City of Fort Collins
2001/2002 CLIMATE PROTECTION
STATUS REPORT
August 2003
Prepared by
The City of Fort Collins
Energy Management Team
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary……………………………………………………………....i
I.
Status of Climate Change Science…………………………………………1
II.
Fort Collins Greenhouse Gas Emissions for 2001/2002 ...............………..3
III. City of Fort Collins Municipal GHG Emissions...........................………..5
IV. Status of Climate Protection Actions...........................................................7
Transportation ..............................................................................................9
VMT Goal........................................................................................9
Mason Street Project .....................................................................10
TDM Program................................................................................10
Alternative Fueled City Fleet Vehicles…………………………..11
ULEV/ZEV Vehicles for City Fleets.............................................11
Clean Cities Program .....................................................................11
Fort Collins – Denver Commuter Rail...........................................12
Parks Satellite Shops......................................................................12
Hydrogen Task Force.....................................................................12
Energy........................................................................................................13
Fort Collins Electricity Distribution System Improvements .........13
1996 City Energy Code..................................................................13
Climate Wise for Local Businesses ...............................................13
CSU’s Industrial Assessment Center .............................................15
Fort Collins Utilities Wind Power Program...................................15
Wind Power for City Facilities ......................................................16
Zero Interest Loans for Conservation Help (ZILCH) ....................16
Replace Incandescent Traffic Signals with LED’s ........................16
Lighting Upgrades in City Buildings (‘93-’01) .............................16
City Buildings Use Variable Frequency Drives.............................16
City Government Chillers ..............................................................17
Energy Efficiency in the Commercial Sector ................................17
Cooling Rebate Program................................................................17
Reduce City Building Energy Use 15% per s.f..............................18
Energy Efficiency at Wastewater Treatment Plant........................19
Energy Efficiency at Waste Treatment Facility.............................19
Green Building Program ................................................................20
Increase Energy Efficiency Training for Builders .........................20
Lobby for Mandatory Renewables in Deregulation.......................20
Solid Waste ................................................................................................21
50% Waste Reduction Goal ...........................................................21
Business Recycling ........................................................................21
Residential Recycling ....................................................................21
Rivendell Second Centralized Recycling Drop-off Site ................22
Methane Flaring and Heat Recovery .............................................22
Larimer County Wood Waste Diversion Project ...........................22
Construction Debris Recycling Pilot .............................................22
Landfill Gas to Energy...................................................................23
Municipal Recycling Program .......................................................23
Vegetation ..................................................................................................23
Increase Tree-planting citywide.....................................................23
Purchasing..................................................................................................24
Electronic Document Distribution and Archive ............................24
Climate Change Education and Outreach ..................................................24
Summary of Priority Action Recommended for 2001/2002......................27
V.
Future Actions..........................................................................................28
APPENDIX A – Data Sources
LIST OF ACRONYMS
CO2
CO2e
CCP
CH4
CIP
CMAQ
CNG
CSU
DSM
EPA
F
GGE
GHG
HVAC
IAC
ICLEI
ICMA
IPCC
carbon dioxide
carbon dioxide equivalent (methane
is converted to CO2e)
Cities for Climate Protection
methane
capitol improvement projects
Congestion Mitigation & Air
Quality
compressed natural gas
Colorado State University
demand side management (energy
conservation)
Environmental Protection Agency
degrees Fahrenheit
gallon of gas equivalent
greenhouse gases
heating ventilation air conditioning
system
Industrial Assessment Center
International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives
International City/County
Management Association
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change
kWh
LAP
kilowatt hour
Fort Collins Local Action Plan to
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
LED
light emitting diode
LUTRAQ Land Use, Transportation, and Air
Quality
MSW
Municipal Solid Waste
NRD
City of Fort Collins Natural
Resources department
NSR
New Source Review (part of the
City’s Development Review
process)
P2
Pollution Prevention
PRPA
Platte River Power Authority
PSD
Poudre School District
RFP
request for proposal
TAFS
Transportation Alternatives
Feasibility Study
TDM
Transportation Demand
Management
ULEV
ultra low emission vehicles
VMT
vehicle miles traveled
ZEV
zero emission vehicles
ZILCH
Zero Interest Loans for Conservation
Help
Executive Summary
Background
In 1997, Fort Collins joined over 300 cities (now 500) in the international Cities for Climate
Protection Campaign. In doing so, the City made a commitment to conduct a greenhouse gas
inventory for the baseline year of 1990, set a greenhouse gas reduction target, and develop a plan
for meeting the target. A Staff Technical Team and a Citizen Advisory Committee spent over 18
months developing a climate protection plan for the city.
In 1999, Fort Collins City Council adopted the Fort Collins Local Action Plan to Reduce
Greenhouse Gas Emissions (LAP). The City’s greenhouse gas reduction target was established
as “30 percent reduction below predicted worst-case 2010 levels”. The City Council also called
for formation of an Energy Management Team to facilitate implementation of the LAP, and
preparation of a biennial report to evaluate the City’s progress on greenhouse gas reduction
efforts and to recommend future climate protection actions.
The first biennial report was completed in April 2001. It showed that Fort Collins’ residents,
businesses and the City government together avoided an estimated 190,000 tons CO2e in the year
2000 alone. The Energy Management Team then completed Fort Collins Municipal Climate
Protection Plan in June of 2001. This plan documents the municipal climate protection program
structure, (then) current initiatives, and future plans for the City to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions associated with municipal operations. A municipal greenhouse gas reduction target
was not set, but individual targets such as “Reduce City Building Energy Consumption 15% per
square foot” were established.
This report is the second biennial “Climate Protection Status Report” that the Energy
Management Team has prepared for the City Manager. It covers the years 2001 and 2002, and it
addresses municipal as well as citywide greenhouse gas mitigation activities and provides
recommendations for future actions.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Level
In the last decade, greenhouse gas emissions across the city rose from 1.36 million tons of CO2e
in 1990 to 2.21 million tons in 2002, a 62 % increase. During the same time, population
increased by 45%. Between 1997 and 2001, there was a slight (1.7%) decrease in per capita
emissions. Per capita emissions rose again slightly between 2001 and 2002.
Fort Collins Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Fort Collins Per Capita Emissions
(Tons CO2e)
(x 1000 Tons CO2e)
2500
2051
18.00
2207
17.53
17.50
1862
2000
1500
2109
1623
17.29
17.23
17.40
17.00
1366
16.27
16.50
16.00
1000
15.56
15.50
500
15.00
0
1990
1995
City of Fort Collins
1997
2000
2001
14.50
2002
1990
i
1995
1997
2000
2001
2002
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
The Good News…..
GHG Reductions
(Actual and Target)
4,000
30 % reduction
3,500
3,000
10% reduction
2,500
Target
2,000
Actual
1,000 tons CO2e
It is estimated that nearly 237,000 tons of
CO2e were avoided in Fort Collins in 2001,
based on all measures that could be
quantified in that year. These quantifiable
climate protection activities have reduced
citywide emissions by 10% in the year
2001! Citywide emissions would have been
2.35 million tons instead of 2.11 tons in the
absence of actions to reduce emissions.
This is a one percent increase over the 9%
reduction measured in 2000. In 2002, it is
estimated that 221,000 tons of CO2e were
reduced, excluding complete benefits from
Climate Wise partners that have not been
quantified yet.
1,500
Reductions
Emissions
1,000
500
0
2001
2010
The tables below summarizes GHG reduction efforts of resident and businesses (Citywide) and
of the City government (Municipal). Recycling activities continue to account for the largest
share of measurable GHG reductions. This is partly because benefits are estimated not only from
emissions avoided by not land-filling materials, but also from avoided upstream emissions
associated with manufacturing new products.
GHG Reduction Summary
Citywide
Tons CO2 reduced in 2001
206,698
Tons CO2 reduced in 2002
191,307
Municipal
36,665
32,134
Total
236,854
221,430
Citywide GHG Reduction Measures (June 2003)
Citywide Quantifiable Measures
TRANSPORTATION
TDM Programs, including VAN GO
Transportation Total
SOLID WASTE
Business Recycling
Residential Recycling
Larimer County Wood Waste Diversion
C&D Pilot - Phase II
Solid Waste Total
ENERGY
3
Climate Wise for businesses
1997 City Energy Code
Wind Power Program
CSU's Industrial Assessment Center
City of Fort Collins
Tons CO2
reduced in
2001
Tons CO2
reduced in
2002
1,387
1,387
1,369
1,369
81,428
22,366
1,621
127
105,542
86,928
20,517
841
0
108,286
50,882
12,357
10,407
4,505
29,464
13,317
12,510
4,505
ii
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
ZILCH ('90 - '00)
472
570
Cooling Rebate
0
195
Energy Total
78,623
60,561
VEGETATION
CO2 Sequestration by trees
21,071
21,071
Increase citywide tree planting
76
20
Vegetation Total
21,147
21,091
CITYWIDE TOTAL
206,698
191,307
3
Quantification of the Climate Wise business partner activities is not complete for 2002.
Municipal Government GHG Reduction Measures (June 2003)
Municipal Quantifiable Measures
TRANSPORTATION
City Employee Alt Modes
Alternative Fuels - City Fleet vehicles
Hybrid Vehicles - City Fleet vehicles
Parks Satellite Shop
Transportation Total
SOLID WASTE
Methane Flaring and Heat Recovery
City gov recycling
Solid Waste Total
ENERGY
FC Electricity Distribution
City Gov Wind Turbine
Replace Traffic Signals with LEDs
Design Assistance for 215/Harmony Lib
Lighting Upgrades in City Buildings
Converting to Variable Freq. Drives
(thru ’98)
Chillers
Energy Total
PURCHASING
Electronic Document Archive &
Distribution
Purchasing Total
MUNICIPAL TOTAL
City of Fort Collins
Tons CO2
reduced in
2001
Tons CO2
reduced in
2002
236
2
0
238
197
174
3
2
376
4,725
553
5,278
7,673
602
8,274
27,542
1,898
1,087
262
313
45
18,839
2,241
1,551
383
313
45
31,147
109
23,480
1
3
1
3
36,665
32,134
iii
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
2001/ 2002 Highlights
March 2001
• The top-rate GHG reduction measure was implemented with the major retrofit of traffic
signals to energy efficient LED’s.
January 2002
• A seven minute video outlining the basic principles behind global warming and the
importance of actions individuals can take to help reduce greenhouse gases was aired on
Channel 27 throughout the month.
February 2002
• Fort Collins received the 5th star (top) award from ICLEI for efforts to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.
• Fort Collins Utilities and Platte River Power Authority won the Utility Leadership Award
from the American Wind Energy Association.
March 2002
• The Rivendell Recycling Center opened, providing a centralized location for citizens to
drop off their recyclables. Use of the center has grown steadily since its opening.
• A resolution supporting Fort Collins’ becoming a “Hydrogen Ready City” was adopted.
June 2002
• The report “Evaluation of New Home Energy Efficiency” was released, providing an
assessment of Fort Collins 1996 Residential Energy Code.
• The Parks Division opened the first satellite maintenance operation at a rented facility
north of City Hall, allowing maintenance crews close proximity to the many maintenance
responsibilities in the Civic Center area of town.
September 2002
• A highly successful workshop on sustainable building design, “Building G.R.E.E.N.:
Gaining Resources to meet Environmental and Economic Needs”, was attended by over
175 architects, builders, engineers, and others.
2002
•
SmartTrips received the coveted Association for Commuter Transportation’s Creative
Excellence Award for the high school Drive Less Contest.
City of Fort Collins
iv
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
Future Actions
The Energy Management Team recommends implementation of the following actions between
2003 – 2005 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the City’s Local Action
Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (LAP) and with existing City policies and priorities.
