Reducing energy consumption, costs in more than 700 state-owned buildings – New Hampshire Bulletin

The State of New Hampshire’s Efforts to Reduce Energy Consumption and Costs in State Buildings

The State of New Hampshire owns and operates more than 700 buildings. That number doesn’t include space it leases, like its retail liquor stores, offices, and pump stations and wastewater treatment plants. In fiscal year 2022, the state government spent more than $18.4 million on its own energy costs.

Partnership to Promote Energy Reduction and Efficiency

Building on an effort that’s been ongoing since 2005, two state agencies will partner to reduce energy consumption and costs in state buildings utilizing federal funds, as approved by the Executive Council this week.

The Department of Energy and Department of Administrative Services have entered into a memorandum of understanding to use up to $180,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program to promote energy reduction, responsible energy behavior, and energy efficiency strategies in state facilities through education, outreach programs, and building improvements.

Achievements in Energy Consumption Reduction

Between fiscal years 2005 and 2022, state buildings avoided more than $50 million in energy costs because of specific energy consumption reduction targets, according to the Department of Administrative Services’ annual state energy report. As of last year, through its owned and leased buildings and transportation fleet, the state had reduced its fossil-fuel energy-use intensity by 17.3 percent since 2005.

But New Hampshire is “leaving valuable savings on the table,” the report warned, noting state agencies had identified more than $30 million in potential energy-saving projects.

“If agencies had expanded access to energy audits, retro-commissioning, energy saving performance contracts, and other tools to gather information about their buildings, significantly more cost-saving measures would be uncovered,” the report stated. 

Utilization of Federal Funds for Energy Efficiency

According to documents submitted to the Executive Council, the newly approved federal funds can be used for a wide variety of initiatives, such as:

1. Building automation
2. Sub-metering of energy or water consumption to provide detailed usage and cost data
3. Energy audits
4. Insulation, energy efficient lighting, HVAC upgrades, and weather sealing

The departments can also host energy-related training sessions for state employees, aid in greenhouse gas reduction for the state’s passenger vehicle fleet, or use the money toward the state’s annual energy conference that gives state employees and legislators the opportunity to see energy initiatives in action and learn more about helping the state achieve its goals.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action

The article discusses the state of New Hampshire’s efforts to reduce energy consumption and costs in state buildings. These efforts align with SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. By promoting energy reduction, responsible energy behavior, and energy efficiency strategies, the state is contributing to SDG 7.

The article also mentions that the state has reduced its fossil-fuel energy-use intensity by 17.3 percent since 2005. This reduction in energy use aligns with SDG 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Furthermore, by investing in energy-saving projects and promoting energy efficiency, the state is taking action to mitigate climate change, which is a key objective of SDG 13.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
• SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

The article does not explicitly mention the specific targets under the SDGs. However, based on the content, we can infer that the state’s efforts align with the targets mentioned above. By reducing energy consumption and costs in state buildings, the state is working towards improving energy efficiency (SDG 7.3) and reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities (SDG 11.6). Additionally, by promoting energy reduction and responsible energy behavior, the state is integrating climate change measures into its policies and strategies (SDG 13.2).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Energy consumption reduction targets
• Fossil-fuel energy-use intensity reduction
• Cost savings from energy-saving projects

The article mentions that state buildings have avoided more than $50 million in energy costs due to specific energy consumption reduction targets. This indicates that energy consumption reduction targets are being set and achieved, which can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards SDG 7.3.

The article also states that the state has reduced its fossil-fuel energy-use intensity by 17.3 percent since 2005. This reduction in energy use intensity serves as an indicator of progress towards SDG 11.6.

Furthermore, the article highlights that state agencies have identified more than $30 million in potential energy-saving projects. The cost savings from these projects can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards SDG 7.3 and the overall goal of reducing energy costs and improving energy efficiency.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: newhampshirebulletin.com

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