The City of Appleton maintains over 1.3 million square feet of facilities, 1.1 million square feet of parking structures, and 700 acres of grounds. The 15 largest city facilities accounted for over 23.1 million kWh and 866,000 therms during 2010. This is down considerably from our high of 24.1 million kWh and 1.06 million therms in 2008. Two of these facilities include a water plant and a wastewater plant which account for 75% of our utilities usage. Knowing this, much effort was targeted in lowering utility usage at the plants in conjunction with lowering utility usage at our other facilities. In April of 2011 a bio-gas project at our wastewater plant will be completed and is anticipated to reduce energy usage by 300,000 therms. The project captures methane currently flared and uses it as a fuel in two boilers to meet the majority of heating needs at this campus. Other significant projects include: The City also understands that sustainability is much more than just energy reduction. For example, as the City performs demolition of the former Water Treatment Plant, we are taking every initiative to recycle or reuse materials. The project started with removing any materials that could be recycled and will conclude with grinding much of the concrete material and reusing it for fill. The above initiatives focused on our efforts within our facilities, but the City has also had equal success towards sustainability in the areas of redevelopment, recycling, mass transit, use of alternative fuels, responsible chemical usage, storm water management, etc. Written by City of Appleton representatives. Fore more information about Appleton, visit the website.
Regardless of rising energy costs or the validity of human impact on global temperature changes, local governments owe it to their taxpayers and local communities to build and maintain facilities with a focus on energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental quality that reduces operational costs that are paid by taxpayers. As stewards of the City of Appleton’s facilities and real property, the Facilities, Grounds, and Construction Management Department is committed to managing our facilities with this focus.