Climate Protection Measures recommended for priority implementation in 2003-2005.
Measure Name
GENERAL
Sustainability
Management System
Climate Wise
Hydrogen Pilot
Future Action
Develop and Implement a Sustainability Management System for the City.
Seek more partners, grant funding; develop tiered participation levels.
Develop regional partnerships and promote pilot production of fueling
infrastructure and prototype fleet vehicles.
Evaluate the potential for a residential green building program following
completion of the 2003 city building code update.
Residential Green
Building Program
TRANSPORTATION
VMT Goal
Mason Street
Continue LUTRAQ programs; Fund and implement TDM programs.
Construct 3.5 mile bike/ped segment from Prospect to Fossil Creek.
CNG Fueling Station
Construct a compressed natural gas fueling station for City CNG vehicles.
ENERGY
Electric Energy
Supply Policy
Financing Options for
City Energy Efficiency
Develop and implement Demand Side Management and Renewable Energy
Strategic Plans.
Explore alternatives such as lease-purchase, performance contractor, etc. to
achieve increased energy efficiency in City facilities.
City Energy Manager
City Gov. Sustainable
Design and Operation
Residential Building
Code Update
Pedestrian Traffic
Signal Retrofit
New Home Task Force
ENERGY STAR®
WASTE
Expand Recycling
Drop-off Options
Recycling Regulations
Multifamily Recycling
Expand Organics
Recycling
City of Fort Collins
Investigate advantages of establishing a City Energy Manager position.
Implement the Sustainable Design Guidelines developed by Operation
Services. Adopt standards for sustainable construction and operation of all
City facilities.
Incorporate specific recommendations to improve new home energy
efficiency that resulted from the 2002 New Home Study into the 2003 update
of Fort Collins Residential Building Code.
Provide matching funding for PRPA "Kash for Kilowatts” program to retrofit
ped signals with LEDs.
Implement recommendations of Task Force.
Continue the City and Utilities coordination with ENERGY STAR®
initiatives.
Continue to work with the County to increase citizens recycling opportunities
at both County and City drop-off locations.
Require haulers to collect #7 paper mix; Fix loopholes in the Pay-As-You Throw ordinance.
Increase recycling opportunities for multifamily residences.
Evaluate feasibility of new local measures for composting. Explore
opportunities for pilot projects (biomass fueling for hydrogen generation,
incorporation of brewery sludge into compost) .
v
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
Data Collection
VEGETATION
Urban Forest
Cost:Benefit Analysis
Increase lifespan of
City-owned trees
PURCHASING
Promote
Environmentally
Preferable Products
Electronic Documents
Conduct waste diversion survey of businesses and residents; dumpster dive
to characterize municipal waste.
Complete study
Focus resources on the care and maintenance of existing City-owned trees.
Research and promote environmentally preferable products for City
purchasing.
Expand the number and types of documents that are archived electronically.
EDUCATION
Climate Change staffing
Climate Change
Education and
Outreach
Energy Training for
City Employees
Environmental
Business Outreach
City of Fort Collins
Obtain secure funding for climate education and technical assessment
staffing
Focus general outreach on energy efficient appliances
Conduct "Energy for Everyone" training for all City employees
Continue to deliver information about City environmental programs to new
and targeted businesses
vi
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
I.
Status of Climate Change Science……the need for climate
protection continues
May 2003
A study published in the journal "Science" reported that satellite measured temperatures in the
troposphere have risen since 1979, in contradiction to earlier findings that they had not. Critics
who denied the warming trend because of the discrepancy between the temperatures as measured
on earth and those measured from satellites had used the controversial satellite data. The study
concluded that the new data mean that humans are having a "pronounced influence" on earth's
climate.
March 2003
According to a new study reported in the journal “Nature”, greenhouse-gas increases may be
shifting wind and rainfall patterns in the Northern Hemisphere by changing the atmospheric
pressure. The research suggests that pressure changes have caused increased rainfall in the
Pacific Northwest and Britain, warmer winters in France and drier weather in Spain.
February 2003
Britain's climate is set to heat up faster than at any time in the past 10,000 years, thanks to record
global temperatures and increasing emissions of greenhouse gases. Global climate data analyzed
by the Hadley Center, a climate research center in Great Britain, shows it will become harder to
stabilize the levels of harmful carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, further increasing global
warming. The report found that that atmospheric concentration of many greenhouse gases
reached their highest levels ever in 2001 and that global temperatures continued to rise, with
2002, 2001, and 1998 being the hottest years on record.
January 2003
Hundreds of plant and animal species around the world are being impacted by the impacts of
global warming, although the most dramatic effects may not be felt for decades, according to
new research in the journal “Nature”. The research team predicts that a rapid temperature rise,
together with other environmental pressures, "could easily disrupt the connectedness among
species" and lead to numerous extinctions.
December 2002
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a United Nations agency, said 1998 remained
the hottest year on record, with 2002 surpassing 1999 as the next warmest. The 10 warmest years
had all occurred since 1987, nine since 1990. "Clearly for the past 25 or 26 years, the warming is
accelerating.... The rate of increase is unprecedented in the last 1,000 years," reported the
director of WMO's world climate program.
September 2002
Researchers report that black carbon soot from coal burning, diesel engines, open fires and other
sources is contributing to global warming and climate change in China and India. A study
appearing in “Science” magazine is based on computer modeling at the NASA Goddard Institute
for Space Studies. “If our interpretation is correct, then reducing the amount of black carbon or
soot may help diminish the intensity of floods in the south and droughts in the northern areas of
City of Fort Collins
1
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
China, in addition to having human health benefits,'' researchers said. Unlike carbon dioxide
emissions, which add to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere, soot emissions may
contribute to global warming and climate change by absorbing sunlight, heating the air and
making the atmosphere unstable. The study shows there are very strong reasons for China to take
action to reduce soot emissions from cook stoves and coal-burning furnaces.
February 2002
President Bush announced a new management structure to integrate and provide direction to the
US Global Change research Program (USGCRP) and the Climate Change Research Initiative
(CCRI), which had been announced in June 2001. The CCRI focuses primarily on areas of
significant remaining uncertainty and on enhancing the global climate observation system to
reduce those uncertainties. The CCRI also develops decision-support products for policymaking
and resource management. The Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) will provide direct
oversight and ensure that the USGCRP and CCRI coordinate their activities and accelerate
progress on substantial uncertainties regarding the Earth’s climate system.
May 2001
The pollen count across the Northeast and Upper Midwest USA was more than 2,000 grains per
cubic meter, more than ten times what doctors would normally consider high. The government
claimed that increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the air had made plants grow faster and
produce more pollen.
2001
2001 was a record year for natural disasters. Munich Re, the world's largest re-insurer,
announced that natural disasters in 2001 killed at least 25,000 people worldwide, more than
double the previous year. Storms and floods accounted for more than two thirds to the 700 major
disasters. Munich Re said, "Forest fires in Australia, floods in Brazil and in Turkey, snow chaos
in central and southern Europe and a typhoon in Singapore, which was meteorologically seen as
impossible, are all indications for a link between climate changes and a rise in weather
catastrophes".
City of Fort Collins
2
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
II. Fort Collins Greenhouse Gas Emissions for 2001 and 2002
Fort Collins Greenhouse Gas Emissions
2,500,000
2,051
2,000,000
Tons CO2e
In 2002, Fort Collins generated
approximately 2,182,000 tons of
carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e1).
By comparison, 1,366,000 tons of
CO2e were generated in 1990, the
baseline year against which Fort
Collins climate protection efforts
are measured.2 Data sources are
discussed in Appendix A.
2,108 2,207
1,862
1,366
1,500,000
1,623
Waste
Transport
Natural Gas
Electricity
1,000,000
500,000
0
1990 1995 1997 2000 2001 2002
Figure 1. Fort Collins GHG Emissions, 1990 - 2002
Table 1. Fort Collins GHG Emissions (Tons CO2e)
Electricity
Natural Gas
Transport
Waste
TOTAL
Population
Per Capita
1990
1995
1997
2000
2001
2002
565,690
344,267
423,277
32,391
1,365,625
87,758
15.56
692,623
374,859
530,287
24,800
1,622,569
99,726
16.27
768,889
403,110
667,082
22,500
1,861,581
106,223
17.53
882,196
431,454
711,971
25,697
2,051,318
118,652
17.29
919,073
452,144
714,090
23,414
2,108,721
122,377
17.23
950,992
481,900
749,463
25,139
2,207,494
126,848
17.40
Figures 2 and 3 on the next page compare 1990 and 2002 greenhouse gas emissions, by source.
The transportation sector shows a 3% increase in its emission share between 1990 and 2002 and
the electricity sector grew by 1%, while the natural gas share dropped by 3 % and the waste
sector dropped by 1 %.
1
CO2e = Carbon dioxide equivalent. Since methane is 21 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide,
the relative global warming potential of CO2 = 1 and of methane = 21. When methane and carbon dioxide emissions
are summed, they are referred to CO2e, indicating methane has been converted to CO2 equivalent.
2
In May 2003, the Fort Collins greenhouse gas (GHG) emission analyses for 1990, 1995, 1997, and 2000 were
updated to reflect new EPA emission factors for municipal solid waste (MSW) incorporated in the CCP software in
Fall 2002. Revised MSW emission factors reduce the MSW GHG emissions to practically zero because they took
account of carbon sequestered in landfills. See Appendix A for more detail.
City of Fort Collins
3
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
Fort Collins 2002 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
2.207 million tons CO2e
Fort Collins 1990 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
1.366 million tons CO2e
Waste
2%
Waste
1%
Transport
34%
Transport
31%
Electricity
43%
Electricity
42%
Natural Gas
22%
Natural Gas
25%
Figure 2. 1990 GHG Emissions
Figure 3. 2002 GHG Emissions
Figure 4 below illustrates that 2002 per capita emissions show an increase when compared to
1997 emissions, reversing the improvements in per capita emissions seen in 2000 and 2001.
Figure 5 shows a comparison of actual emissions in 2002 versus projected emissions estimated in
1998. Electricity and natural gas usage exceeded projections, while transportation did not grow
as rapidly as the worst-case 7% annual VMT growth rate used to forecast 2002 transportation
emissions. Emissions associated with MSW also did not grow at projected rates.
Fort Collins Per Capita Emissions
(Tons CO2e)
2002 Fort Collins Emissions
1000000
18.00
17.53
17.23
17.40
800000
Tons CO2e
17.50
900000
17.29
17.00
16.27
16.50
16.00
700000
600000
Forecast
Actual
500000
400000
300000
15.56
200000
15.50
100000
15.00
0
Electricity
14.50
1990
1995
1997
2000
2001
2002
Figure 4. Per Capita Emissions
City of Fort Collins
Natural
Gas
Transport
MSW
Figure 5. Actual vs. Estimated 2000 Emissions
4
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
III. City of Fort Collins Municipal Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The emissions inventory for the City of Fort Collins municipal activities includes buildings,
streetlights, water treatment processes, fleet fuel consumption, and waste generation.
Buildings
Information on natural gas and electricity consumption from major City buildings (representing
~ 75% of total electricity use by all City buildings) was provided by Utilities and Operations
Services.
