Other municipalities have been following Tampa Bay’s lead in clean energy initiatives for years.
St. Petersburg invested in solar panels a decade back and now has around 25 municipal facilities that generate electricity from sunlight. Dunedin switched from fossil fuel vehicles to electric power in 2018 and has a solar rebate program available for residents.
Clearwater, like smaller cities like Safety Harbor and Largo set goals for 100 percent clean electricity years ago. However, Clearwater is unable to make that pledge since it operates a natural-gas utility that sells fossil fuels to homes and businesses.
Clearwater is making up the difference with a number of environmental initiatives that will help it achieve its goals of reducing greenhouse gases emissions and becoming more sustainable. The City Council approved a contract this month with Cenergistic, which is a Texas company that helps municipalities and other organizations reduce their natural gas, electric, and water consumption, save money, as well as lessen their carbon footprint.
Clearwater sustainability coordinator Sheridan Gemuendt said that the city is on track to complete a feasibility study on solar energy by next month. The council will then use the collected data to determine whether solar panels should be installed to power municipal buildings.
Jon Jennings, the City Manager, has also approved two new positions to assist the city in achieving its goals: a sustainability specialist as well as an innovation and energy officer. These positions are currently being filled.
Jennings said that there is no doubt that we have been behind in focusing on alternative energy sources. He made environmental initiatives a priority in his November arrival to the city. That is part, however, of the focus. We will catch up to and hopefully exceed our neighbors’ efforts.
Steve Jones, Cenergistic’s regional vice president for client development, estimates that the firm will reduce Clearwater’s energy costs by $8.2 Million through 2027. Cenergistic will pay Clearwater $3 million per year from the savings, which is a monthly charge.
Gemuendt stated that this will result in a minimum of a 20% reduction in the city’s use electricity, water, and natural gas.
Jones stated that Cenergestic personnel will work to change culture and behavior in the city. They will inspect buildings at night for water leaks, check for HVAC equipment for efficiency, and review billing statements for anomalies that could indicate wasted energy. Gemuendt explained that the program will also focus on behavioral changes in city employees. For example, getting them used to turning off lights in rooms not being used or switching mini-fridges to central appliances in offices.
According to Isabel Mascareas (public information officer), Pinellas County Schools has slashed $43 million on their energy costs since 2015. She stated that the school district has spent $17 million so far on Cenergistic.
Hayes will make your day.
Get Stephinitely’s free newsletter
Every Monday, Stephanie Hayes, columnist, will share her thoughts and feelings with you.
Jones stated that we change people’s perceptions of what equipment they need to use. It is more efficient. Most people don’t have someone who micromanages this type of behavior.
In January, the council considered a contract to Cenergistic that would have paid Cenergistic 50 percent of the $8.2 million in savings over five years. Some council members, such as Mayor Frank Hibbard, resisted the fee structure. Cenergistic offered a monthly payment structure that could allow the city to keep an additional $1 million of the savings.
The council adopted the Greenprint 2.0 plan in August. It outlines a range of environmental initiatives with an overarching goal to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent below 2007 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 2007 levels through 2050.
The plan includes solar initiatives such as launching a cooperative program for residents to coordinate bulk purchases of equipment at reduced prices, and encouraging developers to build homes that can accommodate solar panel installation.
Clearwater signed up for Duke Energy’s Clean Energy Connection Program in 2020. This could mean that 40 percent of the electricity city governments receive from Duke Energy will be sourced from solar systems in 2020.
Kathleen Beckman, Council member, has been pushing the city for a solar energy program in municipal operations since her election in 2020.
There was much debate at the dais, particularly between Beckman and Hibbard, about the return on investment. Beckman said that solar energy is an upfront investment but will allow the city to save money in the long-term on energy costs. It will also help reduce harmful emissions.
Hibbard stated that he has not seen enough data to support a strong return on investment. However, he anticipates that the impending feasibility study will shed light on logistics and finances for municipal operations.
He said that if the municipality wants to invest in renewable energies for environmental reasons, without a clear return of investment, he could support it so long as officials are transparent about the financial commitment.
Hibbard said that you can make a decision to do something even though it might not be financially feasible.
He said that Clearwater has been proactive about the environment ever since the city adopted Greenprint in 2011. This first version set a goal to reduce emissions 10 percent below 2007 levels. Clearwater must achieve this goal by 2020. Clearwater exceeded that target, reaching 12.9 percent below 2007 levels in 2018, according to city data.
Hibbard was also signed up last year as a Climate Mayor. This is a network of approximately 470 U.S. mayors that have committed to taking bold action to combat climate change.
Beckman believes the city could do better and is encouraged by Jennings simultaneous initiatives. However, she is concerned that the city’s natural-gas utility operation could be counter to its environmental goals.
Beckman stated that while I believe we are behind and have not proven ourselves to be leaders, I am very pleased with the progress we are making now. I believe we are on the right track. Owning a gas utility makes these commitments more difficult so that’s something we’ll have to face.
