Energy Efficiency Day In Des Moines: Mayor Urges Support For City's Clean Energy Goals

Press release from the City of Des Moines:

October 7, 2020

DES MOINES, IOWA – Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020 –Mayor Frank Cownie has proclaimed Wednesday, Oct. 7 as Energy Efficiency Day in Des Moines and urged all residents to support the City’s clean energy goals and current sustainability initiatives. Des Moines is working toward a 28 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement.

“Des Moines has made it a priority to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency, and our efforts serve as a model of success throughout the rest of the United States,” said Mayor Cownie. “We have but one planet and it’s vital all of us do what we can to protect it.”

City buildings now use three percent less energy today than in 2016, when energy use data first started being benchmarked. That figure is consistent with the energy savings realized by other cities with established benchmarking programs.

Since Des Moines implemented its Energy and Water Benchmarking program in 2019, the City has received 382 benchmarking reports, representing 73 percent of private properties required to report. This exceeds the results realized in many other Midwest cities. This is the first step in helping existing buildings reduce energy and water use. The City has also required energy efficiency in new economic development projects.

Additionally, the City’s Facilities Department has recently completed low cost and no cost energy efficiency improvements across a number of buildings including City Hall and the Argonne Armory. These improvements have an anticipated annual savings of nearly $20,000 with estimated incentives worth $34,000.

The City’s newest project, Phase 2 of the Municipal Service Center, will be LEED certified and, as a result, will have systems that optimize energy performance, enhance occupant comfort, and improve air quality. Special features include a solar array that will produce up to 25 percent of the building’s energy use and mechanical systems that perform 40 percent better than current industry standards.

“From our existing buildings to those on the drawing board, the City of Des Moines is making a significant commitment to pursue innovative energy efficiency and sustainability solutions for both today and the city of tomorrow,” said Sustainability Program Manager Jeremy Caron.

This press release was produced by the City of Des Moines. The views expressed here are the author’s own.