It's been a busy couple of weeks since my last post but I thought this would be a good week to share with you what we're planning for the new year before everyone got caught up in their holiday festivities.
First and formost I met in Indianapolis last week with representatives of the Indiana Department of Correction, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, the Bluegrass Recycling Center (KY) as well as Johnson Controls, WESTCO Distributors, and Designaire Engineers for the purpose of initiating planning for next year's National Symposium on Sustainability in Corrections. Following on the heels of our very successful innaugural event we will return to Indianapolis for 2012.
So mark your calendars for October 29 - November 1, 2012, for this important event. A call for presentations, participant registrations, and exhibitors will be available on www.GreenPrisons.org shortly after the first of the year.
In addition to planning next year's conference we have also been busy preparing for the first issue of a new quarterly journal on sustainability in corrections. We will have copies available online and at ACA. Be sure you are on our mailing list to be able to download your free copy! Advertisers and contributors for stories for future issues are also wanted. Send me an email at Tommy@GreenPrisons.org for more info.
Also be sure to look for us in the NAAWS suite at ACA in Phoenix.
I was recently contaced by a vendor who has a large quanty of CFL lightbulbs available at deep discounts. If you can use them send me an email and I will put you in touch with the vendor.
Finally, as we approach the holidays I want to thank eveyone for your support. GreenPrisons is barely six months old but we have managed to become the voice for sustainability in corrections. While it would be impossible to identify all the individuals, agencies and companies who have lent their support to get us started. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the support we have gotten from the Indiana Department of Correction and Commissioner Bruce Lemmon. Both in his former life as the warden of the Pendleton Correctional Facility and now as Commissioner of the Department he has been a leader in this movement. Our vendors, particularly Johnson Controls, I-CON, Energy Systems Group, Solaris, and Portion-Pac have been with us since the beginning and continue with their support and we sincerely appreciate it.
I also want to acknowlege all the members of the Clean and Green Committee of ACA and particularly Former Commissioner John Rees and former Secretary Richard Staler for giving me the opportunity to get invloved with this important work. The contributions of Paul Sheldon have been incalcuable. His expertise in this field continues to boggle my mind every day.
Finally, I have to acknowledge the contribution of my daughter Ann as the Marketing Director for GreenPrisons. She is the one who inspite of a full time job in a totally different field, regularly Tweets about our activities, maintains our Facebook page, publishes the newsletter and all other things electronic. GreenPrisons would simply have no voice with out her, and I am very greatful for her contributions.
2012 will be a big year for us. Hopefully we will achieve 501 (c) non profit status with the IRS, expand our webinar offerings, activate our vendors data base, and host another stellar conference.
Merry Christmas and a Green New Year!!!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Planning for 2012
Thanksgiving is barely over and we have more than a month until Christmas but here at GreenPrisons we have already begun planning for a number of activities for the new year.
On the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving Ann and I spent the day checking out possible locations for the 2012 Symposium. Our goal was to find a location that provided as much meeting and exhibit space as the Hilton but to do it more economically. We think we've done it. We won't announce the location until after a planning meeting the week of December 5th but we believe this venue will provide more space, upgraded accommodations, and reduced costs for participants and vendors alike. Keep an eye on the website for all the details.
Speaking of next year's Symposium we have options on two dates, one in late September and one in early November. What is your preference? Let us know before the planning meeting and we will include that in our discussions.
In addition to the Symposium and the webinars we will begin conducting Sustainability Surveys for agency's in 2012. If you would like us to assist you in getting started or maximizing your current efforts shoot us an email and we can talk details.
On the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving Ann and I spent the day checking out possible locations for the 2012 Symposium. Our goal was to find a location that provided as much meeting and exhibit space as the Hilton but to do it more economically. We think we've done it. We won't announce the location until after a planning meeting the week of December 5th but we believe this venue will provide more space, upgraded accommodations, and reduced costs for participants and vendors alike. Keep an eye on the website for all the details.
Speaking of next year's Symposium we have options on two dates, one in late September and one in early November. What is your preference? Let us know before the planning meeting and we will include that in our discussions.
In addition to the Symposium and the webinars we will begin conducting Sustainability Surveys for agency's in 2012. If you would like us to assist you in getting started or maximizing your current efforts shoot us an email and we can talk details.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
ACA Passes Standard and Policy Statement on Sustainability
As many of you who follow this blog regularly know, I chair the "Clean and Green" committee of the American Correctional Association and in another life was the Accreditation Manager for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The charge for our committee has been to help educate the corrections community about the advantages of using sustainable practices and products in the correctional environment. We have sought to do that in a number of ways including coordinating last April's issue of "Corrections Today" which focused exclusively on sustainability.