Table 2. Building Energy Use
Year
1990
2002
Electricity (kWh)
7,396,196
11,988,603
Natural Gas (ccf)
541,920
626,658
Total Square Foot
510,592
744,144
MMBTU/Sq Ft
0.1577
0.1415
Tons CO2
8,806
12,691
Lighting (Streetlights and Traffic Signals)
Table 3. Lighting Energy Use (Data provided by Fort Collins Utility )
What
Streetlights
Streetlights
1990
1995
Year
kWh
5,920,661
6,598,489
Streetlights
1999
7,251,946
Streetlights
2001
7,634,000
Streetlights
2002
7,860,000
Traffic Signals
1990
1,577,714
Traffic Signals
1995
2,117,602
Traffic Signals
1999
2,406,112
Traffic Signals
2001
2,191,000
Traffic Signals
2002
206,000*
* Reflects benefit of conversion to LED traffic signals
Water and Wastewater Treatment
Table 4. Water and Wastewater Treatment Energy Use (Data from Fort Collins Utility)
What
Year
Electricity (kWh)
Natural Gas (ccf)
Water Treatment
1990
2,414,990
82,188
Water Treatment
1995
3,404,585
85,156
Water Treatment
1999
3,538,852
67,684
Water Treatment
2002
4,409,000
200,120
Wastewater
1990
9,523,280
105,067
Wastewater
1995*
13,604,848
54,752
Wastewater
1999
13,444,800
63,158
Wastewater
2002
14,366,000
64,070
* Wastewater plant #1 was down for 1995 due to construction; 1994 numbers were used.
City of Fort Collins
5
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
Fleets
Table 5. Fleets Energy Use (Data provided by Fleet Services)
Year
1990
1995
1999
2001
2002
Unleaded Gasoline (gal)
201,488
187,544
446,106
495,767
651,933
Diesel (gal)
97,181
80,115
419,834
458,778
564,589
Propane (GGE)
13,035
45,875
113,768
80,018
59,007
CNG (GGE)
1,192
1,235
1,446
Solid Waste
CO2e emissions from municipal waste were estimated with the new CACP software.
Table 6. Municipal Waste Estimates
1990
Waste removed (full) yd3
Waste removed (3/4 full) yd3
# City employees
Per capita yd3
Tons (If ¾ full) @ 300#/yd3
Tons CO2
12,950
1,003
12.9
1,943
232
1995
21,416
16,062
1,244
12.9
2,409
287
1999
24,540
18,405
1,308
18.8
2,761
329
2002
23,209
3,481
415
Figures 6 and 7 below show municipal GHG emissions in 1990 and 2002. Municipal GHG
emissions have increased 74 % over the past 12 years. In 1990, municipal GHG emissions
represented 2.03% of citywide emissions. By 2002, the municipal proportion rose slightly to
2.18%.
1990 Municipal Greenhouse Gas Emissions
27,729 tons CO2e
2002 Municipal Greenhouse Gas Emissions
48,225 tons CO2e
Fleets Waste
1%
12%
Waste
1%
Buildings
32%
Fleets
29%
Lighting
20%
Lighting
12%
Water
35%
Figure 6. 1990 Municipal GHG Emissions
Buildings
26%
Water
32%
Figure 7. 2002 Municipal GHG Emissions
Table 7. Municipal GHG Emission Comparisons (Tons CO2e)
Year
Buildings
1990
2002
City of Fort Collins
8,806
12,691
Water
9,894
15,369
Lighting
5,475
5,890
Fleets
3,323
13,860
6
Waste
232
415
TOTAL
27,730
48,225
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
IV. Status of Climate Protection Efforts
Tables 8, 9 and 10 summarize the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction benefit of all measures that
could be quantified for the years 2001 and 2002. In total, 237,000 tons of CO2e were reduced
during the year 2001. 3 Total 2001 emissions would have been 2.3 million tons instead of 2.1
million tons in the absence of actions to reduce emissions. Quantifiable climate protection
activities have reduced citywide emissions by 9% in the year 2001.
Table 8. GHG Reduction Summary
Citywide
Tons CO2 avoided in 2001
206,698
Tons CO2 avoided in 2002
191,307
Municipal
36,665
32,134
Total
236,854
221,430
Table 9. Citywide GHG Reduction Measures (June 2003)
Citywide Quantifiable Measures
Tons CO2
avoided in
2001
Tons CO2
avoided in
2002
TRANSPORTATION
TDM Programs, including VAN GO
1,387
1,369
Transportation Total
1,387
1,369
SOLID WASTE
Business Recycling
81,428
86,928
Residential Recycling
22,366
20,517
Larimer County Wood Waste Diversion
1,621
841
C&D Pilot - Phase II
127
0
Solid Waste Total
105,542
108,286
ENERGY
3
Climate Wise for businesses
50,882
29,464
1997 City Energy Code
12,357
13,317
Wind Power Program
10,407
12,510
CSU's Industrial Assessment Center
4,505
4,505
ZILCH ('90 - '00)
472
570
Cooling Rebate
0
195
Energy Total
78,623
60,561
VEGETATION
CO2 Sequestration by trees
21,071
21,071
Increase citywide tree planting
76
20
Vegetation Total
21,147
21,091
CITYWIDE TOTAL
206,698
191,307
3
Quantification of the Climate Wise business partner activities is not complete for 2002.
City of Fort Collins
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
Table 10. Municipal Government GHG Reduction Measures (June 2003)
Municipal Quantifiable Measures
TRANSPORTATION
City Employee Alt Modes
Alternative Fuels - City Fleet vehicles
Hybrid Vehicles - City Fleet vehicles
Parks Satellite Shop
Transportation Total
SOLID WASTE
Methane Flaring and Heat Recovery
City gov recycling
Solid Waste Total
ENERGY
FC Electricity Distribution
City Gov Wind Turbine
Replace Traffic Signals with LEDs
Design Assistance for 215/Harmony Lib
Lighting Upgrades – City Buildings: 9001
Converting to Variable Freq. Drives
(thru ’98)
Chillers
Energy Total
PURCHASING
Electronic Document Archive &
Distribution
Purchasing Total
MUNICIPAL TOTAL
Tons CO2
avoided in
2001
Tons CO2
avoided in
2002
236
2
0
238
197
174
3
2
376
4,725
553
5,278
7,673
602
8,274
27,542
1,898
1,087
262
313
18,839
2,241
1,551
383
313
45
45
31,147
109
23,480
1
3
1
3
36,665
32,134
These measures are described in varying levels of detail in the rest of this report. There are
numerous other municipal and private activities and programs that have not been quantified that
also contribute to reducing the citywide carbon dioxide emissions. Some of these non-quantified
measures are also mentioned in subsequent sections of the report.
City of Fort Collins
8
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
TRANSPORTATION
♦ VMT Goal: not to exceed population growth rates
Status
The City Plan Monitoring Project: 2001 Indicators Report found that between 1995 and 2000,
vehicle mile traveled (VMT) growth rates (4.9%/year) did exceed population growth rates
(3.4%/year). Exceedance of this trigger initiated a review process, which is currently being
undertaken a part of the full City Plan update.
The City’s LUTRAQ (Land Use, Transportation, and Air Quality) Team was formed in 2000
with the mission to develop a comprehensive program to reduce the growth of VMT. LUTRAQ
is comprised of members from eight City departments in two service areas. In 2001 and 2002,
the Team continued work on several of the projects listed below.
Table 11. LUTRAQ Summary
PROJECT
Transportation
Funding
OBJECTIVE
Secure the needed long-term funding for all travel modes,
especially transit, cycling, and walking, which are farther
behind than streets.
Staff Awareness
Conduct an information campaign to re-ground City staff
and Board & Commission members on City Plan and
Transportation Plan philosophy, and how the plans are
supposed to work, etc.
Pilot test CSU’s "community readiness" model, in an
information and marketing campaign to increase awareness,
understanding, and support for VMT-reduction programs.
Identify policy conflicts that interfere with VMT reduction
efforts and bring them forward for resolution by the
appropriate authorities.
Provide for good, consistent data and forecasts of both
population and VMT, on a regular basis, to assist in land use
and transportation policy, plans and programs.
Community
Readiness
Internal Policy
Conflicts
Monitoring and
Forecasting
Regional VMTreduction Strategy
Jobs/Housing
Balance
Travel Pricing
STATUS
Capital projects list has
been prioritized from a
VMT-reduction
perspective.
Outreach materials are
were developed and
numerous City departments
have received the training.
Not implemented.
In June 2001, LUTRAQ
prepared a report
“Estimation of VMT and
VMT Growth Rate”,
establishing a methodology
for projecting VMT growth
through 2005 at 4.9%
compounded annually.
Work with other communities to place the City’s VMT
reduction efforts in a regional context.
Implement the City Plan policy that calls for development of
objectives and programs for a jobs-housing balance.
Study and develop travel-pricing measures (such as
eliminating free parking) that could be used in the 2010 –
2015 timeframe in order to meet the TDM goal of 10%
reduction in drive-alone trips.
Future: The LUTRAQ has reformed to become an integral part of the City’s Growth
Management Lead Team. One staff liaison has been assigned from each program area
City of Fort Collins
9
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
(transportation, land use, and air quality) to bring forward agenda items for the full Team to
consider.
♦ Mason Street Project
Status In October 2000, the Fort Collins City Council approved the overall Master Plan for the
Mason Street Transportation Corridor (MSTC). The MSTC was envisioned as a five mile, N-S
multi-modal corridor that would provide Bus Rapid Transit service and bike and pedestrian
facilities, enhance citizen mobility, and implement a critical component of the City’s Structure
and Transportation plans. During 2001, the City submitted the initial application for Federal
Transit Administration (FTA) “New Starts Program” to fund the costs associated with the Bus
Rapid Transit component of the project. In 2002, work began on the Preliminary Engineering
and Environmental Assessment Phases of the FTA New Starts application process. However, a
citizen tax to secure matching funding for this project was defeated at the ballot in November
2002 and again in April 2003. Consequently, the Bus Rapid Transit component and MSTC
improvements north of Horsetooth Road will not be constructed in the near future.
Future The City plans to move ahead with the construction of the bike and pedestrian trail
portion along a 3.5 mile segment between Prospect Road and Fossil Creek Trail, south of
Harmony. This segment of the corridor is funded through the Colorado Department of
Transportation and the 1997 “Building Community Choices” tax initiative. It is anticipated that
construction of this segment will be completed in 2004/2005, offering a convenient N-S route for
cyclists and pedestrians.
♦ Transportation Demand Management Program
Status Both 2001 and 2002 proved to be successful, award-winning years for the City of Fort
Collins Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program. TDM’s SmartTrips program
assists employees, students, and citizens in finding and using alternative forms of transportation
such as bicycling, bus riding, walking, teleworking, carpooling, and vanpooling. Participation in
SmartTrips has been growing steadily. The SmartTrips program saw a 22% increase in
miles traveled by alternative mode in 2001. In 2002, this number jumped to 30%, with a total of
2 million miles of travel reduced in 2002 through these programs.
2001 saw a strong focus on connecting with businesses and providing commuter programs such
as the DriveLess Challenge, PassFort, and the Freewheels bike loan program to their employees.
Materials touting the benefits of using alternative modes during the working day - whether
commuting to and from work, going to meetings or to lunch – were used to reach this market.
These outreach efforts have been successful as the number of participating local businesses grew
from 50 in 2001 to 329 in 2002, reducing over 928,000 miles in 2002. Smart Trips Youth
programs such as SchoolPool, the Youth Drive Less Contest, Walk a Child to School Day, and
the Library Clean Air Campaign have been successful, as well.
In 2001, TransFort received the Colorado Department of Transportation’s “Best of Category”
award in Urban Transit Systems. SmartTrips won three awards in 2002. First, the 3CMA
(City/County Communications and Marketing Association) SAVVY Award of Excellence was
City of Fort Collins
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
received for the Best Marketing Plans/Campaigns for “I ride, therefore……” Transit Campaign.
SmartTrips also received the coveted Association for Commuter Transportation’s Creative
Excellence Award for the high school Drive Less Contest. Finally, SmartTrips received a
certificate of recognition from U.S. EPA’s Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative for the
promotion of alternative modes to City of Fort Collins employees. Collectively, TDM programs
resulted in reduced CO2e emission of over 1,300 tons in 2001 and in 2002.
