Council gives green light to energy savings initiative with Siemens

Energy savings, increased efficiencies, and the opportunity to reduce the City of Rolla’s carbon footprint, were all reasons the Rolla City Council gave a green light for the City to enter into a performance contract agreement with Siemens Industry, Inc., Building Technologies Division.

Considering that the City of Rolla spends between $650,000 and $700,000 annually on utilities for our many services and facilities (approximately 3% of our total budget), saving upwards of 20% or about $150,000 a year on our utility expenses should be an investment that will pay for itself.

While the project affects several different departments, it is considered a single comprehensive energy effort. The largest improvements consist of major pump and blower upgrades at the City’s  wastewater treatment plant (Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant, the City’s largest treatment facility), which have depreciated and need to be replaced in the near future. Other improvements range from a new roof at the Rolla Police Department headquarters, to the replacement of the inefficient lighting, both inside and outside, at the RPD headquarters, The Centre, both Fire and Rescue stations, Rolla City Hall, and all three of the City’s wastewater treatment plants. The upgrades extend all the way down to the temperature controls on vending machines and the replacement of HID Metal Halide lamps in the gymnasium and natatorium at The Centre with a T-5 electronic ballast high output lighting system. For a complete list of all the energy upgrades and the facilities included in the scope of work, please visit the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtm.

Working with the Missouri Water Utility Partnership (consisting of the EPA, DNR, Missouri S&T and Siemens) in mid-2009, the City of Rolla was one of 10 Missouri communities chosen to pursue a full energy analysis on all facilities in a 20% reduction in energy consumption. The performance agreement recently approved by City Council with Siemens, which was selected by the City to pursue a full energy audit and ultimately a scope of services, was made possible by recently passed Missouri state legislation that allows a contractor to guarantee the utility savings towards the lease or debt service payments to the cost of financing energy efficiency projects.

By engaging in this comprehensive effort, the City believes we are setting a standard for other Missouri communities to be good stewards of their resources. In addition, the representatives from Siemens commented at the June 21 City Council meeting that it intends to use Rolla as a model to other Missouri cities and communities who are considering such an energy conservation program. Siemens also commented that they intend to use Rolla as a showcase to try out other new energy saving equipment at no charge to the City in the next six months or so.

In closing I’d like to remind everyone to mark their calendars for the annual Lions Club Carnival which begins this Thursday, July 1 and runs through Sunday, July 4. Please also note that SplashZone, Rolla’s outdoor water park, located next to The Centre in Ber Juan Park, will be celebrating the 4th with Independence Dollar Day where everyone gets in for just $1. Rolla City Hall and the Environmental Services Department will also be closed on Monday, July 5 in observance of the Independence Day Holiday. Monday’s trash will be picked up on Tuesday and Tuesday’s trash will be picked up on Wednesday.

The Rolla City Council meeting, normally held on the first Monday of the month, will be held on Wednesday, July 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall (901 N. Elm Street). It was necessary to schedule the City Council meeting on Wednesday, July 7 instead of Tuesday, because Rolla Municipal Court will be held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

Please have a safe and memorable July 4th weekend, and remember to keep all the members of the U.S. Armed Services in your thoughts and prayers as you enjoy the freedoms and celebrations that they make possible for all of us.