For Immediate Release: Monday, May 22, 2006
Greening Government Conference Tackles Energy Efficiency, and Environmental
Issues Facing State Agencies
May 22, 2006, Denver — The greening of Colorado state government,
which has already resulted in several million dollars in monetary savings in
addition to reductions in uses of resources and in increased protections to
the state’s environment, took another important step forward on Monday.
Colorado’s first annual “Greening State Government Conference,” designed to
promote Governor Bill Owens’ executive order to manage state government in
the most efficient and environmentally responsible manner, opened today.
Personnel from all state agencies are attending this event today and
tomorrow at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden.
The Greening Government conference areas of focus, designed to reduce
consumption of energy, resources and to save money, include:
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energy efficiency;
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environmentally preferable purchasing;
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transportation;
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waste reduction and recycling; and
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water conservation and quality.
Attendees will have the opportunity to identify the issues and barriers to
implementing these measures as well as sharing past successes.
Governor Owens, who launched the process with his July 2005 executive order,
said, “Greening government efforts are very important in many ways. Not only
is money saved, but also uses of energy are reduced and the environment is
benefited. Government should run as efficiently as possible and this is a
way to help make certain that happens.”
The three agencies, designated in the executive order to lead the Greening
Government efforts, are the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment, the Governor’s Office of Energy Management and Conservation,
and the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration.
Dennis Ellis, now the executive director of the Department of Public Health
and Environment, was involved in the executive order’s development when he
served as a member of the Governor’s policy staff.
Ellis explained that the order directs state agencies, under the leadership
of the council, to develop, implement and augment programs, plans and
policies that save money; prevent pollution and conserve natural resources
throughout state government management and operations.
Ellis said, “This conference is the next step toward involving more agencies
and more programs from throughout Colorado’s state government to participate
in this greening government effort. This effort began with a few agencies
and a few programs but it is hoped that soon it will involve all state
agencies and programs.”
At the conference, case studies are being presented to highlight state
agencies and others that have successfully implemented projects resulting in
cost savings; reductions in energy usage; and changes in impacts to the
environment, he said.
The 95 conference attendees include state agency purchasing officials,
energy managers, facilities staff, custodial managers, fleet managers and
others responsible for greening state government.
Highlights of the main areas, in which this greening government effort has
been focused, include:
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Energy Efficiency: The Office of Energy Management and Conservation helped
negotiate performance contracts for many state buildings. These contracts
produced efficiency upgrades in lighting; heating and air conditioning
controls; chillers and boiler systems, saving the state more than $2.2
million in energy costs.
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Water Conservation and Water Quality: Agencies implemented a variety of
water-saving measures at state facilities, including Xeriscape projects and
the installation of low-flow fixtures, automated faucets and waterfree
urinals. These measures save at least 15.7 million gallons of water and
$61,000 in water charges each year.
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Waste Reduction and Recycling: In 2005, the Department of Public Health
and Environment and the Division of Administrative Hearings recycled more
than 838,000 pounds of waste materials, such as paper, cardboard, glass,
aluminum and plastic. Several state agencies are documenting and evaluating
existing recycling programs and conducting waste audits to identify
additional opportunities to reduce waste and recycle more efficiently.
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Transportation: Agencies purchased 23 hybrid cars and sport utility
vehicles and have many new models on order. State Fleet Management also
increased the number of vehicles available to run on ethanol and biodiesel –
and plans to purchase those fuels in high quantities in the coming years.
Several agencies offer incentives for employees who carpool to work, such as
closer parking and reduced parking rates.
To learn more about Greening Government, this conference and how to get
involved, visit:
For more information about Boulder County pollution
prevention efforts:
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