HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2011-048 adopting an energy strategy for the town MARANA RESOLUTION NO. 2011-48
RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT; ADOPTING AN ENERGY STRATEGY FOR THE
TOWN OF MARANA
WHEREAS the Town of Marana desires to be an energy conscious organization; and
WHEREAS the Town of Marana's strategic plan envisions promoting energy efficiency
within the community; and
WHEREAS the Town of Marana received a grant from the department of commerce to
review the energy efficiency of the Town; and
WHEREAS one of the deliverables required for the energy efficiency grant was a
comprehensive energy strategy for the Town; and
WHEREAS the Town Council reviewed an energy strategy prepared by staff on March
22, 2011.
NOW, THEREFOR, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF MARANA, ARIZONA, that the energy efficiency and conservation strategy attached
to this resolution as exhibit A shall be the guiding document for the Town of Marana in regards
to energy efficiency and conservation.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
MARANA, ARIZONA, this 18 day of May, 2011.
Mayor td Honea
ATTEST:
�D �pRPORft i
celyn ronson, Town Clerk C g OO° :
- s
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
'Wal
Cassidy,
F Cassidy, Town Attorney
Town of Marana
Energy Efficiency
And
Conservation Strategy
N
I
May 2011
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
Table of Contents
Introduction .......................................................... ..............................3
Transportation Efficiencies ..................................... ..............................4
Background........................................................... ............................... 4
Current and Existing Projects ..................................... ..............................4
Opportunities and Challenges .................................... ..............................5
StrategicDirection ................................................... ..............................6
Initiatives and Actions ....................................... ............................... • • . • .. 6
Buildings, Infrastructure and Equipment .................. ..............................8
Background.......................................................... ............................... 8
Current and Existing Projects .................................... ..............................9
Opportunities and Challenges ................................... ..............................9
Strategic Direction .................................................. .............................10
Initiatives and Actions .............................................. .............................10
Water Conservation and Management ..................... .............................13
Background........................................................... .............................13
Current and Existing Projects ................................... .............................13
Opportunities and Challenges .................................. .............................14
Strategic Direction ................................................. .............................14
Initiatives and Actions ........................... ......... .............................
Renewable Resources ............................................ .............................16
Background.............. ............................... ............ .............................16
Current and Existing Projects .................................... .............................16
Opportunities and Challenges ................................... .............................16
Strategic Direction .................................................. .............................17
Initiatives and Actions .............................................. .............................17
Solid Waste Reduction ........................................... .............................17
Background........................................................... .............................17
Current and Existing Projects .................................... .............................18
Opportunities and Challenges ................................... .............................18
Strategic Direction ............................................................................... 18
Initiatives and Actions .............................................. .............................19
CommunityOutreach ............................................. .............................19
Background............................................................ .............................19
Current and Existing Projects ..................................... .............................20
Opportunities and Chal lenges ..................................... .............................20
Strategic Direction ................ • ................................ ............................... 20
Initiatives and Actions .............................................. .............................21
Conclusion ........................................................... .............................22
-2-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
1. Introduction
Town of Marana (Town) was awarded federal funding through the
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program funded as
part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
The award provided the Town an opportunity to develop an Energy
Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (Strategy). Adopted by the
Marana Town Council on 5/18/2011 (Resolution No.2011 -48). This
document will serve as the guide for development and implementation
of energy saving projects and programs and as resource to inform
policy direction.
During development of the Strategy, the Town assembled a multi-
disciplinary team of internal staff with a wide knowledge base and
operational expertise. This team worked collectively to synthesize
existing data, energy audits, and public \stakeholder feedback into a
workable strategy with the overarching goal of achieving energy
savings across the organization and throughout the community.
In order to achieve these community energy efficiency and
conservation goals the strategy will focus on the following areas:
• Transportation Efficiencies
• Buildings, Infrastructure, and Equipment
• Water Conservation and Management
• Renewable Resources
• Solid Waste Reduction
• Community Outreach
The strategy includes initiatives designed to facilitate behavioral
change within the organization and offer guidance to the greater
community. Each focus area includes initiatives and actions for
implementation of the strategy. Each initiative provides specific short-
term, long -term, and ongoing actions developed by the team to
address the goals and objectives set forth in this document.
