Category Archives: General Sustainability

SLC Job Opportunity: Energy & Utilities Management Coordinator

Help Salt Lake City meet our energy, clean air and sustainability goals! We’re hiring an Energy and Utilities Management Coordinator. To apply, visit SLC.gov.

Description: Analyzing existing energy source contracts and programs and determining greater cost effective energy use through assisting in the development and implementation of the City’s energy/utilities management.

Performs building and other asset audits, working with all levels of staff, consultants and vendors to obtain information, make recommendations, and make adjustments to resolve a variety of heating, ventilating, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing equipment problems and issues that will result in reduced energy usage. Maintains a variety of record, research data, and prepares reports as required. Reviews plans and specifications and serves as a technical resource for energy/utilities system management; promote energy consumption awareness within the City. Develops and updates procedures/standards manuals to address energy management programs guidelines and objectives. Researches, develops and recommends standards, specifications and procedures for the construction, operation and maintenance of electric and natural gas systems and equipment to optimize system costs.

Identifies priority energy projects and uses project management techniques to implement energy projects within the City. Perform LEED reviews and makes recommendation in products and materials along with ensuring approved recommendation are implemented to amplify the City goals for Facilities. Participates in rate and cost of service studies, support budget development and use goals making recommendations as appropriate; directs and participates in field analysis of equipment operations and efficiencies, and applies data gained to studies and recommendations. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or Facilities Management, Environment Science or a closely related field and five (5) years full-time paid professional experience of acceptable level and quality in the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), controls, or energy management industry, preferably including experience in managing a computerized energy management control system/building automation systems. Education and experience may be substituted one for the other on a year for year basis, but must include a minimum of five (5) years of experience in energy management and applying energy efficient building operations/maintenance or construction principles.

Knowledge of theory, principles and practices of energy integrated demand-side resource planning techniques; Able to apply modern methods and techniques used to conserve energy in the operation of electrical, mechanical, telemetry, and instrumentation elements in a wide variety of facilities, design and use of computer-controlled electrical and mechanical equipment as it relates to energy management and energy project implementation; data processing and computer systems used for conserving energy; research and analysis techniques; micro-computer applications pertaining to the work; and project management tools and techniques.

Experience applying energy conservation principles and practices within an energy program; experience in energy project identification and implementation, demonstrating knowledge of federal and state regulations and programs related to energy supply and demand; methods of energy conservation and generation; resource technology and application.

Knowledge and experience in the use of LEEDs guidelines and recommendations; possess LEEDs certification or able to obtain LEEDs certification within 6 months of employment.

Ability to use a personal computer and related programs including word processing and spreadsheet, data base, facility management applications and building automation software.

Knowledge of management principles and practices including experience energy studies, budgeting processes and resource allocation.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and build consensus with individuals of diverse backgrounds, with varied organizational needs and differing priorities.

Possession of a valid driver’s license or driving privilege card in order to work with various City Department representatives, public, and private organizations outside of assigned office area.

Sustainability Highlights from Mayor Biskupski’s State of the City Address

On Tuesday, January 26, 2016, Mayor Jackie Biskupski delivered her first State of the City Address, which featured many important sustainability initiatives. Here are some of the the highlights:

As I have said before, there is nothing more important than the air we breathe. And working to clear our skies is a top priority of my administration.

At the city level, I will begin by taking steps to create a new Department of Sustainability with air quality as its primary goal.

This elevation from a division to a department, Sustainability on equal footing–both real and perceived–with every other function of city government. Vicki Bennett, who currently runs the Division of Sustainability will be a core member of my cabinet and have the full backing of this office to grow and implement programs and policies across Salt Lake City.

Today, there is proposed state legislation that would update Utah’s building codes. This is a first critical step in helping to reduce the second highest contributor to air pollution, our homes and buildings. These codes have not been updated in years. Failure to act this session will allow the cause of up to 30% of our air pollution to go unchecked for years.

