Jessica Fisher

The City of Spokane Celebrates Net Zero Energy Consumption

Jessica Fisher, Public Information Assistant, No Phone Number Available

Friday, April 21, 2017 at 3:52 p.m.

The City of Spokane Celebrates Net Zero Energy Consumption

In celebration of Earth Day the City of Spokane would like to share some exciting news! We have effectively achieved net zero energy consumption across all of our municipal facilities and services. This means the City’s energy generation equals its use of electricity, natural gas, and fuel.

The City’s energy production is primarily hydropower at the Upriver Dam and electricity generated through steam at the Waste to Energy Facility and the Riverside Park Water Reclamation Facility. The City’s use of energy includes power for dozens of buildings and operational facilities and hundreds of vehicles.

Over the last decade the City has worked to reduce its energy consumption. We have:

  • Began work to convert our garbage fleet from diesel to compressed natural gas.
  • Adopted a policy that require new vehicles to be more fuel efficient than the vehicles they replace.
  • Built the new energy-efficient Spokane Central Service Center to replace aging and inefficient buildings at the former Normandie complex.
  • Installed software that powers down computers when they aren’t in use.
  • Replaced the bulbs in traffic signals across the City with LED bulbs.
  • Completed a series of other changes, like installing more energy-efficient motors at water pump stations, changing out lighting in City facilities with more energy-efficient bulbs, and upgrading HVAC systems.

Today, the City remains dedicated to adding more renewable power generation and exploring options for addition investments in “smart” technology that saves energy. For example, we are exploring the possibility of adding solar energy generation to our portfolio.

The City of Spokane is committed to approaches and projects that are both environmentally and financially responsible. We want to achieve multiple benefits for citizens with the same dollars and leverage assets to create opportunities for economic growth.

Read the 2015 Municipal Energy Balance chart.

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