Around the Arch Blog

On November 2, 2009 the first hole was dug at the Stead Wastewater Treatment Plant to prepare the base for the installation of the 15kW Proven wind turbine. Work should be completed in the next month or so.

The 30 kW photovoltaic array on Downtown Parking Gallery has been completed. All work is done and we are just waiting for NV Energy to commission the system. The system will provide all power for Nevada EcoNet and most of the West Street market.

You can read more about his and other energy projects on the Green pages of www.cityofreno.com.

You can see the PowerPoint that was given to the Reno City Council in support of the energy projects. It includes summary of work, costs, and environemntal benefits.

City of Reno Energy Initative 2009

The following link will give you a one page summary on the City of Reno Energy Projects as approved by the Reno City Council on September 23, 2009, including costs and environmental benefits.

City of Reno Energy Projects

Energy Projects Phase I Sept 2009

The City of Reno Phase 1 Energy projects are scheduled for completion in April of 2010. To see detail on when the individual projects are happening, check out this PDF file: Energy Projects Phase I Sept 2009

Big news for those of us that care about the environment, which should include everyone since we all share this planet.

Thanks to the Reno City Council appproval, dozens of projects will be underway that will create jobs, reduce the City’s energy use, and move towards more renewable forms of energy, without using money from the City’s general fund. I say that’s a positive!

So how can this be that money from taxpayers isn’t going to be used? Good question. Funding comes from rebates, federal grants, and bonds paid by energy savings.  The projects provide many environmental benefits plus help in getting Reno recognized as a city “going green.” I must say I always love when my city is positively recognized.  

Ok, so here are some details that will explain the specifics:

The Reno City Council approved a contract with APS Energy Services that provides for furnishing and installing improvements to achieve energy savings. Financing for the projects will be through guaranteed energy savings, Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREB’s), Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG), Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECB), Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds (RZED), NV Energy Solar Generations Rebate, and NV Energy SureBet Rebates.

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The City Council has made a “green” sustainable community a priority. Employees are helping to curb energy costs at Reno City Hall by turning off lights and computers, and living with other energy conservation measures.

People can get firewood for $75 per cord this month from Reno’s Urban Forestry Division. The wood is from trees and limbs cut by Urban Forestry throughout the year. The firewood is mixed hardwood species with the majority consisting of elm, cottonwood, and silver maple.

The wood yard located at 190 Telegraph is open from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for wood cutting on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the month.

Customers must first sign a waiver of liability and pay in advance at the Park Maintenance Office, 2055 Idlewild Drive. Office hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday – Friday, excluding holidays. Payment can be made by cash or check only.

Please call Park Maintenance at (775) 334-2270 for more information.

Ok, so I’m not an expert in “green” things but I like to think that I’m doing my best to be more educated in bettering the environment. By improving my knowledge, I really try to take special note of local happenings, global improvements, and learning from experts. One person I always refer to and ask a zillion questions is Jason Geddes. Jason is our Environmental Services Administrator for the City of Reno. He literally is the “green” guru in our area amongst many other things he does for our community. Jason does a great job of explaining things to me or as I refer to it as “dumbing it down for me.” Last week when the Reno City Council approved an energy audit and contract to install energy efficient projects, I immediately went to him to better understand what it meant. After some explanation, I realized just how great this step was for the community. By the Reno City Council approving the contract and audit, the City of Reno is now able to move forward with spending federal stimulus monies.

The energy audit that was performed by APS Energy Services recommended numerous renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. The recommended projects are gong to be completed for Phase I while Phase II projects will be present to City Council in late summer or fall. The projects that were included in Phase I were chosen due to the projects having a short payback timeframe or an operational need.

The Phase I projects include energy efficiency lighting projects at the Downtown Parking Gallery, Reno Arch, Vaughn Middle School ball field, and RPD Evidence Locker; energy efficiency air handling improvements at Fire Station 7; renewable wind installations at City Hall, Rosewood Lakes, Stead Wastewater Treatment Facility, and Downtown Parking Gallery.

Phase I includes solar and wind projects eligible for low interest financing through Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs) as well as SolarGenerations and WindGenerations rebates sponsored by NV Energy. Funding is also available through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) administered through the US Department of Energy. Annual energy savings from the approved projects will be used to satisfy the City’s obligation on the CREBs. The City of Reno is the first city to issue and use CREBs in Nevada. Yes, you read that right – the first!

The total cost for energy efficiency projects is $4,059,051. The 15 year debt service will be paid through annual energy savings. How great is that?

At the May 13 Reno City Council meeting the Council gave final approval to authorize issuance of Clean & Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBS). The CREBs were authorized to support installation of solar photovoltaic projects at City of Reno sites in support of the Green Council Priority. The CREBs are a 15 year, zero interest loan that will be used to finance the projects. Annual bond payments are made through a combination of energy savings and energy generated from the solar photovoltaic systems. The City of Reno will be the first municipality in northern Nevada to utilize CREBs.