Short-term actions are defined as projects with an estimated
completion date in the 0 -5 years range. Long -term actions are
projected to be initiated sometime after the 5 year mark. Ongoing
actions are those initiatives in place and being continued, and /or those
repeated on an established schedule.
This strategy has been developed as an adaptive plan intended to be
responsive to new ideas, technologies, partnerships, and shifts in
available resources. To insure accountability, a yearly report will be
developed to indicate performance. Major updates will be conducted at
-3-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
a minimum every five years, with smaller adjustments occurring as
needed, based on the results of an ongoing monitoring and evaluation
program.
Measuring the energy efficiency improvements linked to the actions
described for each focus area within this strategy has been integrated
into this document. Baseline information is provided for each focus
area serving as the benchmark for measuring outcomes of the actions.
Energy conservation can be promoted and supported through the
implementation of programs, provision of incentives, and improvement
of existing development standards. This strategy serves as a resource
for the Town to establish policy direction.
The Town began its look at energy use within the community by
compiling information on municipal energy use, tracking use trends
across the organization, identifying saving opportunities, and
establishing criteria for setting priorities for the allocation of future
funding.
The Town included an Energy Element in the 2010 General Plan that
provides the background and history of internal projects and activities
to date. The Energy Element also establishes general goals and future
actions. The Strategy is the implementation plan of the goals
established in the General Plan and describes public outreach and
public education opportunities designed to meet one of the Community
Building goals outlined in Marana's Strategic Plan.
2. Transportation Efficiencies
a. Background
Developing transportation efficiencies is critical as the Town moves
forward in the implementation of behavioral change. This section
describes the Town's transportation systems, infrastructure, fleet
vehicles, maintenance procedures and multi -modal systems. The
Town has not established an energy goal related to transportation, but
has been working on projects that work to reduce energy consumption.
Since 2006, new installations of traffic signals use light emitting diode
(LED) lighting and currently there is an effort to find funding to replace
existing traffic lights with LED lighting. The Town also uses Synchro
7.1 technology, a computer -based tool that assists in the development
of signal coordination within Town limits, thereby reducing vehicular
idling times. The Town is also working with regional partners to
establish coordinated signals along shared transportation corridors to
-4-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
improve traffic flow. This reduces both air pollution as well as fuel
consumption in the community.
Pollution resulting from the use of cars is one of the major factors that
negatively impacts air quality in our region. Carpooling, using clean
technology vehicles, and choosing alternative modes of transportation
such as public transit, biking, or walking can help reduce congestion
and improve air quality.
b. Current and Existing Projects
• The Town has expanded its public transit options via the Sun Tran,
Sun Express, and Sun Shuttle programs. Working with regional
partners, the Town is able to provide multiple express options,
fixed -route services, and circulators designed to serve customers
and expand access to transit services.
• The Town is developing a more multimodal transportation system
for the community that includes completion of undeveloped
sections of the Santa Cruz River Shared -Use Path.
• The newly completed Silverbell Road project between Cortaro
Road and Ina Road widened the road from two to four lanes to
improve the capacity of the roadway and includes bike lanes and
sidewalks to encourage more multimodal transportation. The
improvements have reduced idling times for vehicular traffic. By
using native vegetation that does not require watering beyond the
establishment period along the roadway, the project reduces long-
term water use.
• The newly completed section of Twin Peaks Road offers three and
a half miles of new roadway that reduce the number of vehicle
travel miles by providing direct access to Interstate -10. This
roadway project also included the provision of a shared -use path
and bike lanes. The native vegetation planted along the roadway
will not require watering beyond the establishment period.
• The Town is currently designing shared use paths to provide multi -
modal connectivity in both Northern and Southern Marana, along
the Santa Cruz River. These shared -use paths were outlined in the
Town's Trails Master Plan (Oct. 5 th 2010 — Resolution No. 2010-
95).
• The Town uses recycled rubberized asphalt on all its paving
projects.
c. Opportunities and Challenges
There are many opportunities and challenges for the Town in regards
to transportation. Marana's fleet as of early 2011, consists of 204
vehicles, and currently has a small percentage of hybrid vehicles for a
-5-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
fleet this size. The Town would like to see that number dramatically
increase but purchasing new vehicles has been postponed due to
current funding constraints.
