Milwaukee County Office of Sustainability Newsletter - Fall 2024 |
In this Issue:
- Staff Update
- Climate Action 2050 Planning Update
- Solar Energy Feasibility Assessment
- Sustainable Design Guidelines
- Other Major Initiatives
- Department's Climate Action
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The Office of Sustainability is pleased to announce that Grant Helle has been promoted to Director of Sustainability, effective in October 2024. Previously our Energy Program Manager, Grant has spent the past two years spearheading the Lighting Jobs Program and helping to implement energy efficiency practices county-wide. In his new role, Grant will lead sustainability and climate action planning efforts in support of Milwaukee County’s commitment to achieving carbon neutral operations by 2050.
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Climate Action 2050 Planning Update |
With the recent development and informational Board report of the Milwaukee County Climate Action Strategic Plan (see File No. 24-762), the Office of Sustainability (OS) is now further collaborating with all county departments to develop the detailed plans and road map to decarbonization by 2050 (the ‘CA50 Plan’). The CA50 Plan will take individual department climate action strategies and turn them into concrete, actionable plans for emissions reduction. Consulting firm McKinstry is assisting with this major planning effort. With only 25 years to go, the time to advance this transition is now!
Sneak Peak: Proposed climate action strategies for each department fall within one or more of the following impact categories: Facilities, Fleet, Resilience, Community, and all align with Milwaukee County’s Vision to become the healthiest county in Wisconsin by achieving racial equity. |
Solar Energy Feasibility Assessment |
With help from consulting firm McKinstry, The Office of Sustainability (OS) recently completed a county-wide assessment of solar energy feasibility. The assessment took a broad look at county facilities and properties, to assess the potential for solar energy installations. OS shared an informational Board report in September 2024 with recommendations on a solar energy strategy. See File No. 24-769 for the full report.
A few highlights include:
- 22 proposed systems across 17 Milwaukee County sites.
- Cumulative proposed systems' size of 11.196 MWdc.
- Proposed system's carbon offset estimated at 214,519 MTCO2e.
- Estimated impact from Inflation Reduction Act Direct Pay of at least 25.5% per proposed system.
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Sustainable Design Guidelines |
The Office of Sustainability (OS) is excited to announce that Milwaukee County is in the process of developing comprehensive Sustainable Design Guidelines. These guidelines will be applicable to all new construction and renovation projects within the county, aiming to promote environmentally responsible and resource-efficient practices. This highly collaborative effort, led by OS, also includes experts from consulting firms AECOM and HGA Engineers. Participation from all Milwaukee County departments and county facility professionals will be crucial to ensure that these guidelines are both practical and impactful. Upon completion, the guidelines will include a vision and goals for how to deliver sustainable design criteria that are geared towards the future, and also meet regulatory compliance and sustainability certifications. |
An American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded project; the Lighting Jobs Program has created career pathways for local high school youth while improving the energy efficiency of Milwaukee County buildings. Kicked-off in January 2024, this ongoing program has successfully employed four high school students who have gained valuable on the job training. In addition, it is estimated that the LED lighting upgrades at the first six facilities will decrease building energy usage by an average of 34%, representing 454,165 kWh of electrical energy yearly. Read more about this project’s impacts here! |
Left to right: Nikola Milosevic, County Executive David Crowley, Justin Rodriguez Acevedo. |
Energy Efficiency is Job #1 |
In an effort to combat rising energy usage and costs at the Courthouse Complex, the Office of Sustainability (OS) has convened an ‘E-SWAT’ team consisting of facilities and finance professionals from across the Department of Administrative Services. This team meets regularly with the goal of identifying and immediately implementing energy and cost savings measures. OS plans to replicate this successful team and process at additional facilities and departments across Milwaukee County. |
Strategic Plan to Eliminate Fossil Fuel Use |
Milwaukee County’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 will require much strategic decision making. One of these key areas is the elimination of fossil fuel use across our facilities portfolio. The Office of Sustainability, with support from consulting firm HGA Engineers, is already making progress on this front. Currently being developed, a ‘Deep Energy Retrofit Plan’ will provide options and analysis for Milwaukee County to achieve net zero by 2050 at the Courthouse Complex existing facilities in downtown Milwaukee. |
Department's Climate Action |
Climate action is contagious and other departments are sourcing funds and taking action as well! Examples of this include efficient equipment replacement, lighting retrofits, electric vehicle pilot testing, resiliency studies, green infrastructure, reforestation and others. The Office of Sustainability looks forward to continuing to lead climate action projects, as well as support departments in their own actions to combat climate change impacts! |
Looking to Connect?
Reach out to our office today!
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Milwaukee County Sustainability 901 North 9th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233 Unsubscribe |
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