Future Actions The City of Fort Collins TDM program has several areas identified for new
program introduction and/or expansion in 2003. Transfort is introducing new electronic fare
boxes and bus passes, making bus use more convenient and easy. PassFort users will be able to
“swipe” their card and usage will tracked electronically. In addition, the Colorado State
University (CSU) Transit Center will be expanding with more user amenities and the City will
also be working with CSU Parking Services on a variety of projects to increase use of alternative
modes by faculty and staff. The youth programs will be promoting the Cars, Cultures and Cures
curriculum for junior high school students, as well as the Clean Air Trunks which will be
circulated to the elementary schools. Bike to Work Day will be expanding to Bike To Work
Week, allowing more people to participate and track their bicycling miles, and a new on-line
registration option will be tested. The Drive Less Challenge will also expand by adding several
new businesses, including 5,000 employees at CSU, and new requirements will be added for
those joining in the future, in order to show a stronger organizational commitment to TDM.
♦ Alternative Fueled City Fleet Vehicles
Status In 2002, the City’s alternative fueled vehicles used 59,000 gallons of gas equivalent
(GGE) of propane and 1,446 GGE of compressed natural gas (CNG). This emitted 174 fewer
tons of CO2 than if the same number of gallons of gasoline were used.
Future Actions The City Fleets Department was awarded Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
funding in 2001 to construct a CNG fueling station with 2 time-fill CNG fuel makers. Plans are
underway to add fueling capacity for ethanol as well.
♦ ULEV/ZEV Vehicles for City Fleet
Status The City has adopted a goal that by 2008, 75% of all City light-duty vehicles will meet
1998 Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards. By 2002, the City had 13 ULEV vehicles,
up from 2 in 1999, and 20 LEV vehicles. These included four hybrid/electric Toyota Prius. Two
tons of CO2e were avoided in 2001, based on the increased fuel efficiency of the Prius when
compared to a comparable non-hybrid fleet vehicle.
♦ Clean Cities Program
Status In May 1996 Weld and Larimer counties and Rocky Mountain National Park
(W/L/RMNP) received the nation's 47th Clean Cities designation. Rocky Mountain National
Park is the first designated national park. W/L/RMNP is part of one of the nations longest cleanfuels corridors and extends from Colorado Springs to the Wyoming border. Colorado Springs
and Denver/Boulder are also members of the Clean Cities program.
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11
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
The W/L/RMNP Clean Cities coalition has 33 members, or "stakeholders" who represent a
variety of interests that include national and local companies, government, and community
groups.
In the past, two fleet manager breakfasts were held and one corridor workshop, with a total
attendance of 110 people. In addition, a $50,000 grant was received from DOE. The money
was shared by the corridor to do six projects: a corridor newsletter, a fleet manager survey, AFV
signage on I-25 and I-70, a map of AFV fueling stations in Colorado, a recruitment package, and
several fleet manager breakfasts. We have also worked with the corridor to promote two pieces
of AFV legislation: (1) an AFV incentives bill, and (2) an AFV tracking bill to track numbers of
AFVs in Colorado.
♦ Fort Collins-Denver Commuter Rail
The North Front Range Transportation Alternatives Feasibility Study was a Major Investment
Study sponsored by four public agencies. In April 2000, a Vision Plan was released, identifying
a strong need for transportation improvements. By 2020, area population is predicted to increase
43% and employment by 36%. Violations of federal carbon monoxide and PM10 standards are
predicted to occur in several communities. One of the five key recommendations of the vision
plan is a rail alignment focused in the I-25 right-of-way. This is envisioned as a single-track
alignment with passing tracks where needed, using self-propelled Diesel Multiple Unit “regional
rail” commuter rail technology, having branches to Greeley and Fort Collins. Total cost is
estimated at $652 million. The passenger rail alignment and potential station stops have been
incorporated in several regional planning efforts that are currently underway in the north front
range.
♦ Parks Satellite Shops
Status: The City Parks Division has developed a long-range plan. One segment addresses
satellite maintenance shops which have the potential to substantially reduce both personnel hours
and vehicle miles in driving to work sites. In 2002, the Division opened the first satellite
maintenance operation at a rented facility north of City Hall. This site allows maintenance crews
close proximity to the many maintenance responsibilities in the Civic Center area of town. The
second location will be a larger shop and storage area in Fossil Creek Park, due to open in
August 2003. A third shop will be located at Southwest Park, to be developed about 2006.
Further projections include a community park development in the northern part of the city
somewhere around 2012. About three years ago, City Council approved an increase in the
parkland fee, a portion of which will go toward funding these future maintenance buildings.
♦ Hydrogen Task Force
Status In early 2001, the City Manager convened a Hydrogen Task Force with representatives
from relevant City advisory boards and staff departments to evaluate the City's potential role in
promoting the use of hydrogen energy. The Task Force submitted a report with
recommendations in August 2001. As a result of recommendations, City Council passed a
resolution in March 2002 establishing a policy to implement hydrogen-related projects within the
City of Fort Collins
12
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
city. Since that time, staff has been working at establishing partnerships and has been
researching grant opportunities for the purpose of implementing projects.
ENERGY
♦ Fort Collins Electricity Distribution System Improvements
Status: Fort Collins has made substantial investments to keep its distribution losses low, even as
population growth necessitates system expansion. Fort Collins' entire system uses oversized
conductors to reduce normal operating losses and to provide enough system capacity to allow
backfeeds in the event of system failures. The methodology used here compares Fort Collins'
distribution system losses against a national average of 5.0%, taking credit for "reductions" when
losses are lower than the national average. The cumulative effects of these improvements since
1990 accounted for savings of 24,992 MWh in 2001 and 35,925 MWh in 2002. The
corresponding CO2 reduction was 26,231 tons and 187,942 tons respectively. Since 1990, these
activities have saved over 184,000 tons of CO2.
♦ 1996 City Energy Code
Status. A comprehensive study was conducted by the City to evaluate the City’s 1996 residential
energy code (implementation experience, compliance rates and energy-saving results), provide
benchmark data about new home design, construction and performance, and to learn more about
residential air conditioning practices and impacts. Results were published in 2002. The study
yielded a wealth of information about both problems and opportunities in new housing. City staff
has presented study findings to many audiences and, in conjunction with other organizations, is
developing consumer information materials about new home choices.
GHG benefit from the City energy code is based on study results indicating that homes built
under the code realize a 16% reduction in natural gas consumption, on average, when compared
with homes built prior to the code change.
Future: Fort Collins is in many ways poised in the limelight statewide and perhaps nationally,
with respect to aggressive code development to create new homes that are healthier, more
efficient, more comfortable, higher performing and provide greater long-term ownership value.
The core of the approach largely comes from the now-nationally recognized New Home Energy
Efficiency Study by Fort Collins Utilities. One of the fundamental lessons learned is that most
homes have been and are being built in separate construction stages based on individual trade
schedules. The new building code revisions are aimed at changing that concept to building
homes more like a single complex system of many highly interrelated components.
♦ Climate Wise for Businesses
Status In 2000, the City of Fort Collins initiated a voluntary greenhouse gas reduction program
targeting businesses in the industrial and commercial sectors. The program is a local adaptation
of the former federal Climate Wise program and works directly with the Fort Collins business
community to achieve a number of important environmental quality goals: air and water
City of Fort Collins
13
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
pollution prevention, solid waste reduction, energy conservation, and travel demand reduction.
Supported by grant funding from the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives,
and the Colorado Pollution Prevention Advisory Board, the Climate Wise program now includes
21 local business partners.
The basic goals of the Climate Wise program for the City are:
• Encourage local business to reduce their GHG emissions and their impact on the
environment.
• Create a strong (friendly) relationship between local business community and the City.
• Assist in the implementation of a variety of City environmental programs for local
businesses.
• Educate partners’ employees about climate change.
• Encourage community responsibility.
• Help achieve the GHG reduction goal in in Fort Collins’ Local Action Plan.
During 2001 and 2002, the Climate Wise project team conducted assessments at five new partner
facilities: Poudre Valley Hospital, Advanced Energy, the Fort Collins Club, the RETEC Group
and Dakocytomation. The team continued to work with existing partners to quantify GHG
reduction projects and fine-tune partners’ action plans. An energy training course, “Energy for
Everyone”, was developed, and train-the-trainer sessions were held for partners.
The Climate Wise program continues to surpass expectations, both in the number of businesses
participating and the amount of greenhouse gas emission reductions. In addition the City has
provided recognition, partner networking meetings, partner trainings, and educational materials.
The following is a list of the 21 Fort Collins Climate Wise partners:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Austin’s and Moot House Restaurants
Advanced Energy
Agilent Technologies
Anheuser Busch
Ben and Jerry’s
Celestica Colorado
Colorado State University
Coloradoan Newspaper
Dakocytomation
Foothills Fashion Mall
Fort Collins Health Club
Hewlett Packard
Lafarge Corporation
New Belgium Brewing Inc.
Odell Brewing Company
Platte River Power Authority
Poudre School District R-1
Poudre Valley Hospital
RETEC Group
US Post Office
Xcel Energy
City of Fort Collins
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
2001 actions have been quantified for 10 of the original partners, resulting in avoidance of over
50,000 tons of CO2e. Quantification of 2002 partner actions is not yet complete.
Future Actions In 2003, the program goal is to recruit five additional businesses. Several
companies have already expressed interest, including Value Plastics and Teledyne Water Pik.
In addition the Climate Wise team is planning to lead the Climate Wise program in a new
direction by establishing various levels of participation for participating businesses. Establishing
the different participation levels will allow the Climate Wise program to recognize the business
partners that are doing the most to reduce Fort Collins’ GHG emissions as well as give the
businesses goals to achieve. The annual recognition event will be used as the forum to highlight
business progress and present the new “star” achieved throughout the year.
Natural Resources Department recently applied for and received a $22,000 grant from the Air
Pollution Control Division to help fund a half-time environmental planner to continue the
technical aspects of the Climate Wise Program. Permanent funding for the Climate Wise
program is being sought.
♦ CSU’s Industrial Assessment Center (IAC)
Status Since inception, the IAC has performed assessments at 25 Fort Collins businesses. It is
estimated that approximately 145 energy efficiency projects have been implemented in Fort
Collins between 1990 and 2000. These projects have resulted in the avoidance of 4,505 tons of
CO2/year in 2001 and 2002. No new assessments were conducted at local businesses in 2001 or
2002.
♦ Fort Collins Utilities Wind Power Program
Status: In May 1998, Fort Collins Utilities was the first utility in Colorado and among the first in
the nation to deliver clean, renewable wind energy for residents and businesses. In 2002, Fort
Collins Utilities expanded the award-winning program and collaborated with the local Sierra
Club to recruit wind subscribers. The Sierra Club presented a plaque to the City listing the
commercial wind subscribers.
As of December 31, 2002, there were 862 residential and 54 commercial wind power
subscribers, and more than 36 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity has been produced
since the program’s inception. The wind turbines dedicated to Fort Collins generated a total of
11,903,761 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2002, which is equivalent to the annual electricity use of
1,400 Fort Collins homes. The turbines also prevented 7,439 tons of coal from being burned and
reduced emissions of carbon dioxide by more than 12,500 tons. Besides carbon dioxide, every
kWh of wind energy offsets emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, particulates, air toxics,
and other pollutants associated with coal burning.
Future: The future of the Wind Power Program will be addressed as the City develops
implementation plans for the newly adopted Electric Energy Supply Policy.
City of Fort Collins
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
♦ Wind Power for City Facilities
Status: Since July 2000, the City of Fort Collins has purchased wind energy from one 660 kW
turbine to cover a portion of its own municipal electricity needs. The energy costs are prorated
among the City’s electric accounts based on energy usage.