However we felt like to bring about meaningful change in correctional practice, it was necessary to find other ways to promote sustainability. Our committee is fortunate to be made up of some of the most experienced and thoughtful practitioners in our business, and it was decided in committee that we should ask the appropriate sanctioning bodies in ACA to approve a policy statement on sustainability so that everyone, both inside and outside of corrections, could know that ACA was taking a leadership role in this important endeavor. This effort was led by former Secretary of Corrections for Louisiana Richard Stalder and former Commissioner of Corrections for Kentucky, John Rees. Because of the efforts by these two gentlemen we were successful in accomplishing our goal in our first 18 months of existence.
While the Policy Statement is too long to list here, you can access it from the ACA website or follow this link http://http//aca.org/government/policyresolution/results.asp?PoliciesAndResolutionsYMGHFREName=environmental&sortfld_360=Name&reversesearch=false&viewby=50&union=AND&startrec=1
Based on my experience as Accreditation Manager for the Bureau it has been my experience that most folks involved in accreditation typically don't go out seeking more standards to have to demonstrate compliance with. However, I think accreditation managers will quickly understand that rather than having created a complex standard that requires pages of documentation all this new standard requires is that the agency demonstrate that they have explored the feasibility of pursuing sustainable practices during the period of accreditation.
A review of the standard language follows or you can access it from ACA's website as well:
The facility/agency shall demonstrate they have examined, and where appropriate and feasible, implemented strategies that promote recycling, energy and water conservation, pollution reduction and utilization of renewable energy alternatives.
If the agency is not currently involved in any sustainable practice to be compliant all they must document is that they have explored what might be possible. For those agencies already engaged in sustainable practices, documentation of compliance is even easier.
To learn more about this new standard and how to demonstrate compliance be sure to come by auditor training at the ACA Winter conference on Tuesday morning, January 24. I'll be doing a one hour presentation on the standard and how to evaluate compliance. You don't have to be an auditor to attend. Attendance is open to anyone attending the conference.
Since I'm writing this the Monday before Thanksgiving it seems appropriate to wish all of you the best of holidays, enjoy your family and friends and check back in here next week for our latest update.
The charge for our committee has been to help educate the corrections community about the advantages of using sustainable practices and products in the correctional environment. We have sought to do that in a number of ways including coordinating last April's issue of "Corrections Today" which focused exclusively on sustainability.
However we felt like to bring about meaningful change in correctional practice, it was necessary to find other ways to promote sustainability. Our committee is fortunate to be made up of some of the most experienced and thoughtful practitioners in our business, and it was decided in committee that we should ask the appropriate sanctioning bodies in ACA to approve a policy statement on sustainability so that everyone, both inside and outside of corrections, could know that ACA was taking a leadership role in this important endeavor. This effort was led by former Secretary of Corrections for Louisiana Richard Stalder and former Commissioner of Corrections for Kentucky, John Rees. Because of the efforts by these two gentlemen we were successful in accomplishing our goal in our first 18 months of existence.
While the Policy Statement is too long to list here, you can access it from the ACA website or follow this link http://http//aca.org/government/policyresolution/results.asp?PoliciesAndResolutionsYMGHFREName=environmental&sortfld_360=Name&reversesearch=false&viewby=50&union=AND&startrec=1
Based on my experience as Accreditation Manager for the Bureau it has been my experience that most folks involved in accreditation typically don't go out seeking more standards to have to demonstrate compliance with. However, I think accreditation managers will quickly understand that rather than having created a complex standard that requires pages of documentation all this new standard requires is that the agency demonstrate that they have explored the feasibility of pursuing sustainable practices during the period of accreditation.
A review of the standard language follows or you can access it from ACA's website as well:
The facility/agency shall demonstrate they have examined, and where appropriate and feasible, implemented strategies that promote recycling, energy and water conservation, pollution reduction and utilization of renewable energy alternatives.
If the agency is not currently involved in any sustainable practice to be compliant all they must document is that they have explored what might be possible. For those agencies already engaged in sustainable practices, documentation of compliance is even easier.
To learn more about this new standard and how to demonstrate compliance be sure to come by auditor training at the ACA Winter conference on Tuesday morning, January 24. I'll be doing a one hour presentation on the standard and how to evaluate compliance. You don't have to be an auditor to attend. Attendance is open to anyone attending the conference.
Since I'm writing this the Monday before Thanksgiving it seems appropriate to wish all of you the best of holidays, enjoy your family and friends and check back in here next week for our latest update.
Monday, October 31, 2011
The BOP and Performance Contracting
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has made extensive use of performance contracting for several years and it has enabled them to accomplish many of the sustainable projects they have initiated in recent years. Several of these projects will be discussed in our upcoming webinar on Nov 9 at 10:30 AM. Be sure to join us. You can register at www.greenprisons.org and it's free!!!
