Environmental Initiatives
Gunnison County Carbon Policy Task Force Final Report and Recommendations
Click here to view the Gunnison County Carbon Policy Task Force Final Report and Recommendations document that was presented to the Gunnison County Board of County Commissioners on 2/8/2011. Gunnison County encourages citizen input regarding this document. Please submit all comments via email to bocc@gunnisoncounty.org or via mail to 200 E. Virginia, Gunnison, CO 81230.
Gunnison County Energy Action Plan
In April 2008, Gunnison County received a grant for $12,850 from the State of Colorado Department of Local Affairs and partnered with the Office of Resource Efficiency to create a county-wide Energy Action Plan for presentation to the County and the municipalities within Gunnison County.
On April 28, 2009, the Gunnison County contingent of the Energy Action Plan Advisory Group presented their summary of recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. The Green Team would like to acknowledge the time and dedication of the Energy Action Plan Advisory Group for the culminated list of recommendations.
On May 11, 2009, the Green Team received a directive from County Manager Matthew Birnie to analyze the recommendations of the Energy Action Plan Advisory Group and come back with specific recommendations for implementation within the County organization. The Gunnison County Energy Action Plan (adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on August 4, 2009, is the result of individual considerations and group discussions among the members of the Gunnison County Green Team that occurred between May 11, 2009 and July 15, 2009.
Gunnison County Green Team
The Gunnison County Green Team was established in March 2009 to advance and implement a County-wide "Green Plan" to ensure unified, coordinated and efficient action in meeting Gunnison County's environmental goals. Comments and suggestions can be sent to the Green Team at GTeam@GunnisonCounty.org.
This Green Team is currently comprised of the following members:
- Rich Corbett, Facilities Supervisor
- Ben Cowan, Assistant Finance Director
- Mike Lee, IT Director
- Eric McPhail, CSU Extension
- Debbie Moore, Personnel Director
- Jon Mugglestone, CSU Extension
- Cathie Pagano, Planner
- Lee Partch, Fleet Manager
- Mike Pelletier, GIS Manager
- Jill Stahlnecker, Administrative Assistant for Public Health
Gunnison County Green Team Meeting Minutes
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
| January 4, 2012 |
|
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
April 22, 2009
May 20, 2009
June 17, 2009
July 15, 2009
August 18, 2009
September 23, 2009
October 28, 2009
December 16, 2009 |
March 24, 2010
May 19, 2010
November 4, 2010
December 9, 2010
|
February 23, 2011
December 7, 2011 |
Green Challenges Program
Each month during 2011, the Green Team will be announcing an environmental challenge for County employees on which to focus.
These challenges will be designed to encourage environmentally friendly practices that reduce the County’s carbon footprint as well as save the County money in the long term by increasing efficiency - something that all employees can support in some fashion.
In order to foster participation, the Green Team is pleased to announce that, each month, one lucky employee will be rewarded with a $50 incentive by participating in that month’s challenge.
Monthly Challenge Themes (click on any title to download the monthly challenge (PDF format) with details on how to win the challenge):
Accomplishments/Achievements
- May 7, 1991: Approved a contract with the Colorado Office of Energy Conservation to use $75,000 for the purchase of recycling equipment and for recycling education. The money was intended to replace an existing program managed by Western Recycling.
- March 3, 1992: Opening ceremony for the Gunnison County Recycling Program.
- 1999: Energy improvements totaling $215,675 were made at the following facilities using a performance contract:
| Facility |
Description |
Total |
| Airport Terminal |
BAS/DDC controls, office cooling, boiler replacement, lighting retrofits and upgrades |
$81,894 |
| County Courthouse |
BAS/DDC controls, evaporative cooling, lighting retrofits and upgrades |
$82,765 |
| Multi-purpose Building |
Lighting retrofits and upgrades |
$18,122 |
| Library 1 |
Lighting retrofits and upgrades |
$5,213 |
| Mountain View Apts. |
Lighting retrofits and upgrades |
$4,620 |
| Airport Outbuildings |
Lighting retrofits and upgrades |
$2,078 |
| Family Services Ctr. |
Outdoor lighting poles, commissioning |
$20,983 |
| TOTAL |
$215,675 |
- 2000: Energy improvements totaling $840,730 were made at the Blackstock Government Center using a performance contract:
| Facility |
Description |
Total |
| Blackstocks Govt. Ctr. |
Temperature controls, mechanical, sheet metal, electrical and windows |
$840,730 |
| TOTAL |
$840,730 |
- October 17, 2006: Joined ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) to participate in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign including:
- Conducting a greenhouse gas emissions inventory,
- Develop an action plan to meet a local reduction target,
- Implement the action plan, and
- Monitor and report progress.
