involved in energy conservation for 20 years. Among steps it has taken were the development of a centralized chilled water cooling system for downtown city offices and the use of smart meters that manage power usage.
Under the energy plan endorsed by the council, thermostats will be turned up in city buildings, overhead lights will be turned off when employees are going to be away for more than five minutes, cooling will be turned off when buildings are empty, energy-saving settings will be used on computers, and electric office equipment will be turned off at the end of the day.
Additionally, the plan recommends dozens of energy-saving measures for various city agencies and facilities, including aviation, civic plaza, fire, police, parks, recreation and library, water services and public works. The measures range from reduced lighting at Sky Harbor International Airport to starting cleaning operations at Civic Plaza after 8 p.m. to considering alternative work schedules at the Police Department.
The energy buyback program involves Arizona Public Service Energy Services and Salt River Project paying the city for reducing its energy use during peak periods.
The plan also calls for the completion of emergency preparedness planning to minimize the impact of power interruptions on the city's critical systems and services.
For more information on reducing energy use, call APS at (602) 371-7171 or SRP at (602) 236-8811 or visit their Web sites at www.aps.com or www.srpnet.com.