♦ Zero Interest Loans for Conservation Help (ZILCH)
Status In 2001, twenty residential energy efficiency projects were completed using Utilities’
ZILCH loans, and in 2002, eight more homes made efficiency improvements under the loan
program. This brings the total annual CO2 reductions resulting from ZILCH projects to 570 tons
CO2 in 2002.
♦ Replace Incandescent Traffic Signals with LEDs
Status Retrofitting traffic signals to light-emitting diodes (LEDs) was rated as the City’s highest
priority greenhouse gas reduction measure, receiving the # 1 rating from both the Staff Technical
Team and the Citizen Advisory Committee who developed the City’s Local Action Plan (LAP).
The major retrofit effort occurred in 2001, when 160 intersections were retrofitted, except for
Yellows and the Walk and Don’t Walk signals. In 2002, Traffic Operations took the initiative to
meter the savings at each intersection. By early 2003, the LED retrofit project reduced traffic
signal electricity consumption by nearly 1.5 million kWh/year, resulting in 1,551 tons CO2e not
released into the air each year.
Future Actions The City hopes to receive incentive funding from Platte River Power Authority
to complete the retrofit of Walk and Don’t Walk pedestrian signals. In addition, all new
intersections installed will use LEDs, including the yellow lights.
♦ Lighting Upgrades in City Buildings (’93 – ’01)
Status Twenty-three lighting retrofit projects were implemented between 1993 and 1998 at a
number of City buildings. In March 2001, induction lighting was installed in the City parking
garage at Mountain Avenue and Remington Street. In addition to using lower wattage induction
lighting, placement of the light was optimized, the interior of the garage was painted white, and
daylighting controls were installed. These efforts increased the light levels by a factor of 3 to 5
while keeping energy use the same and improving visibility. By 2002, total annual savings for
all lighting projects 313 tons of CO2e. Many more lighting upgrades have been implemented
since 1990, such as replacement of EXIT signs with LEDs in buildings, but the installations have
not been documented well enough to calculate CO2 benefits.
♦ City Government Converting to Variable Frequency Drives (‘90 – ’98)
Status The City recognizes the benefit of replacing variable frequency drives with more energy
efficient models once they burn out. Since 1990, variable frequency drives have been upgraded
at Police Services, the public library, and at Mulberry Pool, for a total annual energy savings of
42,526 kWh and an annual avoidance of 45 tons of CO2e.
City of Fort Collins
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
♦ City Government Chillers
Status Two new chillers were installed in City buildings; one at the main library and one at City
Hall. The new City Hall chiller uses over 100,000 kWh/yr less energy than the old one, resulting
in reduction of over 109 tons CO2e. The library chiller is more energy efficiency, but these
savings are offset by the addition of heating elements on the chiller.
♦ Energy Efficiency in the Commercial Sector
Utilities Design Assistance
Fort Collins Utilities has assisted several clients who want to construct buildings that are better
places for people to work and visit, while costing much less to operate and maintain, and that
have reduced environmental impact.
Through the Design Assistance program, Utilities helps to fund incremental increases in design
costs related to energy analysis, daylighting, and commissioning. Completed projects include
Value Plastics, Harmony Library, the new city office building at 215 N. Mason, and two new
elementary schools for Poudre School District (PSD). Recent projects include the Community
Horticultural Center (to be completed in 2004), the new 2004 PSD high school, and Pioneer
School -- a new charter school. In the future, at least one more elementary school will be built
using the same energy efficient design and construction. In addition to funding assistance for
these projects, Energy Services staff typically play advocacy and education roles, provide
technical support, and review plans at several stages.
Electric Load Profiles for Large Commercial and Industrial Customers
Hourly electric demand profiles are provided upon request to customers in the GS-50 and GS750 rate classes. The Utilities' goals for these key accounts are to provide customer service,
customer education, identification of costly energy use patterns and control problems, and
identification of energy-saving and peak-demand-limiting opportunities. Data are collected from
the meters on a nightly basis, providing updated energy use information the next day.
Non-residential Building Energy Assessments
Utilities staff periodically conduct building assessments to identify energy problems and
opportunities. Some assessments are performed in conjunction with other programs; others are
related to customer requests. This assessment activity varies widely from year to year.
Customer-driven audits over the past couple of years include local churches, restaurants,
apartment buildings and offices.
♦ Cooling Rebate Program
Status Platte River Power Authority introduced the Cooling Rebate program in 2002 to reduce
the growth of summer peak energy demand. The Cooling Rebate Pilot Program rewards
customers who upgrade to high efficiency central air conditioners and heat pumps. Residential
air conditioners and heat pumps with a 12 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating or
higher receive $200 and those with a 13 SEER rating or higher receive $250. Commercial
City of Fort Collins
17
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
customers receive a rebate of $90 per ton of cooling capacity for air conditioner and heat pumps
exceeding minimum efficiency levels. In Fort Collins, 582 air conditioning units were installed
with an average SEER of 12.22 and an average capacity of 3.00 tons. This resulted in the
reduction of 160,164 kWh, and 195 tons of CO2e avoided in 2002.
Future Platte River Power Authority intends to offer this rebate program at least in 2003, and
perhaps beyond.
♦
Reduce City Building Energy Use 15% per Sq. ft. below 1990 levels
Status The City has made significant progress toward meeting its goal to reduce City building
energy consumption by 15% per square foot, below 1990 levels. In 2002, City building energy
consumption per square foot was 10% lower than 1990 consumption levels. This analysis
considers only the major City buildings (representing approximately 75% of all electricity use),
and it considers both electricity and natural gas consumption. It does not consider water
treatment or waste water treatment facilities. This improvement is probably due to the combined
benefit of constructing new buildings with a focus on energy conservation, as well as the ongoing energy efficiency upgrades implemented by Operations Services.
Table 12. Comparison of City Building Energy Use, per Square Foot.
Year
1990
2002
MMBTU
80,512
105,326
Square Footage
MMBTU/Sq Foot
510,592
744,144
0.1577
0.1415
Percent
Improvement
Na
10.27 %
Several actions were identified in the City’s Local Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas
Emissions (LAP) that will continue to help achieve this goal. Status of these actions is discussed
below.
Create a focal point for municipal energy management by hiring an Energy Manger or creating
an interdepartmental Energy Management Team.
The Energy Management Team has continued to meet approximately quarterly since its
inception in 2000. Deliverables include the first climate protection status report in April 2001
and the City’s Municipal Climate Protection Plan in June 2001. The Team has provided a useful
forum for networking and discussing issues such as purchasing, municipal fuel consumption, and
municipal green building.
Conduct energy audits of City government buildings
In 2001, ReBuild Colorado, a program of the Governor’s Office of Energy Management and
Conservation, completed a Pre-Feasibility Study on Energy Savings and Performance Contacting
for the City. This report identified a total of 17 projects at six City facilities. The estimated total
cost for the projects was $380,000, with an average payback of five years, and an estimated
emissions reduction of 1,100 tons of CO2/year.
City of Fort Collins
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
Ensure that City buildings constructed by Facility Services use the City’s Green Building
Criteria
The Facilities Division of Operations Services has made significant progress in preparing and
using “Sustainable Design Guidelines” based closely on LEED criteria. These design guidelines
are being used to develop RFPs for several new City buildings including Operations Services’
Maintenance and Vehicle Wash Facility, and the upcoming Azatlan Center, among others. The
goal has been established for every new City Building to be able to attain LEED Silver
certification.
Consider joining ENERGY STAR Buildings
The City’s Operations Services is currently not planning to join the Energy Star Buildings
program.
Fund new position for an HVAC Control Technician
Facility Services created a new staff position, HVAC Control Technician, which was filled in
July 2000.
Future Actions
The City will make efforts to implement the sustainable design guidelines developed by
Operations Services for construction and renovation of City facilities. The guidelines call for all
new City facilities to achieve a silver level rating from the Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines. The City will explore alternatives such as leasepurchase, performance contractor, etc. to achieve increased energy efficiency in City facilities.
The City will also explore the advantages of establishing a City Energy Manager position for all
municipal facilities.
♦ Energy Efficiency and Power Shaving at the Wastewater Treatment Plant
Status: The Wastewater Treatment Plant requires that high efficiency motors and pumps be
installed whenever a pump or motor is added or replaced. Variable frequency drives are required
on every motor 5 HP or above in size, which also saves energy. These purchasing requirements
have been in place since the late 1980’s.
The Wastewater Treatment plant has also been “power-shaving” for the several years. Operators
track the coincident peak demand on PRPA’s website and manually shut down high-energy
equipment when peaks are predicted to occur. This reduces total electric demand during the
most critical periods, and also saves the plant thousands of dollars each month in demand
charges. In 2003, a system is being installed to automatically shut off equipment (by computer)
during predicted peak periods.
♦ Energy Efficiency at the Water Treatment Facility
Status: A Water Treatment Facility Electrical Master Plan was recently completed. Elements
include audits of electrical facilities, investigation and development of lighting and possible
energy management systems for the facility, investigation and development of possible load
management systems, and evaluation of redundant transformers.
City of Fort Collins
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
Energy efficiency improvements included:
•
•
•
Replacement of all across the line starters for large motors with variable frequency drive
motors, resulting in lower current demand.
Installation of motion detectors on facility lighting in many places throughout the plant.
Installation of 277 volt lighting controlled by computer aided lighting panels for the new
Treatment Trains T5 and T6.
♦ Residential Green Building Program
Status: In March, 2001, the City Council approved an update to the City's Air Quality Action
Plan that adds an action to "Explore adoption of a Green Building Program during the regular
review of the Municipal Building Code." Preliminary work was done to evaluate green building
program models used in other communities to determine which hold the most promise for Fort
Collins. However, the 2003 update to the residential energy code will not consider a broad
residential green building program. Instead, it will focus on developing and codifying specific
changes in the energy code needed to address issues revealed in the New Home Study.
♦ Increase Energy Efficiency Training for Builders
Status: In addition to completing an energy code assessment report, the Building and Zoning
Department hired an additional building inspector in 2000, allowing for an increased focus on
energy code compliance inspections and training. Staff held numerous job site training for
builders and insulation companies to educate them about energy code installation standards. A
new plans review position was also added in2002.
Future Actions: The Building and Zoning Department will continue to enhance energy code
compliance by implementing greater energy-efficient construction measures as part of the of the
new residential building code adoption targeted for late 2003. Although City funding has been
eliminated to bring in a building science technology consultant to conduct technical training,
other opportunities for builder training still exist. These include in-house training by City staff,
outside training sources such as E-Star of Colorado, as well as builder-paid training workshops
offered by the City. These trainings will be coordinated with the implementation of the new
code.
♦ Lobby for Mandatory Renewable Energy in Utility Deregulation
Status In June 2001, the City submitted comments to DOE on their Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy programs. The City urged DOE to retain the REPI (Renewable Energy
Production Incentive) credits, to continue funding that supports the Industrial Assessment
Centers , and to increase funding levels for renewable energy programs in general. Since
deregulation is not imminent in Colorado, no efforts were undertaken by the City to promote
mandatory renewables at the state level.
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
SOLID WASTE
♦ 50% Waste Reduction Goal
Status In November, 1999 the City Council adopted a policy for diverting solid waste from
landfill disposal with a goal of 35% by the year 2004, and 50% by the year 2010.
Community-wide surveys of recycling in Fort Collins were conducted for the years 1998 and
2000. Results indicate that the community’s waste stream was diverted from landfill disposal
through conventional recycling, composting, and other waste reduction activities at a rate of
24.6% and 22.3% in those two years. The data do not include asphalt and cement recycling, a
large amount of which occurs in Fort Collins (over 100,000 tons in 2002).
