BernCo goes green, saves green

Bernalillo County taxpayers are already seeing the financial benefits of an $18 million energy efficiency project that will save approximately $500,000 annually in utility and maintenance costs while reducing the county’s environmental footprint.

The comprehensive project affects 11 major county facilities that residents use daily, from community centers where families gather to the courthouse where legal matters are handled and public safety buildings that serve emergency needs.

County Manager Cindy Chavez said in a county press release that the investment “reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship.”

“By acting now to modernize our buildings with energy-efficient systems and solar technology, we’re not only saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, we’re also ensuring a more sustainable future for our county and our community,” Chavez said.

The $18 million investment represents approximately 1.7% of Bernalillo County’s $1.03 billion operating budget approved this year. The annual savings of $500,000 work out to roughly 75 cents per county resident.

The energy upgrades affect facilities across Bernalillo County, including:

• District Courthouse (400 Lomas Blvd. NW)
• CARE Campus (5901 Zuni Rd. SE)
• Public Safety Center (401 Roma Ave. NW)
• Public Works Campus (2400 Broadway Blvd. SE)
• Housing Department (2400 Wellesley Dr. NE)
• District Attorney’s Office (520 Lomas Blvd. NW)
• Youth Services Center (5100 2nd St. NW)
• Paradise Hills Community Center (5901 Paradise Blvd. NW)
• Los Padillas Community Center (2117 Los Padillas Rd. SW)
• Westside Community Center (1250 Isleta Blvd. SW)
• Los Vecinos Community Center (478 NM 333, Tijeras)

The improvements include upgrading thousands of lightbulbs and light fixtures to light-emitting diode (LED) technology across all 11 facilities. LED bulbs typically use 50% less energy and last up to five times longer than fluorescent bulbs.

Other upgrades include new high-efficiency transformers in 10 buildings, complete HVAC system rebuilds at the District Courthouse and Housing Department headquarters, new energy-efficient windows and stucco at the Public Safety Center, and water conservation retrofits with water-saving valves, faucets and toilets.

The project includes nearly 500 kilowatts of new solar installations, featuring four carport canopy installations, a playground shade structure and three separate rooftop installations. Electric vehicle charging stations were installed at one property.

Jared Divett, director of Bernalillo County’s Fleet and Facilities Department, said in a county press release that the county chose these sites “based on a study that showed our greatest opportunity for energy savings.”

“Decreasing our energy use costs and reducing our carbon output have been our primary goals with this project,” Divett said. “Implementing energy-saving technology, while at the same time replacing mechanical systems that are nearing end of life, has been an excellent way to improve the overall quality of our buildings.”

The project aligns with federal government research on energy efficiency benefits for local governments. The Environmental Protection Agency states that “the average building wastes about a third of the energy it uses” and that local governments can achieve “substantial energy cost savings” through efficiency improvements.

Department of Energy analysis shows local governments can achieve “10, 20 and 30 percent” energy efficiency improvements through effective energy management practices, according to agency guidance.

Bernalillo County signed the contract for the multi-site energy efficiency project in December 2023, and work has been underway for more than 18 months. The project grew from an Investment Grade Audit performed by Energy Systems Group in 2022 and 2023.

The initiative is managed under Bernalillo County’s sustainability coordinator, who works with county departments to improve operational efficiency. County officials hope to conduct another round of audits, followed by energy and cost-saving improvements at additional facilities within the next two years.

“The benefits to the county are reduced maintenance costs, reduced energy costs and energy savings, and the benefits to the community is a smaller carbon footprint,” Divett said. “We become an example for others to follow in our reduction, in that we hope to start a trend.”