Another area that was affected by lack of funding was the Town's
Carpool Incentive Program. The Town previously offered a monthly
stipend for any of its employees who carpooled or used an alternative
mode of transportation such as biking to work. Carpool ridership has
been greatly reduced since the funding incentive was discontinued.
The Town is confident that it will be able to address its challenges and
will continue to improve and provide the type of transportation options
Marana's residents and employees deserve.
An ongoing challenge is the constant need to adjust the Town's
transportation systems to accommodate new development or traffic
patterns. Such changes help to maintain an efficient and safe
transportation system that contributes to reducing vehicular idling
times.
d. Strategic Direction
Marana desires to create a balanced transportation system that is
sustainable, multimodal, accessible to all persons, and that provides
safe and efficient mobility. There are several ways for the Town to
achieve these goals and the logical place to start is by improving the
efficiency of our fleet.
The Town fleet, as of 2011, consists of a little over 200 vehicles,
ranging from sedans to heavy duty trucks. Currently, only about 3% of
the fleet utilizes hybrid technology which gives the Town a chance to
drastically improve that number. The Town is looking to double that
percentage to 6% through our vehicle replacement program.
e. Initiatives and Actions
Initiative: Emphasize safe and efficient vehicular and pedestrian
movement throughout the Town and into neighboring jurisdictions
Short Term Actions:
• Construct shared use path extending for 2.7 miles from the
existing Gladden Farms Park
• Construct shared use path from Coyote Trails Elementary to the
newly constructed District Park
-6-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
Long Term Actions:
• Design and construct safe and efficient pedestrian movement
with multi -use paths and bike lanes to encourage walking and
biking
• Explore opportunities to connect the Santa Cruz River shared
use path to other sections region -wide
Ongoing Actions:
• Improve signal coordination to allow for more efficient traffic flow
and less gas consumption
• Exploring opportunities to increase the number of coordinated
corridors regionally and locally
Initiative: Reduce energy use of Town fleet (cars and trucks)
Short Term Actions:
• Improve how gas usage is collected, monitored, and reported by
having better control of fuel stations and fuel reports
• Double the percentage of hybrids currently in fleet from 3% to
6%
• Determine use of fleet trucks and whether four wheel drive is
appropriate for its use
Long Term Actions:
• Incorporate electric vehicle infrastructure at Town buildings and
facilities
• Add electric vehicles to the Town fleet
• Construct a Town -owned fuel station
Ongoing Actions:
• Continue to work with Pima County on improving gas usage
reporting
Initiative: Reduce vehicle miles traveled by employees
Short Term Actions:
• Provide incentives for employees to carpool and promote public
transit as a transportation option
• Create an information center for employees on the Town
intranet site to facilitate carpooling
• Research and evaluate the opportunity to re- establish a Town
carpool incentive program
-7-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
Ongoing Actions:
• Work with Pima Association of Governments (PAG) and the
Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to enhance transit
alternatives to better serve employees
Initiative: Incorporate energy savings into road construction and
maintenance in a manner that insures durability
Ongoing Actions:
• Seek opportunities to utilize recycled asphalt paving (RAP) in
Town paving and projects
• Include funding in CIP for new roads to receive rehabilitation
after first two (2) years to extend life of pavement
Initiative: Incorporate renewable or high efficiency technology into traffic
operations
Short Term Actions:
• Standardized the use of LED's for parking lot and street lighting
Ongoing Actions:
• Utilization of solar powered traffic signals (Ex: crosswalk and
school zone lights) when appropriate
• Upgrading all existing traffic and street lights to LED's
3. Buildings, Infrastructure, and Equipment
a. Background
The Town is currently responsible for buildings, facilities, and
equipment including municipal structures, street lights, water wells and
pumps, and office equipment. Each of these areas has the ability to be
operated and constructed more efficiently and the Town is making
those efforts a priority.
The Town has several opportunities to improve how its buildings and
facilities are designed and constructed in the future to achieve greater
efficiency and reduce their energy use. The Town's goal is to set a
community and building industry standard and lead by example with
various green building projects throughout the organization.
