Erie 2030 District Property Partners Achieve $4.5 Million In Energy Savings, 18.9% Reduction In Energy Demand

On October 22, the Erie 2030 District, a project of Green Building Alliance, released the 2024 Erie 2030 District Progress Report, revealing that District property partners achieved an 18.9% reduction in energy use, saved $4.5 million in energy utility costs, and reduced carbon emissions by 37.5% in 2024.

The Erie 2030 District will continue to pursue the goal of achieving a 50-65% reduction in energy reductions and carbon emissions by the year 2030, and zero carbon* emissions by 2040. 

Formed in 2019, the Erie 2030 District comprises 172 buildings occupying more than 9.3 million square feet. 

Properties include office towers, hospitals, hotels, multifamily residential buildings, universities, museums, municipal offices and facilities, and K-12 schools.

Through the 2030 District model, GBA helps property partners identify and prioritize critical investments in their buildings and operations systems that will enable them to become more efficient. 

Partners receive a confidential annual building performance report that analyzes their progress toward energy reductions – setting the path for data-driven investments, resilient buildings, and cost savings. 

GBA also provides context and personalized recommendations for building and systems upgrades, and property partners have access to specialized training courses led by GBA staff, including GBA’s new Energy Efficiency 101 and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager training.

In addition to collective data results, the Progress Report highlights the work of Gannon University, which after working on analysis of energy use with GBA, implanted an energy savings plan that included consolidating summer classes into two buildings. 

Because unoccupied spaces do not require the same level of conditioning, Gannon raised the temperature setpoint in those buildings, realizing substantial savings from reduced cooling and lighting demand, and lower hot water loads. 

“As a Catholic university, Gannon is deeply invested in the values of Laudato Si’ and our responsibility to care for creation. Our participation in the 2030 District reflects this commitment to building a more sustainable campus and protecting our common home. By centralizing summer classes and adjusting building temperatures, we not only reduced utility use and saved nearly $93,000 but also created more consistent operations that streamline maintenance and cut costs. These efforts show how faith-inspired commitments can translate into tangible action for our community and for the Earth,”  Gannon University said in a statement.

“We are proud to see Erie leaders continually punching above their weight in sustainably managing their buildings for the benefit of the community,” said GBA Senior Director of Energy and Communities Ashley DiGregorio. “Making smart decisions in the way we steward the region’s properties, while also transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources, is a proven way to realize individual savings to property owners and make Erie a livable community,”.

Action steps for improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact include:  

-- Changing lights to LEDs

-- Installing occupancy/vacancy sensors in building spaces to reduce electricity use 

-- Managing plug or process loads [energy usage in a building not related to HVAC, lighting, or water heating] through building controls, occupant policies, smart power strips and outlets

-- Adding insulation to walls and roofs; sealing air leaks around windows and doors; adding gaskets to outlets; sealing leaks in ductwork; replacing single pane windows

-- Producing or purchasing renewable, carbon-free energy by installing solar panels, buying renewable energy credits (RECs), or entering into renewable energy-related Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)

-- Addressing refrigerant leaks in HVAC systems and ensuring proper disposal 

-- Replacing furnaces and boilers that run on natural gas with more efficient air- or ground-source heat pumps 

-- Adding aerators to faucets; changing to automatic or push button metered fixtures; replacing toilets or flushometers with low-flow alternatives

-- Adding a rain barrel and using captured rainwater to irrigate plants; using native plantings that need less water

-- Reusing building materials and designing for deconstruction   

-- Selecting building materials with low embodied carbon and that are locally produced 

-- Advocating for policy change that enhances building energy codes + performance standards   

Click Here for a copy of the report.

Erie property owners interested in joining or learning more about the Erie 2030 District: reach out to the Green Building Alliance at info@gba.org. 

The Green Building Alliance works across sectors and with communities to create beautiful, efficient, high-performing spaces that are as healthy for people as they are for the environment, and that contribute to a thriving economy. 

Related Articles This Week:

-- Data Center Stampede Trampling PA Ratepayers Part I:  PA Utility Law Project - Utility Terminations Up 30% Already; Prioritize Existing Loads; Centers Need To Help Pay For Utility Assistance  [PaEN]  

-- Data Center Stampede Trampling PA Ratepayers Part II: PA Consumer Advocate - PUC Should Set Conditions For Centers To Be Served By The Grid; Set Power Curtailment Priorities [PaEN] 

-- Data Center Stampede Trampling PA Ratepayers Part III:  PJM Market Monitor - Data Centers Have Cost Existing Ratepayers $16.6 Billion Already; Centers Should Bring Their Own Power Generation To Prevent More Large Price Spikes  [PaEN]  

-- PUC Votes To Suspend, Investigate PPL Electric's Proposed 7%, $356 Million Rate Increase  [PaEN] 

-- Dickinson College To Host Environmental Defense Fund Panel Discussion On Accelerating The Clean Energy Transition Oct. 29  [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- WITF: PA House Committee Considers Shielding PA Ratepayer’s Wallets From A.I. Data Center Energy Costs 

-- WHYY: PA Legislation Aims To Protect Ratepayers From A.I. Data Center Energy Strain, Costs 

-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: PA Lawmakers Consider Rules For A.I. Data Centers; Industry Warns Of Over-Regulation

-- Tribune-Democrat: PA Lawmakers Weigh Economics, Grid Failure As Regulations Considered For A.I. Data Centers Energy Use To Prevent Further Electric Cost Spikes  [PDF of Article]  

-- Utility Dive: North American Electric Reliability Corp Warns A.I. Data Center Power Demands Threaten Grid Reliability: We Need ‘Every Single Megawatt, Every Single Electron’ To Meet The Demand 

-- ABC27: A.I. Data Centers Have To Go Somewhere, PUC Chair Says

-- JDSupra.com: PA Senate Republican A.I. Data Center Siting & Permitting Act Creates Confusing, Contradictory, Less Certain Permitting System  [Senate Bill 991]

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Massive Amazon A.I. Data Center In Bucks County Spurs Call To Protect Consumers From Getting Hit With Power Grid Costs  

-- Penn State Extension: Data Centers And Water Use In Pennsylvania

-- Utility Dive Guest Essay: Reliance On Natural Gas For Power Generation Will Worsen Energy Affordability Crisis - By Cassady Craighill, GridLab

[Posted: October 24, 2025]  PA Environment Digest