Our policy team, led by our Deputy Chief of Staff, David Litvack and Lynn Pace, will lead the lobbying effort to secure support from our state legislators to take this simple action this year. And I will continue to reach out to my fellow elected officials, business and industry to join us in this effort. Our poor air quality is a health crisis and will become a major impediment in Utah’s economy if we do not work collaboratively to make a real difference today.

We have another key opportunity before us with the contract we negotiate every 20 years with an energy provider for this city. This agreement is up for renewal this month. I understand the negotiations were slowed due to the election and both parties were waiting to proceed in the direction of a new administration.

Let me be clear, I stand shoulder to shoulder with the previous administration. Salt Lake City’s request for a commitment from our energy provider to increase the use of renewable energy is achievable and sound policy to combat the effects of climate change.

We have set a goal–in line with the values of city residents — to have at least 50% of our municipal energy needs met by renewables such as solar, wind, and geothermal sources by 2020. And I commit to go further. Salt Lake City will join our neighbors in Park City and pledge to make our city’s utility sources carbon free by 2032.

We are all in this together and we will work with our energy provider to find ways to achieve these goals.

And being in this together means, we all must do our part.

I’m a working mom, I get it, sometimes what we are being asked to do simply won’t work with the demands of our lives. But, for the sake of our children, we can drive in a cold car for 5 minutes rather than let it warm up in our driveways.

We have a current ordinance requiring drivers to limit idling to 2 minutes. Frankly, if you’re parked, you shouldn’t be idling at all. Last month the police department discovered 600 unattended, idling vehicles in one 2.5 hour span. These vehicles were spewing pollution into our skies, not to mention putting children, who were left inside of them, at great risk of kidnapping and every vehicle at risk of theft.

To read the full text of the address, visit the Mayor’s website.

The PSB goes platinum!

Salt Lake City Public Safety Building Achieves LEED Platinum Rating

SALT LAKE CITY –Mayor Ralph Becker gathered with Sustainability Director Vicki Bennett, Garth Shaw of GSBS Architects, David Hart of MOCA Systems and representatives from Salt Lake Police and Fire to celebrate the recent LEED Platinum designation for the Public Safety Building.

Platinum is the highest LEED certification available, making the Public Safety Building only the ninth building in the state to achieve this coveted rating.

“The LEED Platinum designation is the culmination of our efforts to design and build a state-of-the-art Public Safety Building that has become a model for other cities across the country,” says Mayor Ralph Becker. “The project showcases Salt Lake City’s leadership to reduce our carbon emissions while enhancing city services.”

In addition to achieving a LEED Platinum rating, the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building was designed to be net zero, meaning it generates as much energy as it consumes. To achieve net zero, the project employed energy efficient building practices, employee engagement on energy use, and renewable energy generation through rooftop solar and an offsite solar farm.

To learn more about the Public Safety Building, click here!

Happy Holidays! From SLCgreen

We’ve had a wonderful 2015, and look forward to an eventful 2016!

Consider Creating an Emergency Air Quality Implementation Plan

Be prepared for poor air quality in Salt Lake City, create an Action Plan!

Breathe Utah has a great Emergency Air Quality Implementation Plan toolkit to help you create your own action plan for bad air days. Enacting a plan can help reduce the number of red air days and improve our community’s health. Utahns are known for emergency preparedness, so why not have an emergency air quality plan in place?

Know in advance when the air quality will be unhealthy;
Plan how to avoid or reduce driving on those days to lessen the health impacts of air pollution on our community;
- Take public transit, carpool, telecommute, trip-chain, walk or bike!
Test the plan in advance to work out any problems before the red or yellow air days are upon us;
Share with others that you have made this plan to inspire them to create their own; and,
Finally, act on your plan, because now you will have a plan in place and will know exactly what to do when the air quality deteriorates.

Thanks Breathe Utah! Visit their website for more details.

Green Holiday Ideas

Here are some tips for a more sustainable holiday season.

Gifts Use recycled wrapping paper! Get creative and make your own with old maps, newspaper, photographs, or paper bags. Here are some more fun ideas!

Give experiences instead of material items. Think a visit to a museum, garden, or aviary, or a ski pass, a yoga or cooking class, a gift certificate to a spa or a ticket to a ballet or sporting event. Or consider donating to an organization on behalf of someone. Make gifts or buy gifts made of recycled materials. If you are going to buy gifts, support local businesses including our e2 businesses which are both local and green!

