At the Board of Commissioners meeting on February 17, Multnomah County received an Energy Incentive check from the Energy Trust of Oregon in the amount of $342,658.14. Peter West, Director of Energy Programs for Energy Trust of Oregon; Murali Varahasamy, Consultant for Energy Trust of Oregon; Bob Thomas, Director Facilities and Property Management; and Larry Whitney, Project Manager presented the check to Chair Jeff Cogen and the board.
The funds will go towards a countywide project of upgrading 38 Multnomah County facilities. By installing automation systems in these buildings, the county’s buildings will be able to be monitored both internally and online, strategically scheduled and adjusted to be the most cost effective occupancy possible. Scope of the work includes new and upgraded controls in 38 county facilities to provide for lighting, HVAC and utility use.
The ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) stimulus Building Automation System project was funded from ARRA and Energy Trust of Oregon Energy incentives.
The building automation system upgrades will add to Multnomah County's existing effort for energy efficiency and high performance buildings. In 2008, the county adopted a LEED Gold and High Performance Policy that ensures all new Multnomah County building projects and renovations will aim for U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Gold certification. The policy also adopts portions of the Architecture 2030 Challenge for carbon neutrality and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Some Multnomah County buildings also house eco-roofs that minimize the harmful environmental effects of a roof by absorbing rainwater that would otherwise pollute local rivers as stormwater runoff. The Amy Joslin Memorial Eco-Roof on the Multnomah Building evaporates approximately 25% of the building's water runoff and reduces air conditioning load by 5-10%. The Central Library Eco-Roof also provides public education about sustainability issues and reduces energy and maintenance costs for the county.
Last year Multnomah County also adopted a new Sustainable Purchasing Policy in an effort to spend public funds on goods and services with low negative environmental impact.
Learn more about the county's sustainable projects and policies on the Office of Sustainability's website.