Council approves energy-efficient improvements for courthouse and jail

March 16, 2009

Summary

Natural-gas-fired boilers will save nearly $800,000 and reduce carbon emissions

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council today unanimously approved facility improvements to the King County Courthouse and King County Jail that will save nearly $800,000 in fuel costs and reduce the County’s carbon footprint.

The ordinance approves a contract with McKinstry Essention for the installation of boilers fired by natural gas to provide heat and hot water at the Courthouse and Jail. The new boilers will replace a steam-heating system which now burns diesel fuel and require substantial retrofitting at County expense.

“It is the best of both worlds to be better stewards of our environment and the County’s budget,” said Councilmember Jane Hague, who sponsored the ordinance. “This contract provides us that opportunity.”

Upgrading the heating system at the two buildings will save the public $788,600 in fuel costs and more than 6.7 million gallons of water per year, along with a reduction in the annual emission of 1,715 metric tons of carbon dioxide gas that contribute to climate change. The upgraded system will face an annual performance analysis to ensure continued efficiency.



Read the legislation