Woodbury City Hall Earns EPA Award

The Woodbury City Council on Wednesday accepted an award from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency for the energy efficiency of .

Woodbury renovated and expanded City Hall in 2007. With it came several energy-saving features, including a geothermal heating and cooling system, energy-efficient lighting and mechanical systems, a “green” roof and good use of daylight via the bay of windows on one side of the building, said Jennifer McLoughlin, a part-time sustainability specialist with the city who also works with Woodbury’s Environmental Advisory Commission.

The city became an ENERGY STAR Partner in 2010, and secured the EPA award by scoring above 75 on the agency’s 1-100 energy performance scale. McLoughlin said facilities that earn the award use 35 percent less energy and generate 35 percent fewer greenhouse gases than similar buildings.

Councilman Paul Rebholz, serving as mayor pro tem as Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens was absent, accepted the award on behalf of the city. He lauded former Woodbury Councilman Peter Rekow for his work to make City Hall energy efficient, and also thanked staff for raising the city’s profile in that regard.

Rekow served on the council from 2001-04 and was known for his passion for energy conservation and sustainability. He chaired the city’s Sustainability Committee, which functioned as a subcommittee of Woodbury’s Environmental Advisory Commission from 2007-09.

On another “green” note, the city is also considering on the roof of the public safety building.

For more information on some of the city’s initiatives, click here.