By Amy Wells
In 2008, Mayor David Del Vecchio signed onto the US Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement. Over 985 mayors throughout the nation, and 100 NJ mayors, have committed to incorporating the agreement’s 12 sustainable practices in their local operations and communities. The first action involves taking an inventory of global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, setting reduction targets and creating an action plan to obtain the goal.
LEC members have compiled and analyzed local energy use information. On a community level, the Lambertville area creates over 34,474 tons of CO2 per year just from the consumption of 41,576,807 KWH of electricity and 1,237,241 CCFS of natural gas. While 90 percent of the energy accounts are within the residential sector, commercial and municipal accounts are responsible for 57 percent of the total emissions.
The total energy consumption (electric, natural gas, heating oil) at our five municipal buildings (Free Library, City Hall, Police Department, Justice Complex and the Public Works) secrete a total of 207 tons of CO2 annually. Not surprising, the highest volume of CO2 is generated by the Public Library, which emits 30.7 percent or 63 tons of the total GHGs produced by our municipal buildings. Keep in mind the building is heated and lighted for public use during both day and evening hours.
The remaining buildings include: City Hall at 59 tons (28.5 percent), Police Department at 35 tons (16.9 percent), Justice Complex at 26 tons (12.5 percent) and the Public Works building at 24 tons or 11.4 percent of the total emissions from energy used to operate our municipal buildings. The sewerage facility and the public school were not included as they are not considered municipal accounts.
During 2007, municipal vehicles consumed 15,625 gallons of gasoline, resulting in the discharge of 153 tons of CO2 along our public streets and neighborhoods. Diesel fuel consumption totaled 8,302 gallons adding an additional 93 tons of CO2 and proving our municipal fleets are responsible for more than 256 tons, or 54 percent, of all municipal emissions.
At this point, we have acquired the baseline energy numbers, calculated the 7 percent reduction rate and set a goal to reduce CO2 production from municipal operations from 453 tons per year to 421 tons per year. The community goal is to reduce total emissions from electricity and natural gas by 2,413 tons per year. The next steps will involve obtaining grants and/or services to identify the most effective and cost efficient ways to reach these goals.
The Lambertville Environmental Commission is dedicated to creating environmental awareness, understanding, and appreciation in order to protect and sustain our city’s natural resources. Our mission is to vigorously advocate for the long-term protection of Lambertville’s natural resources and to be an environmental education source for all of its citizens.
LEC meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Justice Complex at 25 S. Union St. and the public is welcome to attend. For more information send us an e-mail at [email protected].
Amy Wells is a member of the Lambertville Environmental Commission.
