COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

 

DATE:

December 6, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 13, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Lighting Retrofit at 555 County Center - County Government Center

 

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of Public Works to call for sealed proposals to retrofit the light fixtures at 555 County Center.

 

Vision Alignment

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.

 

Your Board’s adoption of the proposed resolution could result in cost savings and a net reduction in carbon dioxide emissions associated with providing lighting at 555 County Center, and will demonstrate your Board’s continuing commitment to conserve energy and practice environmental stewardship.

 

Background

 

Previous Board Action

Authorized:

 

1.

the County’s participation in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Lights Program, a Federal program which commits the participating agencies to replace existing building lighting systems with more energy efficient lighting systems; and

 

2.

the County’s participation in the Sustainable Silicon Valley Initiative and committed to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

 

History

We were recently informed that the Local Government Energy Partnership (LGEP) through the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), is making energy rebates available to local government agencies. However, the local agency has to commit to doing a project by December 31, 2005, and have the actual work completed by March 31, 2006.

 

Discussion

Facilities staff evaluated the County office building at 555 County Center in conjunction with LGEP and have estimated that we can save 117,068 kilowatt hours per year, and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide associated with the energy savings from entering the atmosphere by 36.38 tons per year, by retrofitting the existing lighting fixtures and using third generation T-8 lamps and matching electronic ballasts.

 

We are recommending that your Board authorize the Director of Public Works to call for bids now, to expedite the bid process and have the work completed by the March 31, 2006, deadline, in order to qualify for the energy rebates. We will return to your Board with a summary of the bids received after bids are opened and the low bidder is known, and with a recommendation to award a contract.

 

A resolution has been approved as to form by County Counsel.

 

Fiscal Impact

The estimated construction cost is $135,000 and funds have been appropriated in the 2005/06 Capital Projects Budget for energy projects that can be used to finance this work.

 

The Project qualifies for approximately $32,000 in energy rebates from LGEP which will be received through Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) after the work is completed. In addition, we estimate that the net cost to the County of $102,000 ($135,000 - $32,000) will be paid back in avoided energy charges in 3.5 years based on the current cost of kilowatt hours.

 

There is a positive impact to the General Fund as energy savings will continue after the 3.5 year pay back period.