Mission

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the most cost-effective way possible without imposing unreasonable community mandates or compromising city operations. 

Vision
Since 2007, through a variety of resolutions and policies, the city has made a commitment to reduce its carbon footprint through energy efficiency and locally sited renewable photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal and hydroelectric energy projects.

Projects

• lighting retrofits at 28 of the city's facilities
• LED street lights at 40 city intersections
• LEDs in every traffic light city-wide
• LED solar powered public lights in Frenchy's Park
• boiler upgrades at 5 city facilities
• a program that leveraged $1.2 mil in loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to Santa Fe homeowners
• leveraged funds to purchase the city's first compressed natural gas solid waste vehicle
• 2.7 MW of renewable energy at 5 different city facilities including PV and hydroelectric systems at:
  
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant - 1 MW
  • Buckman Direct Diversion Project - 1 MW
  • Transit Division - 165 KW
  • Community Convention Center - 91 KW
  • Canyon Road Water Treatment Plant - 100 KW hydroelectric plant
  • Fire Station #3 - Solar thermal system for water heating and PV system will go online fall 2012

Upcoming Projects / PV systems at:

• Wastewater Treatment Plant Compost Facility - 100 KW
• Genoveva Chavez Community Center - 600 KW
• Buckman Direct Diversion Project - additional MW

Energy Specialist
Nicholas Schiavo was appointed City Energy Specialist in 2007. Starting with energy audits of every city facility, Schiavo has documented a path forward to energy reduction.  Since 2007, there has been a 7% reduction in energy use by city government.  

Nick Schiavo can be reached by phone at (505) 955-6693 or by email.