Report to the 2007 General Assembly 

Legislative Report 12

Title: Report on the Implementation of SAEP to the Secretary of Administration

STATE AGENCY ENERGY PLAN

In accordance with the provisions of Title 3, VSA Chapter 45, Section 2291 (f), the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services (BGS) shall biennially report to the Secretary of Administration on the State’s implementation of this section.

The State Agency Energy Plan (SAEP) has completed its first year of implementation.  Implementation of the SAEP involves a continuous process of measuring, evaluating and modifying energy use patterns.  Buildings and General Services has been established as a key leader in this effort.  Title 3 §2291b requires each agency to develop a specific Agency Energy Implementation Plan (AEIP).  There has been two meetings involving the various agencies and departments since the implementation began. 

The goals of the SAEP are broken down into three categories:  infrastructure, transportation and purchasing.  There are 10 steps in the implementation of the infrastructure.  The implementation is currently between steps two and three.  Step two implements self-evident, low cost or no cost, measures that are carried out “in-house” by occupants and/or through the normal maintenance procedures and budgets.  An awareness training curriculum has been developed and is being distributed to the agencies and departments.  This will be used by occupants to better understand what they can do to implement the SAEP.  Step three identifies all possible Energy Saving Measures (ESM’s) in each state building by a series of energy audits.  Currently, audits of various degrees are being conducted throughout the state.  BGS has a performance contract that is conducting an energy audit at the Waterbury, Middlesex and Montpelier Complexes.  An audit of 10 courthouses and eight correctional facilities is currently being implemented was BGS also.  This will assist Judiciary and the Department of Corrections in their implementations as well.  The Agency of Transportation (AOT) is currently working on a lighting retrofit for all their garages.

The implementation of the transportation is broken up into two sections:  state fleet and state employee commuting.  The state fleet has seen an increase in use and BGS is in the process of purchasing more low emission and hybrid vehicles to replace or add to the current group of vehicles.  BGS has been working on the state employee commuting portion with the Climate Neutral Working Group.  Discussions about how to approach the behavior of commuters have led to the need for more information.  The group is looking at a survey to learn the behavior.

The implementation of the purchasing has involved reviewing the contracts and purchases in general to ensure that the most efficient and environmentally preferable products are included.  Some changes have been made in the way contracts are set up and awarded.  The use of state commodity contracts is now mandatory and Life Cycle Costing is being conducted prior to awarding contracts whenever it is appropriate and feasible.  A new contract was also established for certified hardwood lumber. 

The State Agency Energy Plan is available on the BGS website at www.bgs.vermont.gov