1. Hennepin County

2. What is Cool Counties?
A pledge to take action on Climate Change

Inventory greenhouse gas emissions from internal operations
–
Implement policies and programs to reduce emissions
–
Coordinate efforts with Minnesota State departments
–
Support state legislation that is consistent with Hennepin
–
County’s goals
Urge action at the federal level to reduce emissions
–

3. Why Join Cool Counties?
Minnesota has already codified strict GHG

reductions
Enhances existing HC policies & programs for

energy efficiency
Ensures measurement & documentation of HC’s

emission reductions
Provides direction to county departments


4. Minnesota Goals Compared to
Cool Counties
GHG Emission Reduction Goals
Cool County
MN
100
90
80
70
% Goal
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Year

5. Compile an accurate emissions inventory
Create emissions baseline and past 3-5 years
–
accomplishments
86 owned facilities, 57 leased facilities, 676 vehicles
–
Establish recordkeeping requirements and protocols;
–
identify responsible parties
Recommend reductions from County operations
–
Review & Assess GHG monitoring and reporting protocols
–
Identify federal, state & other grant opportunities
–

6. Hennepin County CO2 emissions
• Based on self-reporting by
individual departments in
2007
early 2008. Emissions not
Libraries 4,971 accounted for include: ex
City libraries, corrections,
Mobile sources 6,693* tax forfeit property, or
scope 3 emissions.
Leased Buildings 8,226
• 2007 Emissions:
Property Services 49,307
Direct 195,841
Energy Center 37,115
Indirect 70,475
HERC 160,004*
Total (metric tons) 266,316
* = anthropogenic

7. Renewable Energy Projects
Solar array at Public Works building

Wind Turbine at Public Works building


8. Hennepin County
Wind Turbine Project
1.5-2 MW wind turbine at PW Facility in Medina
Clean Renewable Energy Bond awarded by IRS
–
Wind analysis completed by WindLogics
–
Project has Planned Unit Development (PUD) approval by
–
City
RFP issued February 4, 2009
–

10. Solar energy projects
Medina Public Works Building 80 kW

Panels mounted on beams above the roof
–
528 modules 185 watts each
–
Completion in late February 2009
–

14. Transportation
Increased percentage of bio-diesel

Shared E85 fueling station with City of Minneapolis

Adopted a new idling policy

Downsizing vehicles

8 hybrids, 186 flex fuel, 175 biodiesel

Experimenting with nitrogen filled tires

Converted 36 signals to LEDs, saving over 400,000

kWh / year

15. HERC
• Constructed a steam line to the new Ball Park
• Signed a Joint Energy Efficiency Plan with Xcel,
including turbine replacement with potential annual
savings of 15,000,000 kWh

17. Employee Programs
All printers default to double-sided copying

Telecommuting, 2011 employees in 2007

Subsidized transit passes to encourage use

of public transportation

18. Outreach & Community Involvement
• Launched a Cool County web site
• Host an annual Cool County Fair
• Produce a Green Notes e-newsletter

19. Buildings
Government Center
1,501,950 sq. ft.

$2,970,000 in utilities/yr

3000 employees

20,000 tons of CO2/yr

13 tons CO2/1000 sq. ft.


20. Recommissioning HCGC
Study done in 2007, implementation in progress

10 year or less payback

Cost to implement ECO’s is $650,000

Energy savings estimated at $200,000 annually

Overall payback is 3.25 years

CO2 reduction of 1,800 tons annually


21. The ECO’s
13%
Lighting
37%
Controls
HVAC
50%

22. Big Ticket Items
Lighting controls in courtrooms $20,000

Outside air adjustments $65,000

Reduce airflow when heating $20,000

Communication room transfer fans $25,000


23. Current Plan
Temperature set points 69°F and 75°F

Eliminate personal appliances

Expedite recommissioning of all buildings

Central Library study underway
–
HCMC completed
–
Remaining buildings
–
Continue to update controls systems

Replace old HVAC systems

Lighting, lighting, lighting


24. Lighting
Relamping from 32w to 25w tubes

Fixture upgrades

Occupancy sensors

County Government Initiative

One-stop lighting surveys
–
Increased rebates
–

25. Lighting Savings
Relamping libraries
 220,000 kWh reduced so far
 15-25% electrical cost savings
 60% discount with CGI rebate
 1 year payback
 Reduction of 200 tons CO2 annually

26. New Libraries
Plymouth and Maple Grove Libraries
 Geothermal heating and cooling
 Daylighting
 Automated lighting controls
 Premium efficiency motors
 Green roof
 Permeable pavers
 Native building materials

27. Questions?
by
Andrew Leith
andrew.leith@co.hennepin.mn.us
and
Leah Hiniker
leah.hiniker@co.hennepin.mn.us