Currently, there is a greater opportunity with the Town's existing
buildings and facilities to help reach that goal. The Town has identified
multiple projects that will allow its buildings and facilities to be
-8-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
upgraded with energy efficient technology, therefore achieving energy
and budgetary savings.
The Town's facilities are an ongoing cost and investment so there will
always be ways to continually upgrade and operate in a way that
ensures energy efficiency and cost savings.
The Town's well infrastructure consists of approximately twenty five
(25) wells, various storage tanks, and booster and pump stations.
These valuable and important pieces of infrastructure are in various
stages of their useful life and on a maintenance schedule that replaces
old equipment when efficiency starts to deteriorate. The process of
selecting the new equipment should include an energy usage and an
efficiency rating, or equivalent, to insure that the best available product
was purchased.
The Town is currently responsible for over 700 street and traffic light
fixtures. The Town has been replacing old traffic lights with light
emitting diode (LED) light bulbs and is looking to establish the use of
LED's as a Town standard. Town operated street and parking lights
currently do not use more energy efficient fixtures, such as LED's, but
there is a desire to explore any and all opportunities to upgrade our
current fixtures.
Office equipment is an ongoing expense that requires upgrades in
technology and equipment on a reoccurring basis. This constant need
to upgrade generates a lot of waste in the form of electronic waste.
Instead of throwing these items away the Town sends them to auction
where we can recover some of our costs and insure that the item is
reused. Any items that are not sold at auction are then donated to
charity, using another avenue to extend the life of the product and
minimize landfill electronic waste.
b. Current and Existing Projects
• The Marana Municipal Complex (MMC) server room was
upgraded to use the existing facility chilled water system. This
upgrade will reduce energy consumption, increase server room
equipment life, and reduce utility costs.
• An energy audit was conducted on the MMC and MOC with the
expectation that projects will be implemented as funding
becomes available.
c. Opportunities and Challenges
-9-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
There are many opportunities for the Town to improve how its buildings
and facilities operate through retrofits and other improvements. Simple
upgrades in equipment or staff behavioral changes can improve the
way the Town's buildings and facilities operate.
The Town's challenge is to keep priorities within the limits of available
financial resources. Existing facilities must be kept safe and
operational while addressing expansion needs. Site selection and
allocation of funds for new facilities should be programmed in advance
of needed services. Private developers will continue to provide the
necessary infrastructure for their development projects.
The Town's well infrastructure is in various stages of the equipment's
lifecycle. Because of this there are always opportunities to upgrade
old and outdated equipment with more energy efficient technology.
Also, as the Town grows there will be more demands for new water
infrastructure. When selecting the new infrastructure energy efficiency
should be a major requirement for the procurement process. Buying
more efficient equipment will save the Town money throughout the
equipment's entire lifecycle. The challenge facing the Town is insuring
that retrofits and new equipment have little to no effect on the utilities
rate payers.
The Town has over 700 street and parking light fixtures that can be
upgraded to more energy efficient technology such as LED's. The
challenge is to find the necessary funding to allow the Town to retrofit a
portion or all of the existing fixtures. As lights need to be replaced
based on their normal lifecycle, LED light fixtures should be considered
the best option.
The Town replaces office equipment (computers, printers etc) on a
regular basis and the efficiency of the equipment should be a major
part of the procurement process. By purchasing more energy efficient
equipment, it reduces the operating costs over the lifetime of the
equipment.
d. Strategic Direction
The Town will use grant money to complete initial retrofits and then
reinvest savings into future improvements. The Town will also use the
recently completed energy audit to make other upgrades and efficiency
improvements as staff and funding permit.