- 2007: On April 1, 2008, The Board of County Commissioners was presented with the following recycling awards for Gunnison County in 2007:
- The Colorado Outstanding Community in Recycling Efforts in 2007, awarded by the Colorado Association for Recycling
- Certificate of Recognition for Recycling Excellence from Mid-America Recycling at the end of 2007.
- During 2007, the County shipped
- 158.59 tons of amber glass;
- 92.12 tons of clear and green glass;
- 1,093.66 tons of aluminum, tin and plastic; and
- 978.8 tons of paper.
- The total estimated resources conserved by these efforts equates to
- 16,640 trees;
- 6,851,586 gallons of water;
- 58,728 pounds of air pollution;
- 4,013,072 kilowatt hours of electricity; and
- 3,230 cubic yards of landfill space.
- May 6, 2008: Received a Colorado Heritage Planning Grant for $12,850 to coordinate a valley-wide action plan in cooperation with the Office for Resource Efficiency.
- May 20, 2008: Adoption of the BOCC Strategic Plan, which includes the following strategic results:
- By 20XX, Gunnison County will meet or exceed the energy efficiency goals and timelines established by the permanent Energy Efficiency Committee.
- By 2012, Gunnison County will reduce overall emissions from county fleet vehicles by 10%.
- By 2012, Gunnison County will achieve an overall net efficiency increase of 10% in County buildings.
- July 10, 2008: Gunnison County joined the Energy Star Challenge to improve the energy efficiency of County buildings by 10% or more.
- December 2008: Purchased three new gas efficient fleet vehicles (including a Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Corolla) to substitute for trips previously taken in a gas inefficient Chevrolet Suburban.
- March 25, 2009: Countywide “Green Team” established to:
- Reviewing internal County operations for compliance with and/or furthering the County's environmental goals while ensuring that such compliance is fiscally sound and prudent;
- Evaluating the impact of policies on the green goals of the county; and
- Creating a sense of commitment and common understanding of green actions among all levels of employees.
- April 1, 2009: Completed energy consumption inventory using the EPA EnergyStar Portfolio Manager for 2005 through current. The inventory will be maintained monthly.
- May 14, 2009: Completed a Feasibility Study for Energy Performance Contracting for 20 county facilities with the assistance of the Governor’s Energy Office.
- August 7, 2009: Signed a contract for a Technical Energy Audit and project proposal from Ennovate Corporation to complete a third round of energy performance contracts.
- September 1, 2009: Approved inclusion of a Clean Energy Financing Options ballot initiative in the November 3, 2009 election.
- September 1, 2009: Approved a pilot project of $900 to replace fifteen 1500 watt space heater in use at the County with 100 watt infrared heaters.
- May 18, 2010: Completed the countywide Technical Energy Audit Report.
- July 20, 1010: Entered into a contract with Ennovate Corporation to install $1,168,919 in energy improvements to 15 county owned buildings.The contract can be viewed here.
- December, 2010: Completed construction of an experimental solar collector at the Doyleville Shop with costs totaling $1,759.02.
- December 14, 2010: Received Board of Commissioners approval to install a energy efficiency sunroom on the 4-H building during 2011. Estimated costs are $4,500.
- December 14, 2010: Received Board of Commissioners approval to fund Green Team initiatives up to $2,000 possibly to purchase recycling receptacles, loaner bicycles, fleece curtains, incentive payments, etc.
- January 4, 2011: launched a new program called “Monthly Green Challenges” to promote action and awareness of various environmental topics for county employees during 2011. Each month will have a distinct topic to focus on, with participants becoming eligible for a $50 incentive drawing.
Resources / Links
|
| |
