1) Elevate Bond Renovations
2) Energy Performance Contracts
3) Continued Energy Management Program, including Operations and Behavior Changes
4) General Guidelines for Achieving Net Zero Energy
5) Xcel Energy Certified Renewable Percentage (future offering)
6) Rooftop Solar through Net Metering and Power Purchase Agreements
7) Xcel Energy Renewable Connect
8) Purchase Windsource or Renewable Energy Credits (as back-up plan)
to achieve the goal for energy efficiency strategies and electricity savings. These investments would come from:
City and County of Denver Energy Office
Department of General Services
What We Do
SUPPORT city-wide sustainability policies, programs, initiatives and payment of utility bills
IDENTIFY solutions to meet energy and water use reduction goals
PROVIDE data analysis, measurement and verification for all sustainability programs and initiatives
PARTNER with Facility Managers city-wide to implement efficient energy management best practices
ACHIEVE energy use reduction and cost savings through participation in Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) performance contracts, Xcel Energy's rebate programs and capital improvement projects
Local governments can dramatically reduce their carbon footprint by purchasing or directly generating electricity from clean, renewable sources.
The most common renewable power technologies include:
Options for using renewable energy include:
Benefits of Renewable Energy
Source - EPA.gov. "Local Renewable Energy Benefits and Resources." www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/local-renewable-energy-benefits-and-resources
Energy Star Certification
Sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency
ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Commercial buildings that earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. To earn ENERGY STAR certification, a facility must operate among the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide that year, with no sacrifices in comfort or quality. View the list of city-owned buildings that have earned the Energy Star.
Better Buildings Challenge (2020)
Sponsored by the US Department of Energy
Mayor Hancock endorsed the Better Buildings Challenge for city-owned buildings to improve city facilities’ energy efficiency per square-foot by 20% by 2020 from a 2011 baseline. The city committed 7.2 million square feet of municipal facilities to this goal, with the flexibility of a 20% variation from this square footage. View our progress.
2020 Sustainability Goals
Sponsored by the City and County of Denver Office of Sustainability
View the city’s progress report.
80x50 Climate Action Plan (2050)
Sponsored by the City and County of Denver Department of Public Health and Environment
The 80x50 Climate Action Plan outlines strategies to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2050 through deep decarbonization in buildings, transportation and electricity generation. Goals like the 100% renewable electricity goal are part of the Climate Action Plan. View the plan.