As part of the iwatch™ Speed Awareness Program, speed cushions have been installed in the Briar Ridge neighborhood (bounded by Colorado Boulevard, Woodglen Boulevard, 120th Avenue, and Cherry Drive) and the Woodglen – East of Colorado Boulevard neighborhood (bounded by Colorado Boulevard, 112th Avenue, Holly Street, 115th Avenue, Clermont Street, and Woodglen Boulevard). The City partnered with residents in each of these neighborhoods on installation of the speed reduction devices.

Construction to begin on the City Hall Energy Efficiency Project

2/9/2011

On Wednesday, February 23, construction is scheduled to begin on the City Hall Energy Efficiency Project. This project is partially funded by a grant from the Department of Energy under the ARRA stimulus program. The first phase includes HVAC upgrades to the Council Chambers, the Foyer/Exhibit Display areas, the Council Conference Room, and the Computer Training Room 1A. The Council Chambers work will conclude on March 7, at which time the Chambers will reopen. The work in the Council Conference Room and in the Computer Training Room 1A is scheduled to conclude on March 24. The project is expected to improve energy efficiency by permitting temperature setbacks during off hours. We also anticipate being able to better control the office environment. Additional benefits include new more efficient lighting, new ceiling grid, and reworking and improving the layout of the above ceiling data cabling. If you have any questions about the project, contact Thornton Contract Administrator Paul Spacese at 303-538-7647

Carpenter Recreation Center achieves LEED certification

1/5/2011

Management Services has obtained a LEED Certified rating for the Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center. The rating was issued by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Achieving this rating on an existing building of this age, type and use is no small accomplishment. The replacement of the Rec Center pool's heating and cooling equipment and recent energy-use enhancements to the mechanical and electrical systems were major factors in achieving the reductions in consumption necessary to earn this award. These changes have resulted in an estimated annual savings of 20 percent in energy use, a reduction of carbon emissions by 1,247,997 pounds, and a savings of $42,109. The LEED certification recognized enhancements to sustainable approaches including water conservation, energy consumption, purchasing practices, cleaning methods, transportation, and other similar improvements.

Heated traffic signal LEDs

10/6/2010

The City of Thornton has converted most of the incandescent bulbs used in the red, yellow, and green lights at traffic signals to more energy efficient light emitting diode (LED) red, yellow, and green signal faces. The LED signal faces do not generate as much heat as incandescent bulbs, resulting in a significant amount of snow build-up during heavy snowstorms, typically on the southbound approaches to an intersection. A new thermostat controlled device will be tested this winter to try and reduce the amount of snow build-up that is occurring. The device has been installed on one signal face on the southbound approach to 120th Avenue and Washington Street and one signal face on the southbound approach to Washington Street and Thornton Parkway.

Solar Power for City Hall and the MWC Recreation Center

9/17/2010

As part of the “Green” efforts included in City Council’s Work Plan, photovoltaic panels (solar) have been installed on the roof of the City Development wing of City Hall and are expected to begin producing electrical power in the next few weeks as they are commissioned and activated. Solar panel installation is underway at the Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center and is scheduled to be complete later this fall. This project is funded by an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in the amount of $371,000. In addition, credit from XCEL in the amount of approximately $298,000 is contributing to this project.

The renewable power generated is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 330,000 lbs/year. Cost savings in the reduction of the City’s electrical bills are projected to be $15,000 annually. City Council continues to direct the implementation of significant green projects that champion renewable and or alternate energy development and use.

Recharge Colorado to offer rebates for energy efficient upgrades

4/19/2010

Beginning April 19, the Governor’s Energy Office launches a statewide rebate program called Recharge Colorado. It will provide nearly 75,000 rebates worth approximately $22 million to bring energy efficiency and renewable energy to Coloradans. The bulk of the funding for the program is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Local partners across Colorado provided additional dollars. Residents can sign up for rebates on the programs Web site, which goes live on April 19, for a wide array of appliances, services and equipment including:

dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, furnaces and hot water heaters.
insulation and air sealing, duct sealing, whole-house energy audits and whole-house energy monitors.
solar photovoltaic systems, solar hot water systems for homes and businesses and small wind installations.

For more information call 1-800-462-0184.

Hybrid and High-Efficiency vehicle comparison

3/22/2010

In 2008, the City purchased two Hybrid vehicles – a Toyota Prius and a Ford Escape – as part of a pilot program to study the effectiveness of these vehicles in Thornton’s operational settings. The goal is to have a fleet that is both more fuel efficient and still meets the demands of the job. Staff recently conducted a miles per gallon (mpg) comparison for these vehicles as well as for some high-efficiency Chevy Malibus purchased in 2010 for police detectives. Comparison of actual mpg identified the following results:

the Ford Escape Hybrid, currently averaging 24.8 mpg, identified an overall increase of approximately 9.7 miles per gallon when compared to other similar sized vehicles
the Toyota Prius averages approximately 46.5 mpg with similar vehicles averaging around 22 mpg
the Chevy Malibus are currently averaging approximately 26 mpg compared to similar vehicles averaging around 22 mpg

Staff will use the data in future fleet purchase/green decisions.

Phase I Energy Efficiency Projects Update

1/25/2010

All of the energy efficiency projects have been substantially completed with the exception of the City Hall second floor heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC.)

HVAC controls improvements that facilitated the implementation of energy saving temperature setbacks programs. This project was delayed so it could be combined with funding the City received through the EECBG Grant Program thereby leveraging these funds. The City-wide projects now completed include work on the following facilities:

Community Center work including controls sequencing improvements and the implementation of temperature setbacks.
Infrastructure Maintenance Center (IMC) work to the controls system which will facilitate better management of temperatures including setbacks.
Management Services Center (MSC) improvements including the replacement of an older, inefficient boiler with a new more efficient model, a similar replacement of an older air handling unit, upgrade to HVAC controls which allows for improvements in air temperatures and the implementation of setback programs.
Justice Center improvements including HVAC controls and motion sensors to control lighting in some spaces. We have also put into place a temperature setback program for this facility.
Modification to the Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center HVAC ducts and building systems controls which improved the efficiency of the cooling, heating and boiler operations in this facility.

These improvements resulted in a projected annual savings of 1.14 million kilowatt hours of electricity, 28,000 therms of natural gas, and a combined total of 3.46 million pounds of carbon footprint reduction. These projects were performed as part of City Council’s direction and initiative to take “Blue to Green.”

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