Hilary L. Martinson, Senior Acquisitions Officer, Procurement Executive’s Office, Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has discovered that Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs)can be a winning solution―both environmentally and financially―for Federal agencies and the energy service companies, or ESCOs, with which they partner. But what exactly is an ESPC?
An ESPC is a unique type of government contract that was authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and is now authorized by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, 42 U.S.C.§ 8287. Relevant regulations include the Department of Energy (DOE)’s implementing regulation on ESPCs, 10 C.F.R. part 436.34, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).[1]An ESPC enables a Federal agency to reduce its energy consumption in a particular facility by installing energy conservation measures (ECMs).[2]An ESPC, or the updated and streamlined “Super ESPC,” begins with the DOE’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) office competitively awarding indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (ID-IQ) prime contracts to several energy service companies. Federal agencies subsequently create their own ESPC projects by issuing delivery orders under the prime ESPC. The ESCO is then “paid” by receiving firm-fixed payments over time that are less than the agency’s yearly guaranteed cost savings. Unlike other government contracts, the project costs are paid by the savings achieved over the course of the contract. Moreover, if savings guaranteed by the ESCO do not materialize, the ESCO reimburses the government for the shortage.
How is the BOP implementing ESPCs?
In the BOP, the use of ESPCs has been steadily implemented since a solar thermal system was installed at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Phoenix, Arizona, in 1998 through an ESPC.[3]This renewable energy system satisfies 70 % of the hot water requirements at the facility, producing up to 50,000 gallons of hot water each day for kitchen, shower, and laundry use.
The Federal Corrections Complex (FCC) Victorville, California, won DOE’s 2006 Federal Energy and Water Management Silver Award for its efficient use of energy, which includes the use of a 750 kilowatt wind turbine, which produces 30 percent of peak electrical demand for one of its institutions, and the use of 300 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. FCC Victorville also received several upgrades to its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
In an effort to improve energy and water conservation, FCC Petersburg, Virginia, implemented an ESPC with the ESCO’s initial investment totaling $10 million. The 12 ECMs include a biomass boiler system, dry heat receiver, six electric vehicles for perimeter use, an air cooled chiller, ozone laundry (i.e., a cold water wash system that reduces washing and drying times and chemical usage), a steam system and control upgrades, ground source heat pumps, and a solar PV system. On an annual basis, the ESPC is expected to save FCC Petersburg 34 billion British Thermal Units (BTUs) of energy and 70 million gallons of water.
A recently implemented ESPC at FCC Lompoc, California, will significantly reduce Operations and Maintenance tasks during the contract’s 13-year period of performance and contains 11 different ECMs, including lighting and boiler improvements, renewable energy systems, refrigeration, and improvements to the HVAC and water and sewer systems.The changes are expected to result in an annual reduction of 47,374 (btu x 10ᶺ6).
At BOP’s FCC Beaumont, Texas, an ESPC awarded in 2009 will annually reduce 65,928 of energy (btu x 10ᶺ6). The initial project investment by the ESCO includes several ECMs, such asboiler and chiller improvements, building automation systems, lighting and HVAC improvements, renewable energy systems, electric motors and drives, energy surveys, and water and sewer systems improvements.
Other BOP facilities are utilizing ESPCs to achieve greater energy efficiency. A list of ID-IQ ESPC-awarded delivery orders and task orders from FY 1998 – FY 2011 may be found at DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website: www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/do_awardedcontracts.pdf.
Conclusion:
An ESPC is a vehicle that enables Federal agencies to pay for the costs of energy savings projects over the course of the contract performance period from the guaranteed realized savings. Agencies can upgrade and improve facilities and meet their energy conservation goals without expending large amounts of capital for equipment, materials, and labor. BOP has implemented approximately 22 such contracts to date.
[1]See FAR section 23.205,Energy-savings performance contracts, and subpart 17.1,Multiyear contracting.
[2] General information on ESPCs was obtained from the Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) website, www.eere.energy.gov.
[3]See Greening Federal Prisons: Meeting Future Demands, Corrections Today, June 2009 and Heating Water with Solar Energy Costs Less at the Phoenix Federal Correctional Institution, www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/33211.pdf (visited on April 13, 2011).
Energy Savings Performance Contracts in the
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Hilary L. Martinson, Senior Acquisitions Officer, Procurement Executive’s Office, Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has discovered that Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs)can be a winning solution―both environmentally and financially―for Federal agencies and the energy service companies, or ESCOs, with which they partner. But what exactly is an ESPC?
