Toward a More Sustainable Johnson County Toward a More Sustainable Johnson County AIMS Coordination Group September 10, 2009

Overview  Some facts and figures  What is sustainability and why is it a county priority?  2009 citizen survey results  BOCC greenhouse gas resolution  Efforts and achievements to date  Next steps

Our World Today & Tomorrow  U.S. Population:  Current million  million (44% increase) (44% increase)  World Population:  current billion  billion (34% increase) (34% increase) Data: U.S. Census Bureau Photo: National Geographic

Addicted to Oil?  U.S. oil production peaked in 1970  In 2007, the U.S. imported twice as much oil (10+ M bbl/day) as it produced  U.S. imports 5.98 M bbl/day from OPEC  2009 U.S. defense budget = $515.4 B

World Ecological Footprint, Source: World Wildlife Fund, Living Planet Report 2008

Sustainability  Balancing economic, environmental and social Balancing economic, environmental and social equity considerations in decision making  Using life-cycle Using life-cycle costing approach when making investments  Considering how our Considering how our choices will impact our kids, grandkids and future generations Society Economy Environment

Why It’s a Priority  Responsibility to our children Responsibility to our children  Sustainability fundamentally is about becoming more efficient, reducing waste  Taking long view provides lower costs & better value for taxpayers  New technologies = new New technologies = new opportunities for efficiency  County residents are County residents are demanding it Johnson County Sunset Drive Office Building Opened 2006; Certified LEED  Gold

2009 Citizen Survey  Mailed to random sample of 3,000 households in county  1,239 responses received (41% response rate)  Measured familiarity with/quality of county services, expectations regarding budget priorities, effectiveness of communication  95% confidence level, +/-2.8% precision at county level

BOCC Greenhouse Gas Resolution  In December 2007, BOCC approved a resolution establishing four goals: 1.Conduct a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory of county operations and reduce emissions 1/3 by Make new and substantially renovated county buildings carbon neutral by Conduct a community-wide GHG inventory; develop & implement a plan to reduce GHG emissions 80 percent by Provide leadership to encourage reduction of GHG emissions in county and regionally through education, dialogue and partnerships Kansas City Power & Light La Cygne Generating Station

County Government Sustainability Efforts  Sustainable County Committee formed in 2004  Five work groups established around specific issues in 2007  Steering Committee formed in 2007  Board adopts GHG reduction goals December 2007  Sustainability Program Director hired August 2008  2009 – Review & expansion of sustainability efforts

Committees & Subgroups  Steering Committee  Sustainability Committee  Multi-departmental  Entry-level to executive staff; one elected official  Subgroups:  Waste reduction  Green purchasing  Facilities  Education & outreach

Highlights of Sustainable Actions Completed or Underway  Lighting Retrofit Project: Phase 1 - $987,000; estimated 3.7 yr payback  Wastewater Wastewater  $15.1 M co-generation plant $15.1 M co-generation plant  Land Application of Bio-solids Land Application of Bio-solids  Employee ozone reduction Employee ozone reduction campaign has eliminated 400 tons of air pollution and 800,000 VMT Johnson County Administration Building Olathe, Kansas

Sustainability Highlights (cont’d)  Purchased 41 hybrid vehicles; reduced fuel costs $142,000 & air pollution by 2000 tons  Installed vapor recovery equipment at County- owned refueling stations, reducing VOC emissions by 2/3 ton per year  Sponsored change-a-light campaign for employees, saving $41,700 in electricity costs & reducing 278 tons of GHG emissions Johnson County hybrid electric fleet vehicles

Highlights of Sustainable Actions Completed or Underway (cont)  Computer power-down initiative begun October 2008; saves $64,000/yr and reduces GHG emissions by 679 tons/yr  Adopted new county-wide Solid Waste Adopted new county-wide Solid Waste Plan that promotes aggressive waste reduction  Recycling at Sunset Drive office Recycling at Sunset Drive office building has begun to generate revenue, offsetting trash disposal costs; implementing organization- wide recycling program

Next Steps Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (award pending)  20 county bldgs will receive energy audits  Recycling & composting  LED street/parking lot lighting  Electric vehicle recharging stations  Home weatherization assistance  Employee energy conservation outreach

Next Steps (cont’d)  Nelson Treatment Plant cogeneration feasibility study  Actively working to expand alt-fuel use in county fleet; possible partnerships w/ local govts. & private sector  Exploring feasibility of composting in county foodservice operations  Employee mobility Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin Treatment Plant Overland Park, Kansas

Next Steps (cont’d)  Secure funding for transit 5-year plan  Promote behaviors that reduce vehicle travel  Support efforts to expand regional green economy  Build partnerships with businesses and community groups to work on county- wide goals

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children" - Chief Seattle

My daughter, Sylvia Age 9 James Joerke Sustainability Program Director (913)