Food Make sustainable food choices like buying from local growers. Stock up on holiday staples at this weekend’s Winter Market Saturday from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Rio Grande Train Depot.

Incorporate vegan dishes into your holiday traditions. Be creative with leftovers and reduce food waste. Also, use reusable tableware and be sure to recycle glass and cans.

Decorations Here are some fun decorating ideas: String popcorn and cranberries together to make festive decor. Make paper chains with recycled newspapers or magazines and homemade ornaments out of recycled holiday cards. Cut bows from shrubs and trees in your yard and make a homemade wreath. After the holidays, if you have a tree, please put it in the brown compost can.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

SLCgreen Releases 2015 State of Sustainability Report

For the first time ever, Salt Lake City Green has released a State of Sustainability Report. 2015: State of Sustainability in Salt Lake City is an overview of Salt Lake City’s hardworking Sustainability Division, which began in 2008.

The Sustainability Division (otherwise known as Salt Lake City Green, or SLCgreen) aims to preserve and improve our built and natural environments and provide people with information on sustainability issues affecting Salt Lake City. The Division of Sustainability develops goals and strategies to protect our natural resources, reduce pollution, slow climate change, and establish a path toward greater resiliency and vitality for all aspects of our community.

2015: State of Sustainability in Salt Lake City covers the core areas of the division, from air quality, climate change, energy and food to curbside recycling, garbage, compost and glass.

We’re excited to give you a look at what we’ve accomplished to date, and what we’re proud to be working on!

Explore the State of Sustainability. Download the report (PDF).

Feedback? Email us at SLCgreen@slcgov.com.

We’re excited for another fantastic year — see you in 2016!

Community electric cars come to University of Utah

Exciting news from our friends at the University of Utah today! They have announced a new bulk purchase program that offers steep discounts on an array of electric vehicles. Read on for details – SLCgreen

The University of Utah is the first university in the country to sponsor a community-level electric vehicle purchase program that includes discounts on multiple makes and models.

U Community Drive Electric offers members of the U community, including faculty, staff, students, alumni and campus guests in Salt Lake, Summit, Weber, Tooele, Utah and Davis counties, the opportunity to purchase or lease electric vehicles at a discount of 5 percent to 20 percent off of MSRP. The limited-time program launches today, Dec. 14, and runs through Dec. 31, 2015.

Car dealers are able to offer a discount because these types of community programs tend to generate more customers in close proximity during a specific timeframe. There are three participating car dealers: BMW of Murray, Larry H. Miller Ford Lincoln – Sandy and Tim Dahle Nissan of Murray.

There will be a community workshop with questions and answers, Thursday, Dec. 17, 6-7:30 p.m. at the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building on the 7th floor, 7170.

This program is part of the university’s goal to implement creative solutions to lessen its environmental impact and to improve conditions for the community and future generations. With almost 50 percent of Utah’s urban air pollution coming from tailpipe emissions, electric vehicles represent an important tool for improving air quality along the Wasatch Front.

“We are excited to support U community members’ access to emissions-reducing cars that will improve air quality,” said University of Utah Chief Sustainability Officer Amy Wildermuth.

To offer this incentive, the Sustainability Office is partnering with Utah Clean Energy, a nonprofit, public interest organization that works to drive the transition to a clean energy future. The program is enabled by a generous grant from Utah Clean Air Partnership, or UCAIR, which encourages businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations to invest in emissions-reducing and energy-efficient technologies.

“This is a terrific program recognizing the positive impact electric cars can have on air quality,” said UCAIR Director Ted Wilson. “I congratulate the University of Utah and Utah Clean Energy for forming a strong program making electric cars more economical to buy. Once owned, they are clean and simple with almost no maintenance. In other words, both economically smart and a fine contribution to better air.”

