Green City Government

Wilmington Taking Action

Welcome to the City of Wilmington’s page where you can find information on what the City is doing to reduce its carbon footprint to meet the goal of a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. This goal was established by Mayor James M. Baker in his Executive Order issued in August 2008.

A lot has been done so far to implement the Executive Order and move the City on its way to achieving its goal. The effort includes both major construction projects and day-to-day operational policy changes.

Some of the City’s major projects and efforts include:

1. Secured a Guaranteed Energy Performance Contract with Honeywell. The program is designed to achieve:
   1. 26% reduction in energy consumption
   2. 800 kW of renewable energy generation – that is 10% of the City’s base load
   3. Average Net Annual Savings of more than $600,000
   4. Greenhouse gas reduction of 2,600 tons
2. Created a booster pump station at Porter Filtration Plant to reduce peak electric load
   1. The booster pump station will increase usable volume of Porter Reservoir from 4MG to 30 MG. This increased capacity allows raw water pumps to recharge reservoir during off-peak electric rate hours (12 – 16 hours) instead of 24/7. Energy cost savings achieved by procuring lower price off-peak electricity; enables investment in renewable energy (solar) component
3. Installed solar photovoltaic systems at Porter Plant and Municipal Complex
   1. Two installations totaling 972 mWh/year of generation
      1. Porter Filter Plant, Ground Mounted – 525 kW
      2. Municipal Complex, Roof Mounted – 257 kW
   2. The savings through the offset of utility power purchase = $110,000/yr; and additional revenue will be generated through the sale of Renewable Energy Credits
4. Converted all City-owned traffic signals to high efficiency LED lighting (2,353 fixtures / 5,088 LED lamps).
   1. The benefits of this project include reduced electricity consumption through lower wattage, reduced maintenance costs due to longer lamp life.
5. Some of the conventional energy efficiency measures installed at the Department of Public Works and Department of Public Safety Buildings are:
   1. Lighting - Replacement of lamps, ballasts and fixtures
      1. Reduced electric consumption using lower wattage and occupancy sensors, improved lighting quality and lower maintenance costs.
   2. HVAC upgrades - Variable Frequency Drive at the Public Safety Building
      1. Reduced electric consumption through lower speed of supply and exhaust fans.
   3. Steam trap replacement - Porter and Brandywine Plants
      1. Reduced fuel oil consumption by eliminating steam loss through leaking traps.

Policies and employee information that have been created or updated under the Green City Program include:

• Employee Actions
• Green Fleet Policy (draft)
• Energy Efficient Purchasing Policy (draft)