-10-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
e. Initiative and Actions
Initiative: Design and construct all Town buildings, facilities, and
equipment in a responsible and efficient manner to achieve energy and
budgetary savings
Long Term Actions:
• Set a community and building industry standard, promote Town
building and renovation efforts as Green Building demonstration
projects
Ongoing Actions:
• Encourage appropriate staff to receive training related to energy
and opportunities to receive Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) certification or the equivalent
Initiative: Evaluate opportunities for existing buildings to be retrofitted to
utilize cost effective technology to achieve a high standard of efficiency
and sustainable building
Short Term Actions:
• Develop a facilities maintenance plan that includes methods to
systematically upgrade facilities in accordance with energy audit
results and as funding becomes available
• Identify opportunities for retrofits that reduce energy
consumption to heating, cooling, and lighting systems
• Replace water use fixtures with modern low use
fixtures /technology to reduce water consumption
Ongoing Actions:
• Evaluate results from energy audit and select projects based on
available funding, cost savings, and return on investment
Initiative: Develop specific baseline information regarding current levels
of energy use
Short Term Actions:
• Determine energy use of all Town buildings, facilities and
infrastructure
• Identify water consumption of buildings, facilities, and
landscaping
-11-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
Ongoing Actions:
• Continue to monitor and track energy consumption data to
realize energy and costs savings
• Provide an annual report regarding progress and milestones
Initiative: Enhance occupant comfort, reduce deferred maintenance, and
decrease the need for capital dollars by improving the way our buildings
and facilities are operated
Short Term Actions:
• Re- Balance HVAC system to enhance occupant comfort
• Update Energy Management Control System (FMCS) to latest
version
• Ensure that key Town personnel receive proper training on how
to use EMCS to its fullest extent
Ongoing Actions:
• Install and utilize technology to enable centralized control and
programming of all energy use functions (heating, cooling,
lighting, office equipment, etc.)
• Balance environmental and economic considerations when
selecting building and replacement/renovation materials
Initiative: Insure that Town energy efficiency and conservation measures
(O &M and retrofits) are communicated with employees
Ongoing Actions:
• Review key elements of the strategy with all Departments on a
reoccurring basis. Milestones and challenges must be well
identified for employees
• Report savings and efficiency efforts on Town website and
encourage public input
Initiative: Reduce facilities energy consumption and cost by using energy
efficiency technology
Short Term Actions:
• Upgrade lamps and ballasts as needed
• Complete MMC server room cooling system upgrade
• Complete Police Department. server room cooling system
upgrade
Long Term Actions:
-12-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
• Audit and systematically upgrade all Town pumps and wells to
insure energy efficiency gains. Extent and schedule of
upgrades is dependent on available funding and return on
investment
• Systematically upgrade all lighting systems with an emphasis on
parking lot, street light, and traffic lighting to insure energy
efficiency gains. Extent and schedule of upgrades is dependent
on available funding and return on investment
Ongoing Actions:
• Identify renewable energy sources for lighting and other outdoor
power and seek to convert as funding is available
Initiative: Strive for replacement of office, computer, and non - vehicle
equipment purchases by the Town to meet a high standard of energy
efficiency
Short Term Actions:
• Evaluate the usage and savings of a desktop power
management system
• Upgrade existing servers by moving to a virtualization platform
• Move all Town computers to a desktop virtualization platform
• Evaluate our procurement process so that energy efficiency is a
criteria used in the rating and evaluation procedure.
Ongoing Actions:
• Encourage all departments to buy Energy Star qualified
products
4. Water Conservation and Management
a. Background
Water concerns are not a new topic for Marana; it was one of the main
reasons the citizens decided to incorporate as a municipality in 1977.
With growing concerns over access to water along with the growing
population, the Town takes this issue seriously.
The Town's development of a comprehensive Water Master Plan,
integrated with the Sewer Basin Study reflects the Town's commitment
to creating a sustainable community. It supports the various business
opportunities within its borders while ensuring a lifestyle which
encourages outdoor exercise, partners with environmental groups to
retain and develop environmentally sensitive areas and protects
endangered species. The Town encourages development to build in a
contiguous manner thereby minimizing the number of additional
-13-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
isolated water systems and minimizing overall infrastructure, initial
capital, and long term operational costs. Developing a comprehensive
water portfolio to provide the appropriate water resources for the
desired use maximizes effective and efficient application of limited
resources.
b. Current and Existing Projects
• Demonstration garden installed at the Marana Operations
Center (MOC) during 2010. The project scope included removal
of water consuming, installation of a timed irrigation system and
drought tolerant native plants, and creation of educational
materials.
• The Town Utilities Department is working with Tucson Electric
Power (TEP) to wheel hydro power allocation from substation to
well sites
• Tying the Twin Peaks well into the Linda Vista well system,
eliminates the use of a small well and incorporates it into a
larger and more efficient system.