An ESPC is a unique type of government contract that was authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and is now authorized by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, 42 U.S.C.§ 8287. Relevant regulations include the Department of Energy (DOE)’s implementing regulation on ESPCs, 10 C.F.R. part 436.34, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).[1]An ESPC enables a Federal agency to reduce its energy consumption in a particular facility by installing energy conservation measures (ECMs).[2]An ESPC, or the updated and streamlined “Super ESPC,” begins with the DOE’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) office competitively awarding indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (ID-IQ) prime contracts to several energy service companies. Federal agencies subsequently create their own ESPC projects by issuing delivery orders under the prime ESPC. The ESCO is then “paid” by receiving firm-fixed payments over time that are less than the agency’s yearly guaranteed cost savings. Unlike other government contracts, the project costs are paid by the savings achieved over the course of the contract. Moreover, if savings guaranteed by the ESCO do not materialize, the ESCO reimburses the government for the shortage.
How is the BOP implementing ESPCs?
In the BOP, the use of ESPCs has been steadily implemented since a solar thermal system was installed at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Phoenix, Arizona, in 1998 through an ESPC.[3]This renewable energy system satisfies 70 % of the hot water requirements at the facility, producing up to 50,000 gallons of hot water each day for kitchen, shower, and laundry use.
The Federal Corrections Complex (FCC) Victorville, California, won DOE’s 2006 Federal Energy and Water Management Silver Award for its efficient use of energy, which includes the use of a 750 kilowatt wind turbine, which produces 30 percent of peak electrical demand for one of its institutions, and the use of 300 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. FCC Victorville also received several upgrades to its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
In an effort to improve energy and water conservation, FCC Petersburg, Virginia, implemented an ESPC with the ESCO’s initial investment totaling $10 million. The 12 ECMs include a biomass boiler system, dry heat receiver, six electric vehicles for perimeter use, an air cooled chiller, ozone laundry (i.e., a cold water wash system that reduces washing and drying times and chemical usage), a steam system and control upgrades, ground source heat pumps, and a solar PV system. On an annual basis, the ESPC is expected to save FCC Petersburg 34 billion British Thermal Units (BTUs) of energy and 70 million gallons of water.
A recently implemented ESPC at FCC Lompoc, California, will significantly reduce Operations and Maintenance tasks during the contract’s 13-year period of performance and contains 11 different ECMs, including lighting and boiler improvements, renewable energy systems, refrigeration, and improvements to the HVAC and water and sewer systems.The changes are expected to result in an annual reduction of 47,374 (btu x 10ᶺ6).
At BOP’s FCC Beaumont, Texas, an ESPC awarded in 2009 will annually reduce 65,928 of energy (btu x 10ᶺ6). The initial project investment by the ESCO includes several ECMs, such asboiler and chiller improvements, building automation systems, lighting and HVAC improvements, renewable energy systems, electric motors and drives, energy surveys, and water and sewer systems improvements.
Other BOP facilities are utilizing ESPCs to achieve greater energy efficiency. A list of ID-IQ ESPC-awarded delivery orders and task orders from FY 1998 – FY 2011 may be found at DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website: www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/do_awardedcontracts.pdf.
Conclusion:
An ESPC is a vehicle that enables Federal agencies to pay for the costs of energy savings projects over the course of the contract performance period from the guaranteed realized savings. Agencies can upgrade and improve facilities and meet their energy conservation goals without expending large amounts of capital for equipment, materials, and labor. BOP has implemented approximately 22 such contracts to date.
[1]See FAR section 23.205,Energy-savings performance contracts, and subpart 17.1,Multiyear contracting.
[2] General information on ESPCs was obtained from the Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) website, www.eere.energy.gov.
[3]See Greening Federal Prisons: Meeting Future Demands, Corrections Today, June 2009 and Heating Water with Solar Energy Costs Less at the Phoenix Federal Correctional Institution, www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/33211.pdf (visited on April 13, 2011).
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Academia Where Are You??
As a correctional practitioner for some 40 years I have had the opportunity to watch the profession evolve in a number of ways, most of them positive. The advent of accreditation, objective classification systems, unit management, etc., are all excellent examples of how the corrections profession has responded to new challenges.
In every instance these changes have been studied, dissected, and tested through academic study by institutions of higher learning. the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and some foundations have provided incentives to colleges and universities to study, evaluate and report on each of these then emerging trends.
So where is the support for sustainability? I beleive the evolution of sustainable and "green" practices is the next major step in the corrections profession. It does all the things we say are important; it saves money, has the potential to train inmates; and improves the enviornment thus the institution's relationship with the community, yet so far research on this emerging phenomenon has been limited.
