Energy Saving Projects Initiative

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The need for energy improvements exists throughout a built infrastructure. Unfortunately, these improvements are not made due to lack of funds. Henrico’s Departments of General Services and Finance realized that budget restrictions curtail funding for energy infrastructure improvements. To find an on-going and renewable means to pay for energy related facilities improvements, Finance and General Services looked inward for funding sources. Their ultimate goal was to establish a fund for the Energy and Sustainability Program that would re-fund itself through savings generated. The major roadblock to success was the initial funding. It was here that teaming allowed the discovery of a solution. By capturing funds allocated, but not spent on assigned projects, Finance aggregated $271,763.19 and made it available to Energy and Sustainability on October 1, 2014. These funds were designated for energy improvement projects that had a better than four year “Return on Investment”. By doing so, the savings would be used for additional energy projects.