• Constructing the Hartman interconnect to connect a smaller
system with a larger system to improve efficiency.
c. Opportunities and Challenges
The Town realizes there are numerous challenges when it comes to
conserving water. With these challenges come great opportunities and
Marana is in position to act on these opportunities with great results.
Some water issues need to be discussed at a regional level, others
can be discussed and addressed locally and initiated immediately.
Local projects not only benefit the Town's water system but can have
significant effects on the region's water system as well.
Tracking future water usage with an anticipated population, versus
usage with and existing population, will be a challenge. How the Town
reports future energy savings will be important for justifying efficiency
upgrades and practices.
d. Strategic Direction
There are several ways in which the Town plans on addressing these
concerns. First, all necessary water fixtures in Town buildings and
facilities will be retrofitted to reduce water consumption and promote
conservation. Next, the Town will reduce the amount of potable water
it uses for landscaping and irrigation by gaining access to non - potable
water and using only drought tolerant native plants for landscaping.
-14-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
Finally, the Town will establish water use baselines and evaluate costs
for all buildings and facilities. This data will ensure that retrofit and
conservation efforts are working and remain effective.
e. Initiative and Actions
Initiative: Retrofit existing Town buildings and facilities in a cost effective
manner to reduce water use and promote conservation
Short Term Actions:
• Internal staff will audit all interior and exterior water fixtures and
devices. Identify type, water use, age, performance and
condition
• Identify cost and scope to incorporate xeriscape landscape
design at the MMC
Ongoing Actions:
• All new fixtures and devices must be EPA WaterSense
approved or the equivalent
• Develop a maintenance plan and incorporate it into facility
staff's annual work calendar
Initiative: Reduce the amount of potable water used for landscape
irrigation at Town facilities and along public roadways
Short Term Actions:
• Systematically stop irrigating landscaping in all areas with
drought tolerant vegetation
Long Term Actions:
• Gain access to non - potable water resources
Ongoing Actions:
• Roadway landscaping must be able to survive without irrigation.
Irrigation may be enabled for an establishment period
• Plant species that are indigenous to the local area must be
utilized when landscaping
• Require turf only be used as a functional landscape, such as
play areas and ball fields. Turf should not be used for purely
aesthetic purposes
Initiative: Track water consumption and utility cost for each Town facility
and use data to evaluate and track the efficiency of each facility
Short Term Actions:
-15-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
• Establish water use benchmarks for all Town facilities to allow
for measureable results on conservation measures
• Establish and identify water infrastructure meter use and
location to accurately monitor consumption.
Ongoing Actions:
• Use Energy Star Portfolio Manager to track water use and verify
savings from efficiency projects
5. Renewable Resources
a. Background
The Town's use of renewable resources has been limited due to a lack
of funding. Alternative funding sources and programs have recently
been established to reduce and in some cases eliminate the large
amount of capital needed to fund and maintain renewable resources
like solar power.
Marana recognizes the need to conserve energy and increase our use
of renewable energy sources. As a first step, the Town is improving
energy efficiency of Town buildings and Town operations and plans to
develop a solar plan detailing what solar options, if any, Town buildings
and facilities currently have.
b. Current and Existing Projects
• Solar technology for street lights and irrigation was used along
recently completed Airport Road, East of the Marana Regional
Airport.
• Installed a solar flashing light for new stop sign at Emigh and
Sandario intersection
c. Opportunities and Challenges
One of the biggest challenges facing the Town and its renewable
energy goals is the upfront cost. Recently, the State of Arizona passed
a law stating that schools and local governments could enter into solar
power purchase agreements (SPPA) with solar providers. SPPA's
allow a solar provider to install panels at no up front cost to the
organization and in return the organization agrees to purchase power
from the panels at a set rate for a period of time, usually around twenty
years.
