In 2019, Santa Fe County contracted Yearout Energy LLC (an Energy Service Company - ESCO), to complete an Investment Grade Audit (IGA) for fourteen (14) County owned facilities to assess improvements needed for energy efficiency and water conservation savings. The IGA was completed in October 2020. The County implemented the upgrade recommendations for thirteen (13) facilities with the agreement for a guaranteed utilities savings return.  Three of the facilities received solar installations as well as energy efficiency and water conservation upgrades for an additional total of 82 kW DC to the facility's PV sourcing for electricity.  The construction work for this project began at the end of 2021 and the Sustainability Division is pleased to announce that the 100% walkthrough of this project was recently completed. The total project cost is approximately $2 million.

As a result of the upgrades, County residents can be proud of some impressive benefits to the community.  The improvements are equivalent to 84 vehicles removed from roads, 42 homes removed from the power grid, 120 acres of trees planted, and 451,733 pounds of coal not burned!

While it's "a wrap" for these 13 buildings, with over 120 facilities, upgrade efforts are far from over!  Planning for the next twenty facilities, outlined in Phase II of the County’s Operational Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan, is in review for energy efficiency and water conservation savings beginning in fiscal year 2024, as well as increasing the County's sourcing of renewable energy through PV installations.  Keep your eyes open for facilities getting these important updates throughout the County in the not too distant future!

The full BCC presentation on the project can be accessed here: Santa Fe County GUS Utility Savings Project Highlights or you can watch the live presentation at: BCC June 27 Regular Meeting Live. The march to meet the Race to Zero pledge and Paris Agreement goal of net zero emissions by 2050 continues on! 

The Board of County Commissioner's approved the County's Operational Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan (GHGRP) in 2022.  In so doing, the County committed to accelerate the transition to EV's in the County fleet via infrastructure as well as the purchase of two EV's each year through the creation of a fleet policy which requires phased out vehicles to be replaced by EV's or hybrid vehicles.  The GHGRP outlines the goal of five charging station additions at County facilities each year as well.  Due to the pandemic and chip shortages, meeting these goals has been a challenge.  Currently the County has five chargers available to the public.  Each level 2 charger provides two ports for charging up two vehicles at a time. 

With such long distances to travel throughout the 1,911 square mile region, range capacity remains at the top of the service deployment concerns.  Yet, given that over half of the countywide greenhouse gas emissions are due to transportation, it is evident that the EV transition goal is a vitally important one.  Despite the pause in efforts due to global circumstances, the Sustainability Division is happy to announce that momentum is gaining speed again to successfully meet the BCC approved Plan goals by 2025.  Staff recently submitted an application for the CFI grant with grant writing assistance from the Northern New Mexico Economic Development District (NNMEDD), and technical support from Toole Designs and NMDOT. The application, if awarded, will provide the County with both fast chargers and level 2 charging stations at 13 community accessible sites throughout the County.  To further solidify the County's EV transition commitment, the BCC recently approved a contingency fund for supplying at least five EV chargers to be installed in key County facility locations in the coming year, should the application for grant monies fall through. 

A big shout out to staff, leadership, and all who embrace this change and are working hard to make the EV transition so that everyone can enjoy driving cleanly (and quietly) along the many long and winding roads that stitch our communities together!     

Fireworks in our arid landscape, during wildfire season, is a risky formula.  Not to mention, our furry friends (and neighbors) are usually not as keen on the loud booms and unpredictable whizzes through the sky as some celebrating enthusiasts.  Why not switch it up and throw a learning activities party and leave the fireworks to the pros?  A group of teachers have come up with a great list of July 4th fun and educational activities for students, yet we believe these creative options will delight any age!  Gather in celebration of our interdependence and by all means--do not skimp on the glitter--we officially declare it to be an important feature in all July 4th related art and signage, and most definitely a non-fire risk.  Just keep the mini-vac close by and guard those precious eyes!    

May the delights of the 4th be with you and yours safely and in full sparkle this year!