County to Help Track Energy Use

Do you know how much energy you use, or what your carbon footprint is?

Fairfax County is preparing plans to help people track their energy use, save energy, cut costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The county is using $242,000 from a $30.4 million federal grant so that "energy consumption will be a conscious decision," said Susan Hafeli, a Utility Analyst for Fairfax County's Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection.

Hafeli spoke at a recent presentation to the Fairfax Environmental Network, a network of individuals and agencies with interests in protecting the environment. 

"Virginia's electricity costs are low compared to many other states," Hafeli noted, "so this will make it harder to sell."

County staff will soon issue a request for proposals (RFP) to design the project.  It could involve installing "smart meters," for example, that record the amount of electricity used and when. 

"It makes energy use more visible," Hafeli said.

"We hope people will begin to see their real energy costs," added Mark Thomas, aide to Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova.  "Some people are pouring energy into the atmosphere and most don't even realize it."

They hope the program will be operational next year.

The County seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions two percent a year. Officials estimate that the County is responsible for only four percent of total emissions county-wide. They've hired George Mason University experts to audit emissions from non-county sources.

Fairfax County received $30.4 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and has used some of the funds to install more energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.  The Gum Springs Community Center in Mount Vernon, for example, received new HVAC units.  Mount Vernon's Noman Cole Pollution Control Plant got more efficient lighting. 

Many scientists say that human activities are changing the planet's climate. Concentrations of carbon dioxide and other gases trap energy in the atmosphere creating a "greenhouse effect" that warms the Earth.  The past decade has been the warmest on record.  A primary greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide, resulting from burning coal and petroleum.  Around half of northern Virginia's electricity is coal-powered.

Learn more about the county's "Cool Counties" program on the Fairfax County government website.