Making a City Energy Efficient Experiences from the City of Medford

Medford’s Energy Efficiency History  August 1999: ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection  September 1999: Creation of Medford Energy Task Force  October 1999: Solar Panels installed at City Hall and High School  October 1999-City Hall Retrofits and Conversion to Natural Gas heat

Medford’s Energy Efficiency History (cont’d)  January 2001: Hire Energy Efficiency Coordinator (Environmental Agent)  October 2001: First City in Commonwealth with approved Climate Action Plan  March 2002: Join Rebuild Massachusetts/ Rebuild America Campaign  September 2002: Begin benchmarking building energy performance

Medford’s Energy Efficiency History (cont’d)  October 2002: Receive 5 electric vehicles from Ford & convert cemetery to Biodiesel  April 2003: First Earth Month of Events, including Energy Efficiency Fair  July 2003: Creation of Energy & Environment Office  September 2003: Receive 2 Electric Vehicles from GM (EV-1) for 2 year use

Medford’s Energy Efficiency History (cont’d)  October 2003: Medford is only MA City to receive Clean School Bus USA grant  October 2003: Development of schools maintenance plans  January 2004: Mayor McGlynn appoints 9- member Medford Clean Energy Committee  April 2004: Medford High School EIS online

How Medford is doing it  Full-time staff & Energy Task Force  Interns/volunteers  Grants (over $500,000 to date)  Utility Rebates  Partnerships-Rebuild America, EnergyStar, Clean Cities Coalition, Clean School Bus  Press coverage

Building Retrofits/Conversions Retrofits  Lighting Retrofits at City Hall, Public Safety Building, Library  New Windows at Public Safety Building Conversions  Natural Gas Heat at High School, City Hall, Fire Stations  All new schools have natural gas heat

City Hall Example

Solar Panels at Hormel Stadium  No money  Local Contractor donates time and expertise  Municipal Workers install  Panels will cover lights for all night home games

Plan for Schools Maintenance  EIS in high school, 15 minute intervals of real time data  Working with State Division of Energy Resources and utilities-audits and inventories of all schools  Develop O&M plans for each building  Train current staff  Initiate energy education in schools

Keys to Success  Helpful to have a plan  Need a champion, preferably elected official or decision maker  Partnerships  Utility Rebates!!  Publicity

Contact Information Kim Lundgren, Environmental Agent Energy & Environment Office City of Medford, MA