“The support of UCAIR is key to U Community Drive Electric,” said Wildermuth. “This unique opportunity will allow individuals to make a meaningful difference for our local community and will serve as a model to others for what is possible. Reducing tailpipe emissions is just one of the many ways we are working to improve local air quality. With UCAIR support and partnership with Utah Clean Energy, we hope to help make a significant contribution.”

In addition to increasing awareness about electric vehicles’ impact on Utah’s air quality, the organizers of U Drive Electric hope to connect the benefits of combining solar power with electric vehicles.

“Fully electric vehicles have no tailpipe,” said Utah Clean Energy Executive Director Sarah Wright. “They eliminate 99 percent of the smog-producing volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide emitted by gas-fueled cars in our airshed. And when powered by solar energy, they are truly pollution free.”

U Drive Electric will also include plug-in hybrids to provide an opportunity for people who require a longer-range option to participate in the program. Including these vehicles maximizes the choices for consumers, which will ultimately help even more community members reduce their pollution.

Participating community members will sign up for the program with Utah Clean Energy at www.udriveelectric.org. Once registered, participants work directly with any of the selected dealers to purchase the electric car of their choice. Participants must sign a contract before Dec. 31, 2015, to guarantee the discount.

For more information about the U Community Drive Electric program, visit www.udriveelectric.org.

About Sustainability at the University of Utah
The University of Utah is committed to integrating sustainability across all areas of the institution, including academics, operations and administration. Additionally, the university is supporting sustainability efforts and research under the Sustainability Office to better streamline initiatives and collaboration across campus.

About UCAIR
UCAIR is a statewide clean air partnership created to make it easier for individuals, businesses and communities to make small changes to improve Utah’s air quality. Every small change adds to a collective bigger step toward better health, a better economy and better overall quality of life for all of us.

About Utah Clean Energy
Utah Clean Energy is Utah’s leading expert public interest organization working to expand renewable energy and energy efficiency in a way that is beneficial not only for Utah’s environment and health, but also our economy and long-term energy security. Utah Clean Energy is committed to creating a future that ensures healthy, thriving communities for all, empowered and sustained by clean energies such as solar, wind and energy efficiency.

Winterize Your Home- Energy Saving Tips

Basic tips for saving money and increasing energy efficiency this winter!

Insulate your windows. Single pane windows are especially inefficient, but double pane windows can also benefit from insulation. Plastic film kits range from $10-$30, are easy to install, and effective. According to Lowe’s, window film can help retain up to 55% of your home’s heat in winter! If you are feeling ambitious, consider installing storm doors and windows!
Dodge the drafts. Do you have cold air sneaking in at the base of your door? Use a rolled bath towel placed at the base of the door to block the air. Or use an old sock or sew together some old fabric scraps and fill with sand or rice. Here are some draft stopper ideas!
Photo Credit: Frugal Homemaking

Change your furnace filter. Dirty filters restrict air flow and increase energy demand. Changing your filter once a month is recommended during the heating season, or use a permanent filter to reduce waste.
Set your water heater to 120 degrees (or lower). Water heaters are often set to 140 degrees which is likely higher than necessary. Lower the temperature to reduce your water heating costs.
Turn down your thermostat. This is one of the surest ways to save money. For every degree you lower the thermostat during heating season, you’ll save between 1 and 3 percent of your heating bill. Try 68 degrees, or lower when asleep or away from home. And dress warmer for winter, wear a sweater!

Enjoy the winter season!

Green Thanksgiving Ideas

1. Planning your holiday menu? What better place to do your Thanksgiving shopping than at the pre-Thanksgiving edition Winter Market at the Rio Grande, Saturday, November 21st? Feature local food on your table this season. Utah growers will be selling holiday staples: onions, potatoes, carrots, winter squash, pumpkin, apples and more!

2. Try Vegducken, a delicious and beautifully layered vegetarian entrée.

Here are some great additional vegetarian recipes!

3. Resist the urge to use disposable table settings. Have a dish-washing party with your guests. Many hands make work light!

4. Be creative with leftovers! Share them amongst guests. Re-purpose them into sandwiches and soups! Use re-usable containers for storage.

5. Compost and recycle. Remember plant based food scraps can go in the brown compost can!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.