Greentech Lead America: Johnson Controls, a technology
provider, has partnered with the city of Milwaukee for an energy efficient
program that committed to make Milwaukee one of the most energy-efficient
cities in the U.S.
Reducing pollution, creating hundreds of private-sector
green jobs, reducing energy bills and improving the commercial building and
housing stock are the main aims of Milwaukee Energy Efficiency or Me2
program.
Me2 helps link property owners to energy contractors and
private lenders, while eliminating significant upfront costs associated with
efficiency projects that are then paid for from savings resulting from reduced
energy use.
“This is an excellent example of the type of project
that the city had in mind when it formed Me2. We expect the Me2 initiative will
lead to the start of many more energy-efficiency projects within the
year,” said Erick Shambarger, deputy director for the Milwaukee Office of
Environmental Sustainability.
Johnson Controls is working with the city and property
owners on these programs. Johnson Controls is implementing the removal of
existing heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and replacing them
with more energy-efficient equipment.
The company also installed a new building automation
system to control the HVAC equipment that serves the building, including common
areas such as the entrance foyer, parking garage, basement and hallways.
“The city of Milwaukee has created a program that
will lead the nation and serve as a model for other cities to promote and help
enable widespread private-sector energy efficiency. These projects will bring
Milwaukee tremendous benefits at no cost to local taxpayers,” said Iain
Campbell, vice president and general manager, Building Efficiency, Johnson
Controls.
The first Me2 project has already been launched at The
Newport. The efficiency upgrades are expected to save The Newport more than
$48,000 in annual energy costs.
The innovative Me2 Clean Energy Financing Program
leverages funds that it received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act to provide up to $60 million in enhanced private-sector financing for
building owners.
Recently, Johnson Controls
helped Miller Park Baseball stadium to become LEED certified in the category of
Existing Building Operations and Maintenance.