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correspondence 10 pages

March 27, 2024 Compiled by Emily Giovanni, Assistant to the Village Manager Background In August 2018, the Village Board of Trustees adopted an Energy Benchmarking Policy which requires the collecting, reporting, and sharing of building energy data on a regular basis. This allows municipal officials and the public to understand the energy performance of municipal buildings relative to similar buildings nationwide. The following Village-owned buildings are covered by this policy: 1. Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building 2. Harmon Engine Firehouse 3. Grand Street Firehouse 4. Washington Engine Firehouse 5. Department of Public Works Garage Each year, the Manager’s Office is responsible for entering the total energy consumed by each covered building into an online portfolio, as well as creating a report containing summary statistics on annual energy consumption. These data points are available to the public on the Village website at crotononhudson-ny.gov/benchmarking. Methodology The Village monitors and records its energy usage in three distinct categories: 1. Natural Gas (therms): This refers to the consumption of natural gas, measured in units called "therms." A therm is a unit of heat energy equal to 100,000 British thermal units (BTU), commonly used for billing purposes by gas companies. 2. Electric (kWh): This indicates the usage of electricity, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). A kilowatt-hour is a unit of electrical energy equivalent to one kilowatt (1 kW) of power expended for one hour. 3. Oil (Gallons): This represents the consumption of oil. It refers to the volume of oil consumed for heating purposes. By tracking these three categories of energy consumption, the Village can monitor its overall energy usage, identify trends, analyze patterns, and potentially implement measures to improve energy efficiency or reduce consumption in specific areas. The usage data is collected from monthly billing statements provided by utility companies or service providers for natural gas, electricity, and oil consumption. Each month, the Village receives detailed invoices that outline the amount of energy consumed within the billing period, typically measured in therms for natural gas, kilowatt-hours (kWh) for electricity, and gallons for oil. The Village reduced its annual natural gas usage by approximately 6.2% between 2022 and 2023. The reduction in natural gas usage signifies a concerted effort to optimize energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact. In comparing electricity usage between 2022 and 2023, 2022 recorded slightly higher total electricity consumption and average monthly usage. Both years exhibited peak usage during the summer months, with July being the highest for 2022 and June for 2023, reflecting typical patterns driven by increased cooling needs. Despite minor fluctuations, both years followed a similar trend of higher usage in summer and lower usage in cooler months. Additionally, in May 2022, the Village enrolled in the Con Edison GridRewards Program, voluntarily adjusting thermostat settings at the Municipal Building upon request to alleviate strain on the grid during peak demand hours, particularly on hot summer days. - 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 Natural Gas Usage (therms) - Municipal Building Natural Gas Usage 2022 Natural Gas Usage 2023 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 Electricity Usage (kWh) - Municipal Building Electricity Usage 2022 Electricity Usage 2023 Harmon Engine Firehouse There is a notable 25% decrease in natural gas usage at the Harmon Firehouse from 2022 to 2023. Such a reduction implies a significant improvement in energy efficiency or a change in operational practices within the firehouse during that period. Overall, there is a slight decrease in electric usage from 2022 to 2023 at the Harmon Firehouse, with some months showing consistent usage patterns while others exhibit more significant changes. There are noticeable peaks in summer months, likely due to increased use of air conditioning systems, and lower usage in winter months. - 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 Natural Gas Usage (therms) - Harmon Firehouse Gas 2022 Gas 2023 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000 18,000 Electricity Usage (kWh) - Harmon Firehouse Electric 2022 Electric 2023 Grand Street Firehouse Grand Street Firehouse saw a 16.5% decrease in natural gas usage from 2022 to 2023. Such a reduction implies a significant improvement in energy efficiency or a change in operational practices within the firehouse during that period. Grand Street Firehouse saw a 14.5% decrease in annual electricity usage from 2022 to 2023. Electricity usage during the summer months was markedly lower in Summer 2023 compared to Summer 2022. - 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 Natural Gas Usage (therms) - Grand Street Firehouse Gas 2022 Gas 2023 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000 