Representatives from the US Department of Energy recently visited Chattanooga to recognize the city for its energy efficiency leadership as part of the Better Buildings Initiative .
Since Chattanooga joined the initiative in 2015, it has reached and surpassed its goal (of reducing energy use throughout its portfolios by at least 20% over 10 years) thanks to energy efficiency advancements like:
- New automation systems
- LED lighting + solar farm installations
- Modifications to wastewater treatment processes — like a new equalization station + biosolids management system
Many of the more recent projects took place at the Moccasin Bend Environmental Campus, where they have reduced the cost to power the plant by $1.4 million annually, making the campus the single greatest contributor to the city’s energy efficiency savings since entering the challenge in 2015.
More by the numbers
27% | Chattanooga’s annual energy savings compared to 2013 levels
24% | Chattanooga’s annual water savings compared to 2013 levels
~$2 million | How much the city has saved in operational costs, thanks to energy-saving efforts