A variety of special collection activities were held by the City to promote recycling and waste
diversion. The annual leaf collection program and Christmas tree recycling continued to be
popular. In 2001, the City sponsored its first computer round up for obsolete electronic
equipment, and 50,000 pounds of e-waste were collected. A second event in 2002 resulted in
100,000 pounds of electronics being collected, to be sent to federal prison facilities, through a
contractor called Unicorps, for recycling.
Future Actions In 2003, the City plans to conduct another telephone survey to estimate the
amount of waste diversion that was accomplished in 2002 through the efforts of residents and
industries in Fort Collins.
Several new recycling initiatives were budgeted by the City Council in 2002, which will be
implemented in 2003-04. They include a project to increase recycling opportunities to the multifamily residents of Fort Collins, an audit of the City’s pay-as-you-throw ordinance to close
loopholes, and analysis of ways to enhance local composting.
♦ Business Recycling
Status GHG reductions from recycling activities carried out by independent businesses is
estimated at nearly 87,000 tons of CO2e for the year 2002.
Future Actions Another detailed evaluation of business recycling quantities will be conducted in
2003 for the year 2002.
o Residential Recycling
Status In 2002, Fort Collins’ residential curbside recycling system collected 7,677 tons of
materials to be recycled, including more than 4,360 tons of newspaper according to information
reported to the City by trash haulers as a condition of their Fort Collins business license. In
addition, citizens participated in the City’s leaf drop off, Christmas tree round up, and computer
recycling events. Collectively, citizens’ recycling activities equate to 20,517 tons CO2e reduced
in the year 2002.
City of Fort Collins
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
•
Rivendell - Second Centralized Recycling Drop-off Site
Status In March, 2002, the City opened a new, expanded recycling drop-off facility for use by
residents. The location, on the grounds of a the private Rivendell school, has proved to be
convenient and as more and more people learn about it, the volumes have grown. Fort Collins
now collects between 100 and 120 tons per month of material for recycling.
Future Actions The City will continue to operate the Rivendell facility, collecting “#7” paper
mix (which combines magazines, office paper, newspaper, and other grades), cardboard and
paperboard, and commingled bottles and cans. Additional commodities may be considered for
collection and recycling in the future, based on citizens’ demands.
♦ Methane Flaring and Heat Recovery at the Wastewater Treatment Plant
Status: The City's main wastewater treatment plant currently uses a significant amount of the
methane(CH4) produced from wastewater treatment processes to power boilers located at the
facility. The boilers are used to keep the digesters at the proper temperature and to heat more
than 20 buildings on the wastewater treatment site. Unused gas is flared off, emitting carbon
dioxide but eliminating potent methane emissions. In 2001, a fourth anaerobic digester was
built at the Drake Water Reclamation facility and a third boiler was added to the system. The
total system now includes four digesters with gas storage lids and three boilers. Total gas
production has not increased, but methane consumption has dropped, due to the higher efficiency
of the new boiler. This process of using the heat energy generated by methane combustion for
power generation and flaring off the remaining gas is estimated to avoid nearly 10,000 tons of
CO2e/year in 2002.
♦ Larimer County Wood Waste Diversion
Status In 2000, Larimer County implemented a pilot Wood Waste Diversion Project to explore
the feasibility of collecting of wood for possible fuel at the nearby cement plant. During this
project, the County segregated wood waste loads brought to the landfill. Sources included wood
from forest thinning, downed branches from the urban forest caused by early season snowstorms,
and some construction and demolition debris. Even though it was determined that wood would
not be burned as fuel at the cement plant, the County continued this program in 2001 and 2002.
In 2002, 992,700 pounds of wood waste were segregated from the landfill, ground up, and
recycled. This avoided an estimated 840 tons of CO2e emissions from the landfill in 2002.
♦ Construction Debris Recycling Pilot Project
Status Phase II of the construction debris recycling pilot was implemented in 2001. The City
solicited participation from local construction companies, and provided them with a subsidy for
all clean and segregated loads of construction wood debris. A total of 500 cubic yards (150,000
pounds) of wood was diverted from landfill disposal during the pilot project, translating into 127
tons of CO2e emissions avoided in 2001.
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
♦ Landfill Gas to Energy
Status Emissions from the Larimer County landfill are not expected to exceed the EPA’s
threshold level of 50 MG (megagrams) of non-methane organic compounds (NMOC) until 2006.
When that occurs, a gas collection system will have to be installed. As phases of the landfill fill
and close between now and then, the County will install some of the collection infrastructure. In
the early summer of 2003, some horizontal gas collection piping will be installed in the Phase 3
area, and the first two or three vertical gas wells will be installed later in 2003.
♦ Municipal Recycling Program
Status: The City has operated a successful internal recycling program since the early 1980’s.
Employees are encouraged to recycle catalogues, magazines, blueprints, phone books, junk mail,
office paper, cardboard, and aluminum, steel, glass, and plastic containers. Each employee is
responsible for depositing recycled material into special collection containers centrally located in
each building. The City contracts with a private vendor for recycling collection pick-up. Each
department or building is charged a monthly fee based on the frequency of pick-up service. Table
13 shows recent greenhouse gas benefits from the internal City recycling program.
Table 13. Internal City Recycling Program
1998
Tons Recycled Materials
70
Tons CO2 reduced
342
1999
75
366
2000
90
433
2001
115
553
2002
210
602
VEGETATION
♦ Increase Tree Planting Citywide
Status
Tree Plantings In 2001, the City planted 757 trees on City property. In 2002, the number of
new trees planted dropped to about 200, in response to the extreme drought. It is estimated that
there are ten times more trees planted citywide than are planted by the City government in Fort
Collins. Therefore, in 2002, it is estimated that 2000 trees were planted citywide, and 20 tons of
CO2e were sequestered as a result.
Research In 2002, the City of Fort Collins joined in partnership with the Colorado State Forest
Service, the USDA Forest Service, and the Colorado Tree Coalition to undertake two projects
investigating urban forest benefits. The first study, “Community Carbon Credits” intends to
determine the viability of including community trees in established carbon trading markets (i.e.
is a community forest a cost-effective method for sequestering and storing carbon, and is it a
practical investment?). So far, results suggest that “it depends”!
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
The second project is to complete a comprehensive cost:benefit analysis of Fort Collins’
municipal trees. Some of the benefits to be quantified are air pollution uptake, carbon
sequestration and storage, and avoided CO2 emissions through reduced building heating and
cooling needs.
Future Actions In addition to continuing to promote citizen involvement in urban tree planting,
City Forestry staff is interested in compiling and distributing technical information to the public
on the environmental aspects of tree planting, including optimal placement, environmental
benefits, etc.
PURCHASING
♦ Electronic Document Archive and Distribution
Status During 2001 and 2002, more City departments began using Procurement cards, rather
than the paper-intensive “Mini-Order” system. Also in 2002, Purchasing began to scan in copies
of RFPs and contracts for archive, instead of requesting three printed copies. These efforts
collectively prevented using 193 reams of office paper, which equates to avoiding 3.1 tons of
CO2 emissions in 2002.
Future Actions Purchasing will research and promote environmentally preferable products for
City purchasing. If resources are available, this could involve surveying the extent to which City
departments are currently implementing the Administrative Policy Guidelines for purchasing
such as using recycled content paper, then developing and implementing an education campaign
for City employees.
CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
♦ Climate Education and Outreach Efforts
Climate Staffing
In May 2001, a half-time contractual Environmental Planner to support the greenhouse gas
reduction activities of the Energy Management Team and the Climate Wise business program
was hired. This position was funded by Utilities in 2001 (June 2001 – May 2002) and by
Community Planning and Environmental Services (June 2002 – December 2003).
In addition, Fort Collins Utilities provided funding to support 0.5 FTE to work on business
outreach and climate protection activities for two years (mid 2002 to mid 2004).
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
Public Education and Outreach
In 2001, staff participated in the Race for Global Warming a 5k race held in downtown Denver.
Efforts were made to explore the possibility of bringing the race to the Fort Collins area in 2001.
However, after further examination, staff determined that a walk or “volksmarch” might be a
better educational opportunity for the Fort Collins community.
A Climate Change educational display was assembled and placed in City offices and the
downtown public library throughout 2000 –2001. In addition, the Climate Change educational
materials and display were used at a variety of outdoor local events (Earth Day, Bike Fest, New
West Fest and the Sustainability Fair).
Environmental Business Outreach
In mid-2002 a new program, Environmental Business Outreach, was developed to provide broad
environmental and climate education to the business community. A brochure was developed
highlighting the various existing City environmental programs that are available to the business
community. The environmental programs highlighted, if implemented, may assist in the
reduction of GHG emissions.
Climate Video
The Energy Management Team developed a short video to better education the public about
global warming and climate change. The video outlines the basic principles behind global
warming and identifies important actions individuals can take to help reduce greenhouse gases.
It highlights some of the actions the City is taking to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions,
including the City's Climate Wise program. The 7-minute video was shown on Cable 27
throughout the months of January and February 2002 and was played at the March 5, 2002 City
Council meeting.
Building G.R.E.E.N. Workshop
The City of Fort Collins received a grant from the Colorado Pollution Prevention Advisory
Board to hold a Sustainable Design Workshop in 2002. Architects, engineers and builders were
invited to attend the one-day event, titled Building G.R.E.E.N.: Gaining Resources to meet
Environmental and Economic Needs, which was held September 19 at the University Park
Holiday Inn in Fort Collins. Attendance far exceeded expectations (more than 175 people
attended) and speakers and break-out sessions focused on the specifics of using sustainable
design principles. Experts shared their first-hand experiences with sustainable materials,
construction practices, and design and implementation. The conference included lectures,
vendor displays, technical and business breakout sessions and an open question and answer
forum.
Using an interactive keypad technology, the Building G.R.E.E.N. committee was able to get
immediate feedback from the audience and share it with them. 35% of seminar participants felt
that the seminar “lived up to their expectations” with 27% saying it “exceeded their
expectations.” Over 60% of the participants said they “will use something” they learned during
the seminar in one of their future projects and another 15% said they will develop something to
incorporate what they learned. The audience expressed that the biggest barrier to using
sustainable design elements was lack of curtomer demand. The second barrier mentioned was
City of Fort Collins
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
that features are too costly. Benefits gained by those who had used sustainable elements in past
projects included long-term cost savings and good public relations.
Climate Wise Partner Recognition
Five new Climate Wise partners in 2001 and 2002 were recognized for their efforts by the City
Council during a Fall 2002 Council meeting. The City Manager and Mayor presented all new
partners with a certificate and thanked them for their voluntary participation in the program. In
early 2003, the Climate Wise annual recognition event was combined with the recruitment event
to use resources more efficiently. The event included the current Wind Program participants.
The event was held at the Northern Hotel, a new Wind Program participant, and catered by
Fiona's catering, a new Climate Wise Partner. The annual recognition and recruitment event was
also televised and featured on Showcase Fort Collins for a month on Cable 27.
Triple I Series
The 2001 Triple I public information series included a presentation by City Utilities, “Cool It!
Guide to Smart Air Conditioning Choices". This presentation informed citizens about how to
make cost-effective choices for cooling their homes. Residential air conditioning is a rapidly
growing electrical energy end-use in Fort Collins.
5th Star ICLEI Award
In February 2002, the City of Fort Collins was awarded a five-star rating from the International
Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) for efforts to prevent global warming. The
five-star rating is the highest possible honor from ICLEI, indicating progress on all five CCP
milestones. Fort Collins was one of only 9 cities in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign
to receive the 5th milestone out of 117 US cities, and 515 cities globally. Mayor Ray Martinez
accepted the "Local Climate Protection" Award in Seattle, WA at the 9th annual ICLEI
conference in February.
