County to explore heating plant to cut greenhouse gas, fuel costs
July 12, 2011
Contact: Marlia Jenkins, program development manager, (360) 397-6097,
Vancouver, WA – Clark County has selected Schneider Electric of Seattle to develop a proposal for a new central heating plant that, if approved, would provide a clean, cost-effective way to lower fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
The proposed central heating plant would use the latest technology to generate heat for county buildings and electricity from recycled forest debris that otherwise would be burned in open “slash” piles. The facility would reduce fossil fuel emissions by about 28,660 tons per year, the equivalent of taking 6,200 cars off local roads or 3,700 homes off the electricity grid each year. The facility would also save taxpayers an estimated $1.5 million over the next 20 years.
The Schneider Electric proposal calls for the facility to be built without county money or financing, as required under a competitive request for proposals issued by the county.
“This central heating plant has the potential to be a win for taxpayers and the environment,” said General Services Director Mark McCauley. “Before deciding whether to build the facility, we need to ensure this project meets with approval from the Board of County Commissioners.”
To proceed, Schneider Electric must ensure the facility would be in full compliance with air quality laws and all regulatory requirements at a county-owned site in downtown Vancouver near the county jail and courthouse.
“Clark County is committed to being a leader in using renewable energy and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. This project will make the county one of the few public entities in the country to produce more green energy than it consumes,” McCauley said.
For more information on the potential heating plant, go to www.clark.wa.gov/general-services.
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