With the exception of a couple of programs, Evergreen College in Washington state and the University of Arizona come to mind, the academic community has been silent. It is time, whether supported by the alphabet soup agencies in Washington or not, for academic institutions to begin to introduce the topic of sustainability into their curriculua.
It's obvious that corrections will continue to compete for fewer and fewer dollars as goverments work to overcome deficits. Those systems that have embraced sustainability have discovered that they can not only save money but in some instances create new funding streams (see the interview of Commissioner Bruce Lemmon of Indiana and our latest webinar that includes a presentation by the National Correctional Industries Associations' Wil Heslop).
Academic programs can no longer focus exclusively on the social sciences to develop tomorrow's correctional managers but should also be including the physical sciences, business and similar courses to provide a well rounded education.
At GreenPrisons.org we invite academic programs to join us in sharing what they are doing to better prepare tommorow's correctional leaders. If your university or criminal justice program has begun to include courses on sustainability or has partnered with a correctional agency to study their efforts, let us know. Academia has a significant role to play in promoting good sustainable practices in correctional management.
Academia where are you???
In every instance these changes have been studied, dissected, and tested through academic study by institutions of higher learning. the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and some foundations have provided incentives to colleges and universities to study, evaluate and report on each of these then emerging trends.
So where is the support for sustainability? I beleive the evolution of sustainable and "green" practices is the next major step in the corrections profession. It does all the things we say are important; it saves money, has the potential to train inmates; and improves the enviornment thus the institution's relationship with the community, yet so far research on this emerging phenomenon has been limited.
With the exception of a couple of programs, Evergreen College in Washington state and the University of Arizona come to mind, the academic community has been silent. It is time, whether supported by the alphabet soup agencies in Washington or not, for academic institutions to begin to introduce the topic of sustainability into their curriculua.
It's obvious that corrections will continue to compete for fewer and fewer dollars as goverments work to overcome deficits. Those systems that have embraced sustainability have discovered that they can not only save money but in some instances create new funding streams (see the interview of Commissioner Bruce Lemmon of Indiana and our latest webinar that includes a presentation by the National Correctional Industries Associations' Wil Heslop).
Academic programs can no longer focus exclusively on the social sciences to develop tomorrow's correctional managers but should also be including the physical sciences, business and similar courses to provide a well rounded education.
At GreenPrisons.org we invite academic programs to join us in sharing what they are doing to better prepare tommorow's correctional leaders. If your university or criminal justice program has begun to include courses on sustainability or has partnered with a correctional agency to study their efforts, let us know. Academia has a significant role to play in promoting good sustainable practices in correctional management.
Academia where are you???
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Monday Blog - Guest Bloggers
This week's blog is a guest entry from Paul Sheldon, Gene Atherton and Burt Klein
Save $1,000 per Inmate: 7 Easy First Steps to Greening Corrections
By Paul Sheldon, Eugene Atherton, and Burt Klein
When correctional professionals hear that it is possible to save $1,000 per inmate by "greening" correctional facilities, the most important question is, "What can we do to get started?" What follows here are straightforward ideas – "low-lying fruit" – that can be implemented immediately to save money and conserve resources. We first presented these ideas during a workshop at the 2010 ACA summer conference.
By using resources more efficiently, correctional institutions can free up funding, staff time, and facility space for other security-oriented activities. In a sample facility with 1,200 beds, if utility prices rise by as little as 5% per year over the next 20 years, the cost to the institution could be as high as $1,200,000 or more, which is $1,000 per inmate.
Reducing energy/water use and waste disposal by just 5% will prevent this cost increase. Rather than having to spend $1,000 per inmate, the facility will SAVE $1,000 per inmate, allowing the institution to maintain staffing and meet other security needs.
If the annual increase in combined energy, water, and waste disposal bills were 10%, the cost over 20 years could be over $7,200,000. Reducing energy/water and waste disposal by 10% would similarly save up to $7,200,000, once again making these funds available for staffing and security.
Doing maintenance first, maximizing efficiency, using inmate labor, providing job training, and using third party funding sources all enhance the value of these cost-saving measures.
The 7 easy steps to saving money are:1) More efficient lighting2) More efficient HVAC3) More efficient plug-in appliances4) More efficient motors & pumps5) More efficient water use6) Materials (moving towards zero waste)7) Independent and secure energy
LightingInstitutions as diverse as the Boulder, Colorado, County Jail1 and El Dorado State Correctional Facility in Kansas2 have invested in lighting upgrades, including skylights and other forms of daylighting, replacing T-12 fluorescent fixtures with T-8s, replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, and providing LED task lights. Kansas invested $2,123,556 in various energy-saving measures, including lighting, and is saving $247,517 per year. This translates to a utility cost reduction of 16%, simple payback of 8.2 years, and a 10-year return on investment of more than 12%.
