Energy Reduction & Cost Saving Initiative

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

Cook County as well as many other Counties throughout the nation is faced with tough economic times and budget constraints. With rising energy costs and reduced funding available, the Director of the Department of Facilities Management identified the need to assist Cook County and its constituents with balancing this difficult equation while continuing to provide quality service. In previous years (2009, 2010 and 2011) the Department of Facilities Management has participated in a voluntary electrical curtailment program during summer peak electrical demand times. The result of this curtailment program has resulted in a total reimbursement to Cook County and its constituents of $457,000.00. In March 2011, the Department implemented an internal 6-month energy saving competition between buildings, WATTAGE WARS. Each facility was required to reduce overall energy usage by 4% and reduce monthly peak demand by at least 10% from 2010. Energy cost saving measures were implemented by in-house staff which resulted in over $1,000,000.00 in savings to Cook County and its constituents. While the competition has ended, additional cost saving measures continue to be implemented and for the previous 9 month period the total dollars saved are in excess $1,700,000.00.