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Toward a More Sustainable Johnson County

Toward a More Sustainable Johnson County. AIMS Coordination Group September 10, 2009. Overview. Some facts and figures What is sustainability and why is it a county priority? 2009 citizen survey results BOCC greenhouse gas resolution Efforts and achievements to date Next steps.

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Toward a More Sustainable Johnson County

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  1. Toward a More SustainableJohnson County AIMS Coordination Group September 10, 2009

  2. Overview • Some facts and figures • What is sustainability and why is it a county priority? • 2009 citizen survey results • BOCC greenhouse gas resolution • Efforts and achievements to date • Next steps

  3. Our World Today & Tomorrow • U.S. Population: • Current - 305 million • 2050 - 439 million (44% increase) • World Population: • current - 6.7 billion • 2050 - 9 billion (34% increase) Data: U.S. Census Bureau Photo: National Geographic

  4. Addicted to Oil? U.S. oil production peaked in 1970 In 2007, the U.S. imported twice as much oil (10+ M bbl/day) as it produced U.S. imports 5.98 M bbl/day from OPEC 2009 U.S. defense budget = $515.4 B

  5. World Ecological Footprint, 1961-2005 Source: World Wildlife Fund, Living Planet Report 2008

  6. Sustainability Balancing economic, environmental and social equity considerations in decision making Using life-cycle costing approach when making investments Considering how our choices will impact our kids, grandkids and future generations Society Economy Environment

  7. Why It’s a Priority Johnson County Sunset Drive Office Building Opened 2006; Certified LEED Gold Responsibility to our children Sustainability fundamentally is about becoming more efficient, reducing waste Taking long view provides lower costs & better value for taxpayers New technologies = new opportunities for efficiency County residents are demanding it

  8. 2009 Citizen Survey Mailed to random sample of 3,000 households in county 1,239 responses received (41% response rate) Measured familiarity with/quality of county services, expectations regarding budget priorities, effectiveness of communication 95% confidence level, +/-2.8% precision at county level

  9. BOCC Greenhouse Gas Resolution Kansas City Power & Light La Cygne Generating Station • In December 2007, BOCC approved a resolution establishing four goals: • Conduct a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory of county operations and reduce emissions 1/3 by 2020 • Make new and substantially renovated county buildings carbon neutral by 2030 • Conduct a community-wide GHG inventory; develop & implement a plan to reduce GHG emissions 80 percent by 2050 • Provide leadership to encourage reduction of GHG emissions in county and regionally through education, dialogue and partnerships

  10. County GovernmentSustainability Efforts Sustainable County Committee formed in 2004 Five work groups established around specific issues in 2007 Steering Committee formed in 2007 Board adopts GHG reduction goals December 2007 Sustainability Program Director hired August 2008 2009 – Review & expansion of sustainability efforts

  11. Committees & Subgroups Steering Committee Sustainability Committee Multi-departmental Entry-level to executive staff; one elected official Subgroups: Waste reduction Green purchasing Facilities Education & outreach

  12. Highlights of Sustainable Actions Completed or Underway Lighting Retrofit Project: Phase 1 - $987,000; estimated 3.7 yr payback Wastewater $15.1 M co-generation plant Land Application of Bio-solids Employee ozone reduction campaign has eliminated 400 tons of air pollution and 800,000 VMT Johnson County Administration Building Olathe, Kansas

  13. Sustainability Highlights (cont’d) • Purchased 41 hybrid vehicles; reduced fuel costs $142,000 & air pollution by 2000 tons • Installed vapor recovery equipment at County-owned refueling stations, • reducing VOC emissions by • 2/3 ton per year • Sponsored change-a-light • campaign for employees, • saving $41,700 in electricity • costs & reducing 278 tons of • GHG emissions Johnson County hybrid electric fleet vehicles

  14. Highlights of Sustainable Actions Completed or Underway (cont) • Computer power-down initiative begun October 2008; saves $64,000/yr and reduces GHG emissions by 679 tons/yr • Adopted new county-wide Solid Waste Plan that promotes aggressive waste reduction • Recycling at Sunset Drive office building has begun to generate revenue, offsetting trash disposal costs; implementing organization- wide recycling program

  15. Next Steps Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (award pending) • 20 county bldgs will receive energy audits • Recycling & composting • LED street/parking lot lighting • Electric vehicle recharging stations • Home weatherization assistance • Employee energy conservation outreach

  16. Next Steps (cont’d) Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin Treatment Plant Overland Park, Kansas Nelson Treatment Plant cogeneration feasibility study Actively working to expand alt-fuel use in county fleet; possible partnerships w/ local govts. & private sector Exploring feasibility of composting in county foodservice operations Employee mobility

  17. Next Steps (cont’d) Secure funding for transit 5-year plan Promote behaviors that reduce vehicle travel Support efforts to expand regional green economy Build partnerships with businesses and community groups to work on county-wide goals

  18. "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children" - Chief Seattle

  19. My daughter, Sylvia Age 9 James Joerke Sustainability Program Director james.joerke@jocogov.org (913) 715-1120

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