Energy Efficiency & Conservation
There are a variety of business operations and maintenance actions that employers can take to help improve air quality, including energy efficiency and conservation measures. Many of these projects are easy to implement:
- Turn off: lights, computers, and office equipment when you leave the room or at the end of the day.
- Make the switch: to high-efficiency or compact fluorescent light bulbs and Energy Star rated products, and to an electric provider using renewable energy.
Texas Renewable Energy Industries Assoc.
- The 3 “Rs”: Reduce, reuse, recycle—products used and products that are purchased.
- Maintain: check for drafts in doorways or windows and have the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system inspected regularly.
Green Building Codes
The term “green building” has evolved over the last few decades from a specialized interest into a mainstream concept. Generally speaking, green building is the practice of maximizing resource conservation/efficiency, environmental friendliness, sustainability, and human health through site design, building construction techniques, materials selection, facility operation, and maintenance.
- Green buildings operate 8-20% more efficiently
- Average 10% operational savings for owner
- Forward costs 0-5% higher depending on project
- Payback period 0-3 years depending on project
U.S. Green Building Council North Texas Chapter
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development leverages the land use-transportation relationship to improve mobility, enhance air quality, support economic growth, and ensure the financial stability of the transportation system. By providing planning support for a diverse range of mobility options, such as rail, auto, bike, transit, and walking, sustainable development helps local governments present a range of development opportunities to the private sector.
Construction Equipment Policy
Construction equipment produces about 40 tons per day, or 10 percent, of ozone-causing NOx emissions in North Texas. However, little has been done in the past to help curb these emissions. Federal regulations of these engines began in the 1990s but the long life span of construction equipment means that fleet turnover is slow.
Public agencies can encourage the use of cleaner equipment and efficient operations by establishing contract specifications, preferences, or incentives. Besides helping to improve air quality, entities may benefit from grant money (through NCTCOG and other sources) to help offset the costs of new equipment or retrofits.
Clean Vehicles/Fleets
Replace engines through the Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP) administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This program provides financial incentives for the purchase of newer, cleaner vehicles, engines, retrofits, and fuels.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality