April 13, 2007

Earth Day 2007

City departments take steps to reduce energy, water use

By LOU PENDLETON

Earth Day, held each year on April 22, started in 1970 as a national day to recognize the environment. Now Earth Day is celebrated annually around the globe by more than 500 million people in 175 countries. While Earth Day has grown into a world-wide campaign to protect our global environment, its message remains rooted in the simple things people can do around their homes and workplaces to reduce the environmental impacts of everyday activities.

The Bryan Board of Public Affairs and Bryan Municipal Utilities have made a commitment to reduce the city’s environmental footprint by purchasing green power, reducing energy and water use, and preventing pollution. Recently, the Board set a goal of deriving 20 percent of the city’s power from renewable sources by 2015. Last month, the utility purchased the city’s first hybrid vehicle, and this spring, it plans to add a blend of 15 or 20 percent biodiesel to its fleet fuel.

To encourage Bryan residents to get involved, Bryan Municipal Utilities gave away more than 550 energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to it customers in January and February. CFLs use 66 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

Following recommendations of a citywide energy audit, the utility is purchasing programmable thermostats to curb energy use at nights and on weekends. Brian Carlin, electric department superintendent, said his department has also adopted a “lights-off” policy that directs employees to turn off all lights when leaving a work area.

The electric department is also investigating motion-detector switches for restrooms and storage areas. The switches replace standard light switches and automatically turn on the lights whenever anyone walks into the room. The motion-sensor switches also have a time-delay feature, so that the lights will turn back off after a pre-set time interval.

Matt Struble, supervisor at the power plant, said they recently installed energy efficient heaters in the turbine houses and energy efficient lights and LED exit signs in the plant. They also purchased Energy Star qualified SCADA monitors and turned down the thermostats in the building to 50 degrees.

“Turning down the thermostats saved us a lot on our gas bill,” said Mr. Struble. “Wherever we can, we are trying to reduce our energy use. We are currently investigating a solar power supply to run the sump pumps at the substations and possibly solar-powered lights in the substation yards.”

City engineering has two solar-power projects planned for this summer. Along with some funds from the electric department, City Engineer Brian Wieland has purchased a solar-powered school zone flashing light for use at Bryan High School. “We are going to try a solar-powered light at the high school and see how it goes. If it works out, we will put one at the Middle School on Center Street next,” Mr. Wieland said.

Mr. Wieland has also ordered a solar-powered flashing pedestrian light for the crosswalk at the hospital and Bryan Medical Group on West High Street. He said the solar-powered light was cheaper than the cost to bore and install electrical lines to operate an electric light. Mr. Wieland said he is considering additional solar-power options for the city.

Bryan’s Parks and Recreation Department is actively implementing energy reduction measures. They recently installed programmable thermostats in the maintenance building and Bryan Community Center and ordered motion-detector switches for all the restrooms in the parks. Dave Harrison, maintenance supervisor, said they are in the process of installing energy efficient lights and LED exit signs in their facilities and timers on the tennis and basketball court lights.

The Bryan Water Department does its part to save electricity by pumping water during off-peak hours to reduce energy demand. Norm Echler, water superintendent, said he has also installed a timer on the office water heater so that it heats only during the day.

Earth Day is not only about conserving energy. Conserving water and protecting our water source are also high on the agenda. Ric Homier, wastewater treatment superintendent, said they now reuse effluent water as cooling water at the plant instead of city water, saving 4.8 million gallons of water each year.

According to Mike Speelman, supervisor of Bryan’s Recycling Center, residents are doing a great job recycling. “Each year, the amount we take in increases. Last year, we recycled 3.2 million pounds of material [glass, cans, cardboard, newspaper, magazines, plastic, grass and leaves.]” Drop-off bins are available at the center on Buffalo Road 24/7, 365 days a year, so it is easy to make every day Earth Day.