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
SUMMARY OF 2001/2002 PRIORITY MEASURES
The status of the fourteen measures specifically recommended for priority implementation in
2001/2002 is provided in Table 14 below.
Table 14. Climate Protection Measures recommended for priority implementation in 2001-2002.
Measure Name
Status
VMT Goal
Fuel Consumption by City
Departments
Hydrogen Task Force
Climate Wise for businesses
Wind Program
2001 Indicators report shows VMT growth continues to outpace
population growth rates. LUTRAQ reforms. TDM programs continue.
Fleets database on vehicle fuel use completed. Sub-Committee met to
begin planning.
Council Resolution supporting hydrogen passed, 3/02
Five new partners added. Grant funding obtained from ICLEI
Number of residential and business subscribers grows.
Optimization of Waste Water
Treatment Pumps and
Motors
Reduce City Government
Building Energy Use 15%/s.f.
Energy Code Training for
builders
Green-Building Program for
residences
35% Waste Diversion Goal
by 2004
Landfill Gas to Energy
Increase Tree Planting
Citywide
Pilot Environmentally
Preferable Products
Climate Change Education
and Outreach
City of Fort Collins
High efficiency pumps and motors are installed whenever a pump or
motor is replaced.
City building energy consumption had dropped 10% (per sq foot) since
1990. Operations Services developed “Sustainable Design Guidelines”
for City buildings and established a goal for all new City building to
meet the LEED Silver standard.
Staff held numerous job site trainings for builders and insulation
companies to educate them about energy code installation standards.
The 2002 new Home Study resulted in specific recommendations for
energy code update that took priority over the consideration of a
general residential green building program.
Rivendell centralized recycling facility drop-off opened and use has
grown steadily. Recycling events for leaves, Christmas tress, and
computer equipment were held.
No Action
Drought conditions shifted the focus from expanding new tree-planting
to protecting and preserving existing trees.
ENERGY STAR office equipment has become the standard for Fort
Collins’ municipal purchasing.
Obtained contractual staffing for climate protection activities.
Developed Environmental Business Outreach brochure. Created and
aired a global warming video. Recognized Climate Wise partners. Help
“Building GREN” Workshop.
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
V. FUTURE ACTIONS
The Energy Management Team recommends implementation of the following actions to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the City’s Local Action Plan to Reduce
Greenhouse Gas Emissions (LAP) and with existing City policies and priorities. When
developing these recommendations, the Energy Management Team qualitatively considered the
following factors:
• progress to date on implementation of measures identified in the LAP and 2000 Status
Report,
• greenhouse gas reduction potential of measures,
• current understanding of department, service area, and City objectives and priorities.
Table 15 lists measures recommended by the Energy Management Team for priority
implementation in 2003- through 2005.
Table 15. Climate Protection Measures recommended for priority implementation in 2002-2003.
Measure Name
In
Original
LAP?
Current
Status
GENERAL
Sustainability Management
System
N
Inventory
Completed
Y
On-going
N
On-going
Y
Not Started
Y
On-going
N
Started
N
Started
N
Started
N
Not started
Y
Not started
Y
Started
Climate Wise
Hydrogen Pilot
Residential Green Building
Program
Recommended Future Action
Develop and Implement a Sustainability
Management System for the City.
Seek more partners, grant funding; develop
tiered participation levels.
Develop regional partnerships and promote
pilot production of fueling infrastructure and
prototype fleet vehicles.
Evaluate the potential for a residential green
building program following completion of the
2003 city building code update.
TRANSPORTATION
VMT Goal
Mason Street
CNG Fueling Station
ENERGY
Electric Energy Supply
Policy
Financing Options for City
Energy Efficiency
City Energy Manager
City Gov. Sustainable
Design and Operation
City of Fort Collins
28
Continue LUTRAQ programs; Fund and
implement TDM programs.
Construct 3.5 mile bike/ped segment from
Prospect to Fossil Creek.
Construct a compressed natural gas fueling
station for City CNG vehicles.
Develop and implement DSM and Renewable
Energy Strategic Plans
Explore alternatives such as lease-purchase,
performance contractor, etc. to achieve
increased energy efficiency in City facilities.
Investigate advantages of establishing a City
Energy Manager position.
Implement the Sustainable Design Guidelines
developed by Operation Services. Adopt
standards for sustainable construction and
operation of all City facilities.
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
Residential Building Code
Update
Ped Traffic Signal Retrofit
Y
Started
Request
started
Incorporate specific recommendations to
improve new home energy efficiency that
resulted from the 2002 New Home Study.
Provide matching funding for PRPA "Kash for
Kilowatts” program
N
Committee
is meeting
Implement recommendations of Task Force
N
Started
Continue the City and Utilities coordination
with ENERGY STAR initiatives.
N
New Home Task Force
ENERGY STAR
Waste
Expand Recycling
Drop-off Options
Continue to work with the County to increase
citizens recycling opportunities at both County
and City drop-off locations.
Require haulers to collect #7 paper mix; Fix
loopholes in the Pay-As-You -Throw
ordinance.
Increase recycling opportunities for
multifamily residences.
Evaluate feasibility of new local measures for
composting. Explore opportunities for pilot
projects (biomass fueling for hydrogen
generation, incorporation of brewery sludge
into compost)
Waste diversion survey of businesses and
residents; dumpster dive to characterize
municipal waste.
Y
Started
N
Started
N
Started
N
Started
N
Started
N
Underway
Y
On-going
Y
On-going
N
Started
Research and promote environmentally
preferable products for City purchasing.
Expand the number and types of documents
that are archived electronically.
Y
Contractual
position
ends 2004
Obtain permanent funding for climate
education and technical assessment staffing.
Climate Change Education
and Outreach
Y
On-going
Focus general outreach on energy efficient
appliances.
Energy Training for
City Employees
Y
Training
Exists
N
On-Going
Recycling Regulations
Multifamily Recycling
Expand Organics Recycling
Data Collection
Vegetation
Urban Forest Cost:Benefit
Analysis
Increase lifespan of Cityowned trees
Purchasing
Promote Environmentally
Preferable Products
Electronic Documents
Complete study
Plant appropriate species in appropriate
locations. Focus resources on the care and
maintenance of existing City-owned trees.
Education
Climate Change staffing
Environmental Business
Outreach
City of Fort Collins
29
Conduct "Energy for Everyone" training for all
City employees.
Continue to deliver information about City
environmental programs to new and targeted
businesses.
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
General
•
Sustainability Management System - In 2002, a Sustainability Inventory was conducted for
the City of Fort Collins to establish a profile of the quality of the City's social, economic and
environmental sustainability and to describe current management practices developed to
enhance or maintain those resources. The findings provide a snapshot view of the current
sustainability of the community’s resources, identify positive strides being made towards
sustainability as well as highlight potential barriers to further advancement. In 2003, staff
recommendations for advancing closer to sustainability were submitted to the City Manager.
The next step involves hiring a consultant to design and implement a Sustainability
Management System (SMS). The SMS will incorporate recommendations from the
Sustainability Inventory, information from the City’s Environmental Management System,
and input from City departments to create a plan to guide the City to incorporate sustainable
principles into policies and programs.
•
Climate Wise – Continue outreach efforts to secure more Climate Wise business partners
and maintain close relationships with existing partners to ensure implementation, monitoring,
and reporting of actions identified in their Action Plans. Implement a new tiered
participation format that will recognize partners achieving the greatest reductions and raise
the incentive for other partners to increase their participation levels. Seek funding to sustain
the program.
•
Hydrogen Pilot – Develop regional partnerships and promote pilot production of fueling
infrastructure and prototype fleet vehicles.
•
Residential Green Building Program – Evaluate green building program models that are
employed in other communities and determine which model holds the most promise for Fort
Collins, following completion of Fort Collins’ 2003 building code update. If feasible,
develop an implementation plan for adopting a green building program in Fort Collins.
Transportation Emissions
•
VMT Goal - LUTRAQ - Recognizing that greenhouse gas emissions from the
transportation sector are predicted to rise more quickly than emissions in any other sector,
and that VMT reduction is a high priority for the City, the Energy Management Team
strongly recommends that projects and programs proposed by the interdepartmental
LUTRAQ Team be funded and implemented.
•
VMT Goal - Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Activities – Recognizing that
on-the-ground efforts to promote use of alternative modes and reduce citizen and
employee VMT play a critical role in achieving citywide VMT reduction, and
recognizing that the TDM program has just undergone a thorough evaluation and
revision, staff strongly recommends that City TDM activities receive needed funding in
2004-2005. In order to demonstrate the City’s commitment to VMT reduction efforts,
staff recommends that the TDM program be funded from the City’s general fund, rather
than relying on federal dollars (i.e., CMAQ) to sustain the program.
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
•
Mason Street – The City plans to move ahead with the construction of the bike and
pedestrian trail portion along a 3.5 mile segment between Prospect Road and Fossil Creek
Trail, south of Harmony. This segment of the corridor is funded through the Colorado
Department of Transportation and the 1997 “Building Community Choices” tax
initiative. It is anticipated that construction of this segment will be completed in
2004/2005, offering a convenient N-S route for cyclists and pedestrians.
•
CNG Fueling Station – Construct a compressed natural gas fueling station having two
time-fill CNG fuel makers, for use by the City fleet.
Energy Emissions
Recognizing that greenhouse gas emissions from electricity and natural gas use in the residential
and commercial sectors collectively account for 65% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions,
energy conservation remains an on-going priority. The Energy Management Team recommends
focusing on the following measures in 2003-2005:
•
Implement the new City Electric Energy Supply Policy – Fort Collins’ City Council adopted
a new Electric Energy Supply Policy in March 2003. One of the primary objectives of the
policy is to reduce the environmental impact of electricity generation through conservation,
energy efficiency, load management and the increased use of renewable energy. The policy
includes the following specific targets for energy conservation and renewable energy:
o Reduce per capita electric consumption 10% from the baseline of 2002, by the year
2012. The10% per capita consumption reduction target will reduce overall electric
consumption approximately 16% by 2012.
o Work with Platte River Power Authority to increase the City's percentage of
renewable energy to 2% by the end of 2004 and to 15% by the year 2017.
Both targets support the LAP efforts to reduce Citywide carbon dioxide emissions. The
per capita energy efficiency and conservation efforts are expected to avoid 175,000 tons
of CO2 emissions in 2010. The increase in renewable energy use is expected to avoid
80,000 tons of CO2 emissions in 2010. The combined impact of these two measures
could account for 23% of the 1.1 million tons CO2 reduction goal in 2010. An
implementation plan for the Electric Energy Supply Policy is under development in 2003,
and an annual status report on the objectives of the policy will be provided to City
Council.
•
Financing Options for City Energy Efficiency – Explore alternatives such as leasepurchase, performance contractor, etc. to achieve increased energy efficiency in City
facilities.
•
Investigate the Advantages of Establishing a City Energy Manager Position – Investigate
the advantages of establishing a City Energy Manager position for all municipal facilities.
City of Fort Collins
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
This is one of the Energy Management Team’s top recommendations to help achieve the
goal of reducing City government building energy use by 15% per square foot.
•
City Government Sustainable Design and Operation - Implement the sustainable design
guidelines developed by Operations Services for construction and renovation of City
facilities. The guidelines call for all new City facilities to achieve a silver level rating
from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines created by
the US Green Building Council. Encourage the development and adoption of sustainable
operational guidelines for all City facilities.
•
Residential Building Code Update – Incorporate specific recommendations to improve
new home energy efficiency that resulted from the 2002 New Home Study into the 2003
update of Fort Collins Residential Building Code.