HVACIn addition to lighting upgrades, many facilities, such as Norfolk, Virginia, Correctional Complex have tuned up or replaced their HVAC systems in order to save money and time. Norfolk installed a complex-wide energy management and control system, replaced two 1,500-horsepower steam plants, installed steam trap upgrades, and expects to reduce costs by more than the upgrades cost.3
Plug-in appliancesSimple upgrading to ENERGY STAR appliances can save up to 25% or more of the energy used for refrigerators, freezers, office equipment, washing machines, dryers, water coolers, etc.4 Just turning off appliances such as vending machines when not in use can save 30-50% of the electricity. Requiring inmate televisions to be certified as ENERGY STAR efficient could save 30-50% of the electricity used for televisions. And requiring prison industry shops to use efficient appliances and machinery could save similar amounts on utility bills.
Motors & pumpsMotors and pumps use large amounts of electricity. Installing variable speed motors, such as was done by Norfolk Correctional Complex,5 reduces electricity used by motors by 15-35%. Some companies, such as Emerson Motors,6 offer corrections-specific audits, recommendations, and services to help reduce energy use by pumps and motors.
WaterSaving water means saving money. Installation of water-efficient toilets, urinals, shower heads, rain barrels, and green roofs can further reduce water bills. Efficient garden projects, like the Women’s Garden Project at Evergreen Corrections Center in British Columbia, Canada, can beautify surroundings and reduce stress, while conserving water through use of rain barrels and swales.7
Materials (moving towards zero waste)Procedures such as recycling, composting, gardening, and life-cycle-cost-analysis can reduce the cost of procurement and waste disposal. Nearly every state boasts facilities that compost, grow vegetables and livestock, recycle, and evaluate the full life-cycle costs of operating equipment as well as purchase price, saving money in the process. Mississippi Prison’s Agricultural Enterprise generates $3,025,655 in revenues to offset the $3,124,507 cost of food, and employs 374 inmates for 774,000 hours per year. The system grows 23 different varieties of vegetables, corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, fruit, 7,300 hogs, and 36,000 chickens for inmate consumption, livestock feed, and outside sale.8
Independent and secure energyThe most reliable way to save money on energy is to install local, renewable energy systems, such as wind turbines,9 solar panels,10,11 geothermal systems,12 and biomass-fired heat and power systems.13
ConclusionEnergy, water, and waste efficiency upgrades are so profitable that many third-party financiers,14,15 will provide the up-front cost for free, in exchange for an agreement to share the cost savings with the finance company. In July of 2010, the American Correctional Association adopted the first standard to recommend that accredited facilities implement cost-effective energy efficiency, water efficiency, recycling, and renewable energy. In addition to saving money, the seven steps listed above will help comply with this standard as well.
***
A version of this article originally appeared on http://www.correctionsone.com/ in August of 2010. An expanded version was published in the April/May issue of Corrections Today magazine.
About the authors
Paul Sheldon is the Senior Advisor forNatural Capitalism Solutions (www.NatCapSolutions.org), who has authored numerous articles and reports on sustainability-oriented topics, has served as a workshop leader on greening corrections for the American Correctional Association, the North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents, and the U.S. Department of Justice, and is a member of the Clean and Green Committee of the American Correctional Association.
Gene Atherton is currently in his 33rd year of service in the criminal justice field. He is contracted to serve as the Institutions Program Manager for the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center Center of Excellence of the National Institute of Justice. He served 27 years for the Colorado Department of Corrections. After promoting through the ranks, he became Director of Prisons for the Western Region in Colorado until retirement in 2004. For the last fifteen years Mr. Atherton has served as a technical assistance consultant and trainer for the National Institute of Corrections on a variety of topics related to corrections. He has served as an author of numerous ACA publications. He has provided evidence in Federal Court as an expert witness on a variety of correctional issues, including conditions of confinement, use of force, unlawful discrimination, and management of high risk offenders. He currently serves as a member of several committees for the American Correctional Association.
Burt Klein is the President of PortionPac Chemical Corporation (http://www.portionpaccorp.com/), a Chicago-based manufacturer of the “CorrectPac” line of ecologically responsible cleaning supplies. PortionPac was recently honored by Inc. Magazine as one of the top small companies in America.
Save $1,000 per Inmate: 7 Easy First Steps to Greening Corrections
By Paul Sheldon, Eugene Atherton, and Burt Klein
When correctional professionals hear that it is possible to save $1,000 per inmate by "greening" correctional facilities, the most important question is, "What can we do to get started?" What follows here are straightforward ideas – "low-lying fruit" – that can be implemented immediately to save money and conserve resources. We first presented these ideas during a workshop at the 2010 ACA summer conference.