The Town has a limited number of structures and property available for
solar and will need to quantify the amount of electricity being
-16-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
generated from the photovoltaic (PV) system to determine if
replacement is justified. Also, the Town will need to determine which
structures are capable of supporting the additional weight load of a PV
system and how much.
d. Strategic Direction
Marana plans to promote and protect the economic, environmental,
and social health of the community through the responsible use and
development of energy. The Town will establish and implement
policies and practices that improve the sustainability of Marana,
promote and support the efficient use of existing energy resources,
and encourage greater use of renewable energy sources.
e. Initiative and Actions
Initiative: Establish Marana as a municipality that encourages and utilizes
renewable resources
Short Term Actions:
• Develop a specific solar plan for Town facilities
Long Term Actions:
• Work with public and private partners to identify suitable sites
for renewable energy facilities
• Explore opportunities to coordinate with other large power users
to maximize the use of renewable energy and expand the
market for renewable energy alternatives in the community
Ongoing Actions:
• Review /develop fee structure for renewable energy permits
• Identify grant opportunities and special funding sources to help
offset the cost of providing renewable energy to Town facilities
6. Solid Waste Reduction
a. Background
Municipal waste is an area where the Town can greatly reduce the
amount it creates while benefiting from the associated cost reductions.
The Town's preferred approach to waste management is waste
prevention because waste that doesn't get created has no associated
cost. The MMC (the Town's largest facility) and the Parks and Rec
building currently recycle while other buildings do not.
-17-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
The facilities and fleet management department currently recycle
numerous items from their day -to -day operations. This includes but is
not limited to engine oil, brake rotors, light bulbs batteries, road signs,
used tires, and they reuse refrigerant for the A/C units.
b. Current and Existing Projects
• The Town has an internal recycling program where recycle and
non - recyclable baskets are located at many employee desks.
Additional recycling containers are located throughout the MMC.
• The Town recycles metals (steel, copper, aluminum, and brass)
from the sign shop.
• Recycle items from operation and maintenance activities
• The Town auctions off old computer equipment and if it is not
sold then it is donated.
c. Opportunities and Challenges
The biggest challenge facing the Town in regards to waste reduction is
education. Employees need to be educated on what is acceptable to
recycle, the amount of waste the Town produces, and the waste
disposal cost each year. There are many opportunities for Town
employees to reduce their waste and the cost it takes to dispose of it
There are several opportunities for the Town to improve its existing
recycling efforts while expanding the program to other areas. The
Town will seek any and all opportunities to reduce the amount of waste
it produces by expanding on the internal recycling program already in
place to include more non - traditional items such as electronics,
batteries, ink cartridges, and light bulbs. The Town will also look to
expand its recycling efforts at Town operated parks, other Town
buildings, and Town sponsored organized events such as Founders
Day.
d. Strategic Direction
Purchasing items with recycled content, choosing reusable containers
over single -use items, and selecting products that last longer are just
some of the ways we can reduce waste. The Town is committed to
reducing waste, reducing the use of disposable products, and
improving and expanding its recycling program.
To maintain and track the effectiveness of our waste reduction efforts,
the Town will establish baselines for waste and recycling materials at
all Town facilities.
-18-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
e. Initiative and Actions
Initiative: Reduce the total amount of municipal waste produced
Short Term Actions:
• Determine levels of paper use (Printer and Copy Paper)
• Develop comprehensive recycling programs managing
recyclables like paper, plastic, aluminum cans, and more non-
traditional items like electronics waste, batteries and light bulbs
• Establish baseline for waste and recyclable materials at all
Town facilities to allow for measurable results
• Expand recycling in Town - operated parks
• Make all Town printers, where appropriate, print only double
sided
• Develop a mulching program to convert landscape materials
harvested as part of routine maintenance into mulch for Town
and public use. Seek partners (Non - profits, Nurseries, Marana
Farm) for mulching location and use
Ongoing Actions:
• Community events planned or financed by the Town should
minimize production of landfill waste by incorporating recyclable
products and practices. The objective is to reduce the amount
of waste sent to landfills
• Ensure that every Marana employee can participate in the
Town's recycling efforts by making recycling bins available
• Create and maintain an internal recycling marketing campaign
to encourage and remind Town staff to recycle
• Salvage, donate, or recycle all old office equipment (furniture,
computers, appliances, etc.)
