Show me the green
Columbus stands to save cash with new green measures
By Mark J. Lucas |
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Going green is well known as being ecologically friendly, but some initiatives in the push to lighten our ecological footprint on the planet are also financially beneficial. A slightly higher cost in the short term can equal major savings in the long term. The City of Columbus and local organizations are doing what they can to kick start protocols aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing waste and, looked at over time, some of the measures being taken could result in significantly saving taxpayer money.
"There are a number of initiatives that the mayor has put forward to save money and the environment," says Dan Williamson, Communication Director for Mayor Michael Coleman. "Our Fleet Division has really been a leader on efficiency. Technology has changed the way our computers power on and off, depending on usage. There have also been executive orders limiting the idling of city vehicles and requiring the printing of 2-sided documents to lower waste. It's money that is saved in the long run."
The city has also moved to parts-washers for city vehicles that are self-contained, produce no waste, and will save an estimated $210,000 over the 10-year lifespan of the units. In addition, a number of new city buildings will now be outfitted with energy efficient measures, such as computer controlled heating, fluorescent bulbs, and designs which minimize electricity usage for heat purposes. All this saves the city money that can be utilized for other purposes, thus reducing the need for tax increases in the future.
The Central Ohio Transit Authority has taken steps to reduce their costs, as well.
"By maintaining our vehicles better, we're going to use less fuel and save more money for the taxpayer," says Marty Stutz, a spokesperson for COTA. "We're also looking at technology that will monitor tire pressure. Correct tire pressure means better gas mileage and longer life for tires. With 400 vehicles in our fleet, that results in serious savings."
At the end of this year, COTA will receive its first hybrid bus, and in early 2010, will be getting five or six more.
"Most of the time, a bus is operating in city traffic and is idling," says Stutz. "If we can cut that, we are saving big money in fuel cost and lowering our carbon footprint. If we're pleased with those results, that will be a bigger part of our bus purchasing in the future. We're also in the process of switching over our non-revenue vehicles [COTA vehicles that are not buses] to hybrids."
The Columbus Green Building Forum is an organization comprised of experts in design, construction, and engineering who promote and educate public and private sector bodies in the benefits of sustainable development. In recent years, they have worked with the Mayor's "Green Team" to improve the designs of public buildings. Started in 2003 by architect Meera Parthasarathy, CGBF is completely open to the public and has helped developed coursework for The Ohio State University and Columbus City Schools on the importance and function of sustainability in our city. On May 19th, CGBF will host the Green Building Expo in tandem with the Get Green Business Conference, which will feature workshops for developers and private property owners about green building initiatives that are not only environmentally friendly, but will save money as well.
"We want people to understand that these aren't experimental measures," says Parthasarathy, "These are things that are already being used around the country."
Greener, more energy efficient buildings make the transition toward energy independence that much more of a reality, but of course there are concerns with green building. Though measures can save money, they must also be balanced with the historical concerns of certain areas of the city. Most renovation goes unseen from the street, but things like solar panels and water recyclers aren't always pretty or historically accurate. These factors can affect funding for historic areas and property values, which have a large economic impact on Columbus, but fortunately, organizations are in place to guide new projects so that they can be sustainable while maintaining guidelines, as well.
"We are very supportive of green projects and sustainable development," said Jodi Graichen, director of preservation programs for the German Village Society. "Any changes made to an historic building must be cleared by the board. We would review anything that could be seen from the street, or that might be placed on a slate roof. Our job is first and foremost to preserve the historic nature of the area, but anything of that nature is definitely open to discussion."
Greener construction, energy usage, and waste management practices do lighten our ecological footprint on the planet, but many have the added perk of saving us all a little cash as well. Columbus is in the beginning stages of recreating itself as a sustainable city, but there is still a long way to go. Fortunately, many in our city government are on the case, because it's good for the environment, and it's good for the budget, as well.
Originally Published: May 1, 2009