By using resources more efficiently, correctional institutions can free up funding, staff time, and facility space for other security-oriented activities. In a sample facility with 1,200 beds, if utility prices rise by as little as 5% per year over the next 20 years, the cost to the institution could be as high as $1,200,000 or more, which is $1,000 per inmate.
Reducing energy/water use and waste disposal by just 5% will prevent this cost increase. Rather than having to spend $1,000 per inmate, the facility will SAVE $1,000 per inmate, allowing the institution to maintain staffing and meet other security needs.
If the annual increase in combined energy, water, and waste disposal bills were 10%, the cost over 20 years could be over $7,200,000. Reducing energy/water and waste disposal by 10% would similarly save up to $7,200,000, once again making these funds available for staffing and security.
Doing maintenance first, maximizing efficiency, using inmate labor, providing job training, and using third party funding sources all enhance the value of these cost-saving measures.
The 7 easy steps to saving money are:1) More efficient lighting2) More efficient HVAC3) More efficient plug-in appliances4) More efficient motors & pumps5) More efficient water use6) Materials (moving towards zero waste)7) Independent and secure energy
LightingInstitutions as diverse as the Boulder, Colorado, County Jail1 and El Dorado State Correctional Facility in Kansas2 have invested in lighting upgrades, including skylights and other forms of daylighting, replacing T-12 fluorescent fixtures with T-8s, replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, and providing LED task lights. Kansas invested $2,123,556 in various energy-saving measures, including lighting, and is saving $247,517 per year. This translates to a utility cost reduction of 16%, simple payback of 8.2 years, and a 10-year return on investment of more than 12%.
HVACIn addition to lighting upgrades, many facilities, such as Norfolk, Virginia, Correctional Complex have tuned up or replaced their HVAC systems in order to save money and time. Norfolk installed a complex-wide energy management and control system, replaced two 1,500-horsepower steam plants, installed steam trap upgrades, and expects to reduce costs by more than the upgrades cost.3
Plug-in appliancesSimple upgrading to ENERGY STAR appliances can save up to 25% or more of the energy used for refrigerators, freezers, office equipment, washing machines, dryers, water coolers, etc.4 Just turning off appliances such as vending machines when not in use can save 30-50% of the electricity. Requiring inmate televisions to be certified as ENERGY STAR efficient could save 30-50% of the electricity used for televisions. And requiring prison industry shops to use efficient appliances and machinery could save similar amounts on utility bills.
Motors & pumpsMotors and pumps use large amounts of electricity. Installing variable speed motors, such as was done by Norfolk Correctional Complex,5 reduces electricity used by motors by 15-35%. Some companies, such as Emerson Motors,6 offer corrections-specific audits, recommendations, and services to help reduce energy use by pumps and motors.
WaterSaving water means saving money. Installation of water-efficient toilets, urinals, shower heads, rain barrels, and green roofs can further reduce water bills. Efficient garden projects, like the Women’s Garden Project at Evergreen Corrections Center in British Columbia, Canada, can beautify surroundings and reduce stress, while conserving water through use of rain barrels and swales.7
Materials (moving towards zero waste)Procedures such as recycling, composting, gardening, and life-cycle-cost-analysis can reduce the cost of procurement and waste disposal. Nearly every state boasts facilities that compost, grow vegetables and livestock, recycle, and evaluate the full life-cycle costs of operating equipment as well as purchase price, saving money in the process. Mississippi Prison’s Agricultural Enterprise generates $3,025,655 in revenues to offset the $3,124,507 cost of food, and employs 374 inmates for 774,000 hours per year. The system grows 23 different varieties of vegetables, corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, fruit, 7,300 hogs, and 36,000 chickens for inmate consumption, livestock feed, and outside sale.8
Independent and secure energyThe most reliable way to save money on energy is to install local, renewable energy systems, such as wind turbines,9 solar panels,10,11 geothermal systems,12 and biomass-fired heat and power systems.13
ConclusionEnergy, water, and waste efficiency upgrades are so profitable that many third-party financiers,14,15 will provide the up-front cost for free, in exchange for an agreement to share the cost savings with the finance company. In July of 2010, the American Correctional Association adopted the first standard to recommend that accredited facilities implement cost-effective energy efficiency, water efficiency, recycling, and renewable energy. In addition to saving money, the seven steps listed above will help comply with this standard as well.
***
A version of this article originally appeared on http://www.correctionsone.com/ in August of 2010. An expanded version was published in the April/May issue of Corrections Today magazine.