Electricity Usage - Grand Street Firehouse Electric 2022 Electric 2023 2 per. Mov. Avg. (Electric 2022) Washington Engine Firehouse Washington Engine Firehouse saw a significant 35.7% decrease in electricity usage from 2022 to 2023. In January of 2023, the Village of Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County completed a 36 kilowatt (kW) solar installation on the roof of its Washington Engine Firehouse, thanks to the efforts of the Village’s Sustainability Committee and solar incentives provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The impact of this solar installation is evident in the data, which showcases significantly reduced electricity usage across all months following its implementation: The solar roof provides the power needed to run the firehouse – additionally, the system utilizes the firehouse’s existing heat pumps to heat as well as cool the facility. Doing so has slightly raised electricity usage, but is in the process of replacing most of the fuel oil presently used, as evidenced by the 49% reduction in oil usage between 2022 and 2023. 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 Electricity Usage (kWh) - Washington Firehouse 2022 Electricity 2023 Electricity 2 per. Mov. Avg. (2022 Electricity) 2023 Oil Usage 2022 Oil Usage Oil Usage (Gallons) - Washington Engine Firehouse Department of Public Works Garage The Department of Public Works saw a 9.7% decrease in electricity usage and a 23% reduction in heating oil usage for the DPW Garage. These achievements not only result in cost savings for the DPW but also align with broader sustainability goals and climate action initiatives. - 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 Electricity Usage (kWh) - DPW Garage Eletric 2022 Electric 2023 Year 2023 Year 2022 Oil Usage (Gallons) - DPW Garage Conclusion Across various Village-owned buildings, notable achievements in energy conservation have been observed. The Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building achieved a commendable 6.2% reduction in annual natural gas usage, demonstrating a commitment to optimizing energy efficiency. Similarly, the Harmon Engine Firehouse and Grand Street Firehouse realized significant decreases in natural gas usage, indicative of improved operational practices and energy efficiency measures. Furthermore, the Washington Engine Firehouse stands out for its remarkable 35.7% decrease in electricity usage following the installation of a solar power system. This initiative not only showcases the Village's commitment to sustainability but also highlights the potential of renewable energy solutions in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change. Additionally, the Department of Public Works Garage achieved noteworthy reductions in both electricity and heating oil usage, contributing to cost savings and aligning with broader sustainability goals and climate action initiatives. Overall, the Village of Croton-on-Hudson's efforts to monitor, analyze, and improve energy performance across its municipal buildings demonstrate a proactive approach to environmental stewardship and resource management. By embracing energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies, the Village sets a positive example for communities striving to build a more sustainable and resilient future. Jan-22 Feb-22 Mar-22 Apr-22 May-22 Jun-22 Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Natural Gas (therms) Municipal Building 2,715 2,723 1,623 1,078 - - - 1,062 2,407 Grand St. Firehouse 1,539 1,535 1,175 Harmon Firehouse 1,476 1,454 1,066 Washington Engine Firehouse - - Electric (kWH) Municipal Building 15,280 15,600 15,600 15,120 16,080 20,800 26,480 24,560 20,400 15,280 14,240 16,560 Grand St. Firehouse 7,680 8,000 6,880 5,600 7,280 9,760 13,520 14,640 11,600 7,040 7,760 8,080 Harmon Firehouse 7,040 7,600 7,600 6,400 7,520 10,400 15,040 15,520 13,360 9,760 6,320 7,840 Washington Engine Firehouse 2,790 2,970 2,466 2,016 1,998 2,718 3,132 3,060 2,394 1,926 2,340 2,826 DPW Garage 4,960 4,160 3,520 3,200 3,200 3,680 5,360 5,200 4,080 3,040 3,520 5,200 Oil (units) DPW Garage - - - - Washington Engine Firehouse - - - - - - - Benchmarking Program - 2022 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23 Jul-23 Aug-23 Sep-23 Oct-23 Nov-23 Dec-23 Natural Gas (therms) Municipal Building 1,973 2,150 1,686 1,391 1,920 Grand St. Firehouse 1,018 1,299 1,017 Harmon Firehouse 1,012 Washington Engine Firehouse Electric (kWH) Municipal Building 16,320 15,120 15,680 15,200 18,480 24,880 22,000 20,800 18,370 15,639 16,504 15,715 Grand St. Firehouse 7,040 7,600 6,880 5,680 5,280 7,280 11,120 9,520 8,880 7,040 7,760 8,160 Harmon Firehouse 7,360 7,360 6,560 6,720 7,440 11,920 13,600 11,120 12,080 7,992 6,266 6,487 Washington Engine Firehouse 2,282 1,461 1,341 1,155 1,083 1,967 2,002 1,575 1,267 1,766 2,210 DPW Garage 3,920 4,560 3,280 2,800 3,440 4,880 4,240 4,160 3,021 3,249 5,316 1,470 Oil (units) DPW Garage 1,272 1,121 - - - - - 1,098 - Washington Engine Firehouse - - - - - - - - - Benchmarking Program - 2023