•
Pedestrian Signal Retrofit – Apply for PRPA’s “Kash for Kilowatts” incentive program
to reduce the cost of retrofitting all the City pedestrian Walk and Don’t Walk signals with
energy efficient LEDs. Possibly collaborate with regional partners on bulk purchasing.
•
Implement the Recommendations of New Home Stakeholder Group – In 2003, the City
of Fort Collins and E-Star Colorado convened a housing market stakeholder group that
will recommend action plans regarding changes in new home design, construction and
performance. The goal is to make recommendations to improve the "whole-house"
performance of new homes - potentially improving occupant comfort, health and safety
and energy efficiency while reducing maintenance needs. Implement the
recommendations of the Stakeholder group.
•
ENERGY STAR – Continue the City and Utilities coordination with ENERGY STAR
initiatives. The strategic plan for implementation of the Electric Energy Supply Policy
calls for expanding involvement with national ENERGY STAR initiatives as they apply
to Fort Collins.
Solid Waste Reduction
•
Expand recycling drop-off options – Continue to work with the County to increase citizens
recycling opportunities at both County and City drop-off locations.
•
Recycling Regulations - Amend the designated list of materials for curbside recycling to
require that trash haulers begin collecting magazine/catalogues and junk mail (the “# 7”
paper mix), along with existing newspaper and co-mingled bottle/can recycling. Also,
analyze the City’s Pay-As-You-Throw ordinance to close the loopholes.
•
Multifamily recycling – Increase opportunities for multifamily recycling.
•
Expand Organics Recycling - Evaluate feasibility of new local measures to increase
composting. Explore opportunities for pilot projects including biomass fueling for hydrogen
generation, and incorporation of brewery sludge into compost. Develop budget
City of Fort Collins
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2002 Climate Protection Status Report
recommendations for 2006-2007 to contribute municipal funds to help pay the costs for
expanding Larimer County Recycling Center.
•
Data Collection – Conduct a waste diversion survey of businesses and residents and conduct
a dumpster dive to characterize municipal waste.
Vegetation
•
Urban Forest Cost-Benefit – Complete the community carbon credits study and the
comprehensive analysis of Fort Collins’ urban forest.
•
Increase Lifespan of City-owned Trees – Focus resources on the care and maintenance of
existing City-owned trees.
Purchasing
•
Environmentally Preferable Products - Research and promote environmentally preferable
products for City purchasing. Consider hiring an intern to assist with this effort.
•
Electronic Documents - Expand the number and types of documents that are electronically
archived, thus reducing paper use.
Education
•
Climate Change Staffing - Seek permanent funding to continue the climate work (education
and technical) currently funded with one-time money.
•
Climate Change Education and Outreach – In 2002, Fort Collins joined DOE’s ENERGY
STAR as a “Regional Program Implementer”. This provides the City with free access to
DOE’s educational materials and Web site. Initially, focus will be on promoting the
purchase of energy efficient home and office appliances to citizens.
•
“Energy for Everyone” Training – Conduct the “Energy for Everyone” training for all City
departments to educate and motivate employees to reduce energy while on the job and at
home.
•
Environmental Business Outreach - Continue to deliver the brochure that describes City
environmental programs to new and targeted businesses. Programs described in the brochure
include Utilities Design Assistance, Solid Waste Reduction, Wind Power Program, Climate
Wise, Smart Trips, and Landscaping with Native Plants.
Additional Ideas
Car-Sharing - About 75% of North Americans live in cities. Many of them simply don't drive
enough to justify the expense and hassles of owning a car - yet can't give up the freedom of
driving a car when they want to. Car Sharing provides instant-access to a network of cars
City of Fort Collins
33
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
throughout a city, 24 hours-a-day, paying-per-trip. It avoids the commitment, inconvenience,
and expense associated with owning a car. Car Sharing networks are catching on in cities around
the globe. This approach may hold merit as a VMT reduction strategy for Fort Collins.
City of Fort Collins
34
2002 Climate Protection Status Report
APPENDIX A
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ANALYSIS
EMISSIONS FACTORS
and
DATA SOURCES
1
Background
Over time, emission factors used to calculate both Fort Collins’ emissions inventory and the CO2
benefit of measures have evolved. Given the number of changes that have occurred, and
resulting inconsistencies, ALL emissions inventories were updated in 2003 to use the best
emissions factors currently available. The factors used are presented below.
Electricity
kWh x .003412 = MMBTU
MMBTU x 0.214 = Tons CO2 for citywide emission inventory
MMBTU x 0.308** = Tons CO2 for electricity reduction measures
**NOTE: Measures that reduce electricity typically result in a reduction of the most costly
source of electricity, or the marginal generating source. In this region, that is typically coalgenerated electricity, not hydro or renewables. The conversion factor of 2,100 lbs. CO2/MWh
(0.308 tons CO2, MMBTU) is used to calculate the GHG reduction benefit of electricityreducing actions. This factor is considered by PRPA to be reasonably aggressive, yet defensible,
and is used in PRPA’s 1605(b) reports to the Energy information Administration. It would have
been possible to select a more aggressive conversion factor of 2,400 lbs./MWH, but this more
moderate conversion factor was chosen in to be compatible with 16095 (b) reporting.
Natural Gas
MMBTU x 0.0616 = Tons CO2 for citywide emission inventory and natural gas reduction
measures
Transportation
Gasoline gallon x 0.125 = MMBTU x 0.79 = Tons CO2
Diesel gallon x 0.139 = MMBTU x 0.81 = Tons CO2
Propane gallon x 0.093 = MMBTU x 0.75 = Tons CO2
CNG
gallon x 0.1256 = MMBTU x 0.63 = Tons CO2
Solid Waste Emissions Inventory (Tons MSX x factor = Tons CO2e)
Paper & paper products
Food waste
Plant debris
Wood, furniture, textiles
All other waste
Coeff
1.21035
1.12964
(0.16136)
(0.24207)
0.0
Source: CACP Software, June 2003
Recycling
Material
Cardboard
Glass
Aluminum
Steel
Plastic (avg HDPE/PET)
HDPE Plastic
Factor
3.873
0.322
17.752
2.017
2.078
1.977
2
PET plastic
Newspaper
Office Paper
Mixed Office Paper
Mixed General paper
Household Paper
Magazines
Phone Books
Text books
Fiberboard
General mixed paper
Wood
Mixed Recyclables
2.179
3.428
6.779
5.084
3.711
3.51
2.829
3.476
7.267
1.698
3.711
1.694
3.817
Source: CACP Software, June 2003
2001/2002 EMISSION AUDIT
ELECTRICITY
Data Source: Fort Collins Utilities, Ellen Switzer, Fort Collins Utilities, (970) 221-6714
(These data are not weather normalized.)
2001
402,468,000
454,210,000
402,036,000
Residential kWh
Commercial kWh
Industrial kWh
2002
422,425,000
458,585,000
421,419,000
When calculating tons CO2, the coefficient of 0.214 tons CO2/ MMBtu was used, as requested by
Platte River Power Authority. This emission factor takes into account the mix of sources for
local electricity (Rawhide, hydro, and a small amount of wind energy.)
NATURAL GAS
Data Source: Xcel Energy, Glenn Monroe, Xcel Energy, (303)294-2392;
[email protected]
2002
WEATHER
WEATHER
ADJ
ACTUAL
NORMAL
ACTUAL
NORMAL
BASE
HEATING
HEATING
CUST
SALES
HDD
HDD
FACTOR
LOAD
LOAD
LOAD
RESIDENTIAL
37,415
3,320,103
863,227
2,456,876
2,528,199
3,391,426
COMMERCIAL
3,528
1,405,172
463,707
941,465
968,796
1,432,503
226
2,999,131
2,999,131
41,169
7,724,406
7,823,060
IND &
TRANSPORT
TOTAL
6238
6062
3
1.02903
NORMAL
SALES
2001
WEATHER
WEATHER
ADJ
ACTUAL
NORMAL
ACTUAL
NORMAL
BASE
HEATING
HEATING
NORMAL
CUST
SALES
HDD
HDD
FACTOR
LOAD
LOAD
LOAD
SALES
RESIDENTIAL
36,174
3,121,150
811,499
2,309,651
2,651,387
3,462,886
COMMERCIAL
3,472
1,333,105
439,925
893,180
1,025,335
1,465,260
222
2,411,852
2,411,852
39,868
6,866,107
7,339,998
IND &
TRANSPORT
TOTAL
6238
5434
1.14796
TRANSPORTATION
Fuel consumption, by fuel type, was calculated using the following steps:
1) Identify total Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).
Annual VMT for 2001 = 1,065,900,000
Annual VMT for 2002 = 1,118,700,000
VMT estimates were prepared by the City’s LUTRAQ Team, and are based on a 4.9^%
annual VMT growth rate from the year 1995.
2) Apportion total VMT among the percentage of vehicle types in Fort Collins estimated by the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for emissions modeling
purposes.
3) Multiply the annual number of miles driven (by fuel type) by an estimated MPG to yield
gallons fuel consumed
4) Apply emissions coefficients to convert from gallons of fuel to BTU’s to CO2.
Vehicle type
VMT percent
Gasoline car
Gasoline light truck
Gasoline other truck
Diesel car
Diesel light truck
Diesel heavy duty
63.3
28.9
2.3
0.9
0.4
3.9
Avg
MPG
19.7
14.3
8.0
30.0
17.0
5.0
4
Conversion factor
Conversion factor
0.125 MMBtu/gallon
0.125 MMBtu/gallon
0.125 MMBtu/gallon
0.139 MMBtu/gallon
0.139 MMBtu/gallon
0.139 MMBtu/gallon
0.079 tons Co2/MMBtu
0.079 tons Co2/MMBtu
0.079 tons Co2/MMBtu
0.081 tons Co2/MMBtu
0.081 tons Co2/MMBtu
0.081 tons Co2/MMBtu
SOLID WASTE
Data Source: Steve Harem, Larimer County Natural Resources (970) 498-5761
2001 LCL Summary of Waste Received
CY
Conversion
Min load
16,489
Car
3,561
Small PU
75,286
Large PU
25,548
Yard Waste
2,445
C&D
170,570
Comm Loose
306,370
Tires (ea)
11,172
25
Total Loose
MSW
600,269
200
Compact MSW
293,295
750
Tree Limbs
14,792
300
TOTAL
#
Tons
279300
139.65
120,053,800
219,971,250
4,437,600
60,027
109,986
2,219
171,414
Fort Collins 2000 Population:
251,494
Larimer County 2000 Population: 118,652
Fort Collins Proportion:
47 %
Larimer County Tons MSW:
171,414
Fort Collins proportion (Tons MSW):
80,871
2002 Larimer County landfill Data
Category
Min load
Car
Small PU
Large PU
Yard Waste
C&D
Comm Loose
Tires (ea)
Total Loose
MSW
Compact MSW
Tree Limbs
TOTAL
#
Tons
CY
14,556
3,982
76,646
29,877
2,557
174,267
309,811
9,146
Conversion
25
228650
114.325
611,696
324,746
6,530
200
750
300
122,339,200
243,559,500
1,959,000
61,170
121,780
980
184,043
Fort Collins 2000 Population:
251,494
Larimer County 2000 Population: 118,652
Fort Collins Proportion:
47 %
Larimer County Tons MSW:
184,043
Fort Collins proportion (Tons MSW):
86,892
5
The conversion from tons MSW to tons CO2 was calculated by the CACP software (June 2003)
using the following characterization of landfill waste.
Material
Paper
Food Waste
Plant Debris
Wood/Textiles
All Other
Total
Percent of Waste
1997**
23.6
7.1
13.4
22.6
33.3
100.0
** 1998 Larimer County Landfill Waste Characterization
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Please contact Lucinda Smith at the City of Fort Collins, Natural Resources Department (970)224-6085 with any
comments or questions about information contained in this Appendix.
6