September 19, 2007—Chevron Energy Solutions recently announced the completion of a comprehensive project for the state of Colorado that it says significantly improves the energy efficiency of key government facilities across the state.
The extensive upgrades to 20 state buildings are expected to reduce energy costs at the facilities by 25 to 30 percent, saving state taxpayers $924,000 annually and more than $20 million over the next two decades. The upgrades also will reduce the facilities’ demand for energy from local utilities, leading to an expected reduction of about 8,000 metric tons in utility carbon dioxide emissions–reportedly equivalent to removing 1,500 cars from the road.
The $13.6 million project, coordinated through the state’s Department of Personnel and Administration, began in 2003 and is funded entirely by the energy savings generated by the efficiency improvements.
Under the project, Chevron Energy Solutions completed extensive upgrades to 16 buildings in Denver, three in Lakewood, and one in Grand Junction. The improvements included upgrading lighting systems; replacing boilers, chillers, and piping (some dating to the 1920s); and installing new energy-management systems.
Along with the annual energy savings, the state’s building operations are benefiting from improved interior lighting quality and comfort, reduced maintenance needs, and removal of abandoned equipment and asbestos in some locations. In addition, a small portion of the energy savings is funding the installation of a 10-kilowatt photovoltaic solar system at the governor’s residence.
As a result of the improvements, three of the buildings have been certified by the US Green Building Council through its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design—Existing Building (LEED—EB).
