July 27, 2009
Contact: Anne Marie Green
Roanoke County General Services Director
Office: 540-387-6100
agreen@RoanokeCountyVA.gov
Roanoke County to Maximize Energy Efficiency of its Buildings
Improvements are Part of the County’s Overall Environmental Initiatives
Roanoke County is in the process of renovating county buildings as part of its overall initiative to improve energy efficiency. The renovations will be funded through utility cost savings. The county also plans to use $300,000 of federal stimulus money to fund additional improvements.
Roanoke County selected Trane to perform a detailed study of its facilities, which began last month. After an in-depth building analysis, Trane will develop a plan to update the buildings’ comfort, lighting, and water systems while adding a greater level of control to all of its building systems. The renovations will result in significant improvements to 25 county facilities including fire stations, community centers, and libraries. “We’re thrilled to bring the necessary analysis and improvements to these facilities to improve comfort and save money,” said Ross Atherton, Trane’s Solutions leader for Virginia.
Reducing energy consumption has been a priority for the county for the past eight years. In 2001, the county implemented a system of environmental management using ISO 14001 guidelines to research and implement ways to reduce energy consumption and bills. ISO 14001 is an international standard of environmental operation. The work with Trane will complement the work that is already in place.
In 2007, Roanoke County joined Local Governments for Sustainability, also known as ICLEI. As part of its commitment to ICLEI, the county has set a goal for itself to stop increasing carbon emissions by 2012 and to then reduce the county’s carbon emissions by three percent every year thereafter until 2020 as Milestone 2 of the ICLEI program.
Roanoke County has also shown its commitment to the environment through its capital projects. The Western Virginia Regional Jail is LEED certified, and the new fleet service center and multigenerational recreation center (Green Ridge Recreation Center) will also receive certification. “I am proud of our efforts to reduce energy consumption through the programs and projects we have in place and look forward to making our existing buildings even more energy efficient,” said Clay Goodman, Roanoke County Administrator.
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For more information about Trane, you may contact:
Ross Atherton at (540) 563-2828
