State and Local Climate and Energy Program
City Green: The District
Columbia, Missouri
Federal Funding: $285,547
Project Timeline: February 2011 – December 2012
Project Summary
Reducing Energy Use in Existing Downtown Buildings
The City of Columbia is launching the City Green initiative to improve energy performance in Columbia's downtown area, known as The District, and remove barriers to enable greenhouse gas measurement. Energy reduction measures adopted through the project will improve economic competitiveness, dedication to community values, and provide greater access to energy and greenhouse gas reduction resources.
Over the course of the project, the City will use EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Software to establish building baseline energy consumption and track building energy consumption over time. Approximately 70 buildings selected for the project will undergo energy audits to identify potential energy savings measures. Those measures that are implemented will be logged, and the savings from those measures will be tracked over time.
The City will also work closely with the Special Business District, a collective of downtown business and property owners, to incorporate stakeholder needs. Project managers will also maintain outreach efforts throughout the project period to educate residents and tenants in The District about the importance of reducing energy consumption by using the information and data collected about the project's energy improvements. The City will update Columbians about the project through forums, videos, bill inserts, the City web site, and the City Channel TV, which will broadcast energy audit procedures and project success stories.
The City Green initiative will enable a better understanding of the strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from local government operations and community-based programs by raising awareness, showcasing how changes can be implemented, and documenting the impacts of those changes.
Community Characteristics
| Population: | 98,831 |
|---|---|
| Area: | 53 square miles |
| Government Type: | City |
| Community Type: | Small Urban |
| Median Household Income: | $41,381 |
Program Results/Estimated Results
| Expected GHG Reductions: | 448 metric tons CO2e annually |
|---|---|
| Expected Electricity Reductions: | 470,000 kWh annually |
| Expected Buildings Improved: | 20 buildings |
| Expected Buildings Audited: | 70 buildings |
| Expected Buildings to Track Energy Use: | 100 buildings |
