'Green print' saves county greenbacks

From an article by Steve Schultze of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

$800,000 in energy saving has been realized from efficiency program

Milwaukee County has reaped some $800,000 in energy saving from its "green print" environmental program, as well as millions of gallons of water and gasoline saved through more efficient plumbing, cars and trucks.

Though slow to adopt "green" efficiencies, the county jump-started its efforts once a half-time sustainability director was assigned to monitor the program in early 2009. Since then, the courthouse complex and more than 50 other county buildings either have undergone energy audits or soon will.

Lighting, heating, cooling and other upgrades enabled the saving, though it's applied to upfront costs of some $10 million. In theory, after eight years the costs through contracts with private vendors will be covered, and savings will go to the county's bottom line.

"I'm happy with the successes we've had with the resources we've been given," said Supervisor Marina Dimitrijevic, who pushed for the program's creation in 2007. She said more could be done if the county would add more staff time to the effort.

It took more than a year to designate a green print coordinator, with the county's budget problems hindering the initiative.

"By having small changes all over the place, we'll have a very huge result," said Dimitrijevic.

Posted in: Energy conservation,Energy efficiency