New Erie 2030 District Report Details Progress Toward Reducing Building Energy Use By 50% By 2030

On August 10, the Erie 2030 District, a group comprising 17 Erie County property partners spanning public and private organizations representing 120 buildings and over 4.9 million square feet, released its 2020 progress report detailing efforts by partners who have committed to a 50 percent reduction in energy use in their buildings by the year 2030.  

In 2020, the Erie 2030 District reduced energy usage to 13 percent below the baseline, a slight increase from 14.8 percent in 2019. The Erie District avoided over 8,000 metric tons of CO2e [carbon dioxide equivalent] emissions in 2020, an amount equal to the emissions of over 740 homes.

Changes in energy use in 2020 reflect the impact of COVID-19, which affected industries and buildings in different ways. 

While offices decreased energy use due to work from home policies, energy use increased in healthcare due to higher patient loads and the need for increased ventilation.  Healthcare comprises a large portion of the Erie 2030 District’s square footage, and thus influenced the Erie District's marginal increase in energy use in 2020.

“Buildings in general are not designed to be completely shut down, and the pandemic has highlighted the importance of equipping both existing buildings and new construction with technologies that enable them to adapt to changing occupancies,” says Chris Cieslak, Green Building Alliance 2030 District Senior Director, Vice President of Strategy & Impact.  “In many cases, an entire building needs to be heated or cooled even if only a portion of the building is occupied. This wastes energy. COVID-19 has added urgency and visibility to the fact that innovative approaches such as motion sensors, zoned mechanical systems and demand- controlled ventilation that can adjust to changing occupancy are the way of the future.”

Erie 2030 District results were presented by Green Building Alliance, a Western Pennsylvania nonprofit that facilitates both the Erie 2030 District and the Pittsburgh 2030 District, at a virtual event on August 10 attended by Erie property and building owners, facility managers, and nonprofit, government and community leaders.

The Erie 2030 District Report recognizes the achievements of the Erie Art Museum, which deployed new technology to manage its lighting systems and measure environmental conditions, including humidity, temperature and CO2 (all critical to maintaining the art collection), and the Benedictine Sisters, whose efforts have included installation of solar panels, installation of efficient boilers, updating lighting and educating the community about energy. 

“As part of the 2030 Districts Network, Erie joins the ranks of major cities such as New York City, Toronto and Philadelphia in its aim to achieve more efficient existing buildings,” says Cieslak. “Increasing the health and efficiency of buildings can be transformational for the region. In 2019, clean energy jobs in Pennsylvania increased for the seventh straight year, growing to nearly 94,000 workers statewide before the effects of the coronavirus outbreak impacted the nation’s economy. Over 75 percent of those clean energy jobs are in energy efficiency industries.”

Erie County presently ranks 14th in the clean energy job market in Pennsylvania, with over 1,500 jobs.

COVID-19 has further demonstrated the importance of healthy indoor environments. 

Steps building owners and managers can take to help protect the health and safety of occupants include adjusting ventilation and filtration to increase the amount of fresh air in the building; utilizing healthy, non-toxic cleaning practices; and properly training janitorial staff to ensure safe use of cleaning products. 

GBA recommends the latest CDC, ASHRAE and EPA guidance as they relate to increasing ventilation, proper social distancing protocols, and cleaning techniques.

“The challenges and opportunities being met by business owners and facilities managers in Erie are representative of postindustrial mid-sized cities around the country,” adds Cieslak.  “Expanding 2030 Districts to include places like Erie promotes collaboration while also introducing high-performing building strategies to others across the country looking to work towards a healthier public, reduced climate impacts, increased social equity, and a strengthened economy.”

At the August 10 event, Erie 2030 District partners and guests gathered virtually to reflect on how the events of 2020-21 have impacted building operations, pay tribute to facility managers who overcame scores of challenges throughout the pandemic, and recognize Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper for her support of the 2030 District program as she prepares to leave office.

Click Here for a copy of the complete report.

 Visit the Erie 2030 District, Pittsburgh 2030 District and the Philadelphia 2030 District webpages for more information.

[Posted: August 10, 2021]  PA Environment Digest