7. Community Outreach
a. Background
Marana has a number of existing resources that it uses to
communicate information to its citizens and business community. The
Town can use these resources to promote and educate the public in
regards to the Town's energy and cost saving efforts. Leading by
example, and establishing a community wide education program using
existing resources will not only work to engage the community but will
-19-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
make it easier to proceed with energy efficient and conservation
projects and allocate funding sources as they become available.
b. Current and Existing Projects
• Recycling information brochures available at Town buildings
• Energy efficiency demonstration project located at MOC
c. Opportunities and Challenges
The Town has several opportunities to showcase its progress and
goals through the existing advisory commissions. Existing
commissions include affordable housing, business and economic
development, parks and recreation, police, and public utilities and are
directly related to the initiatives and goals outlined in this strategy.
Town staff will post annual energy and cost savings reports realized
through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy. Sharing the
benefits and effectiveness of the EECS with the entire community will
demonstrate the Town's commitment to cost savings and a cleaner
environment.
The Town can also reach out to the business community by developing
a Green Building Program. This action represents another step in
establishing a comprehensive green \sustainable community. Inviting
the business community to participate in a program that will gather
recognition, economic benefits to the community, and allow the Town
to gauge community interest and potential participation levels in a
standard adopted program. This will help establish an identity as a
progressive, environmentally aware community. It will also assist our
businesses with the integration of environmental responsibility into
their daily operations if they choose to participate.
d. Strategic Direction
The Town will foster an ethic of conservation and stewardship
throughout the community by working in partnership with individuals,
schools, businesses, community -based groups, and others to actively
create, sponsor, and promote sustainability awareness and education
programs.
This will be done through the Town website, various community
meetings, a Green Building Program, and coordination with the local
business community.
-20-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
e. Initiative and Actions
Initiative: Encourage the development community (residential and
commercial) to build in a sustainable manner
Short Term Actions:
• Research and develop policies for implementation and
incentives to build in a sustainable manner
• Create recognition opportunities to show -case developers who
incorporate innovative and sustainable landscaping designs into
projects.
• Develop a Green Building Program
• Review \study other jurisdictions' green building programs for
best practices
• Create a Green \Sustainability Team that will focus on grant
research and writing, stakeholder outreach, program research,
incentive investigation, and training
• Meet with stakeholders to discuss best practices and desired
outcomes
• Review codes to include native plant and low -water usage
landscape requirements
• Review and propose new codes and /or amendments for water
conservation
Long Term Actions:
• Review and propose codes and ordinances that require
sustainability plans for residential, commercial and industrial
land uses
Ongoing Actions:
• Review existing building codes for energy efficiency standards
for new residential and commercial buildings, identify possible
modifications to encourage use of energy efficient lighting,
insulation, windows, and other elements and change where
possible
• Encourage water conservation practices and technologies in all
new commercial and residential construction including rainwater
harvesting, grey water systems, "smart" irrigation and controls,
drip irrigation, flow meters, master valves, water audits,
xeriscaping, and hydro- zoning
-21-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48
• Continue to analyze Building and Land Development Codes to
account for new innovations in "green building" and
sustainability, as appropriate
Initiative: Use Town of Marana building and facility upgrades as an
opportunity to educate local employees and employers on energy efficient
products and practices
Short Term Actions:
• Use the demonstration project to show energy and costs
savings
Ongoing Actions:
• Seek opportunities to educate Marana employees and citizens
on the Town's energy efficient upgrade activities
8. Conclusion
Searching for ways to reduce energy demand will not only reduce our
reliance upon non - renewable energy resources but will also make the
Town more ecologically and economically viable. Placing an emphasis
upon the development and use of sustainable and renewable energy
sources such as solar, wind, and biomass, is crucial in addressing the
global goals of reducing or minimizing the environmental degradation
that typically results from the current methods of power generation.
Marana's efforts to establish energy efficiency and conservation
practices are to encourage efficient energy consumption, adopt
voluntary incentive based programs, create and support effective
energy conservation measures, assess impact of our community's
increased costs of conventional energy, and establish green local
standards.
This strategy is intended to be an adaptive plan that will be responsive
to new ideas, technologies, partnerships, and shifts in available
resources. To insure accountability, a yearly report will be developed
to indicate performance. Major updates will be conducted at a
minimum every five years, with smaller adjustments occurring as
needed, based on the results of an ongoing monitoring and evaluation
program.
-22-
Exhibit A to Marana Resolution No. 2011 -48