About the authors
Paul Sheldon is the Senior Advisor forNatural Capitalism Solutions (www.NatCapSolutions.org), who has authored numerous articles and reports on sustainability-oriented topics, has served as a workshop leader on greening corrections for the American Correctional Association, the North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents, and the U.S. Department of Justice, and is a member of the Clean and Green Committee of the American Correctional Association.
Gene Atherton is currently in his 33rd year of service in the criminal justice field. He is contracted to serve as the Institutions Program Manager for the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center Center of Excellence of the National Institute of Justice. He served 27 years for the Colorado Department of Corrections. After promoting through the ranks, he became Director of Prisons for the Western Region in Colorado until retirement in 2004. For the last fifteen years Mr. Atherton has served as a technical assistance consultant and trainer for the National Institute of Corrections on a variety of topics related to corrections. He has served as an author of numerous ACA publications. He has provided evidence in Federal Court as an expert witness on a variety of correctional issues, including conditions of confinement, use of force, unlawful discrimination, and management of high risk offenders. He currently serves as a member of several committees for the American Correctional Association.
Burt Klein is the President of PortionPac Chemical Corporation (http://www.portionpaccorp.com/), a Chicago-based manufacturer of the “CorrectPac” line of ecologically responsible cleaning supplies. PortionPac was recently honored by Inc. Magazine as one of the top small companies in America.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Tell Us Your Sustainable Story
In the October newsletter that will come out this week there is a small piece asking for you to tell us about your sustainable experiences. To expand on that a little we have been frustrated that there is not, for want of a better term, a "roadmap to sustainability". A "how to" or "cookbook" approach to assist managers who want to take advantage of the financial and environmental advantages of sustainability.
We're working on this with the help of Paul Sheldon of National Capitalism Solutions who has written extensively on the topic and Dr. Rick Ruddell of the University of Regina in Canada, but we need your input too.
Tell us how you got started, what worked and what you wish had worked better. Hopefully by sharing your story we can help others avoid mistakes and enjoy success. Send me any thoughts on this you have and we will work through it together. Just email me at Tommy@GreenPrisons.org
I also want to extend my thanks to Burt Klein and Caryn Stetts of PortionPac who gave me quite an extensive tour of their facility. They not only sell green, they live it. Heat, light and water are all a part of the equation on their factory floor and in their product. They will be at a number of shows in the coming months so be sure to stop by and see them. Their commitment to corrections is real.
Finally a plug for our next webinar next Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 10:30 EST. This month the topic is Re-Entry and the role green collar jobs can play in a more sustainable institution. Guest faculty will include Wil Alsop of the National Correctional Industries Association and Tom Young of the Virginia Department of Corrections. This is a webinar you won't want to miss, and it's free.
Until next time...
We're working on this with the help of Paul Sheldon of National Capitalism Solutions who has written extensively on the topic and Dr. Rick Ruddell of the University of Regina in Canada, but we need your input too.
Tell us how you got started, what worked and what you wish had worked better. Hopefully by sharing your story we can help others avoid mistakes and enjoy success. Send me any thoughts on this you have and we will work through it together. Just email me at Tommy@GreenPrisons.org
I also want to extend my thanks to Burt Klein and Caryn Stetts of PortionPac who gave me quite an extensive tour of their facility. They not only sell green, they live it. Heat, light and water are all a part of the equation on their factory floor and in their product. They will be at a number of shows in the coming months so be sure to stop by and see them. Their commitment to corrections is real.
Finally a plug for our next webinar next Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 10:30 EST. This month the topic is Re-Entry and the role green collar jobs can play in a more sustainable institution. Guest faculty will include Wil Alsop of the National Correctional Industries Association and Tom Young of the Virginia Department of Corrections. This is a webinar you won't want to miss, and it's free.
Until next time...
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday Morning Blog
I suppose it's not a good sign when your first blog entitled "Monday Morning" is not posted until Tuesday night but that not withstanding it is my intention to try to post new information on this blog weekly and ideally on Monday (sometime).
Since our last entry we had a very successful first webinar last week. We only anticipated 8-10 registrants and were pleasantly inundated with 41. It was a great cross section of practitioners and providers of products. We met several new vendors including a company that has a technology for collecting ans repurposing rainwater for a variety of uses thus reducing water and sewage fees.
Also this week we learned about a technology that makes composting in urban settings possible. While it doesn't produce a useable by-product, it does break down food waste and converts it to water thus eliminating cartage fees.
This week I'm in Chicago visiting the folks at PortionPac and will have the opportunity to see their production facilities and learn more about this great cleaning product. PortionPac brings a unique perspective to sustainability in that their cleaning product is, and always has been, totally green. Add to this their long history in the correctional market and their support of the accreditation process through the Correctional Accreditation Managers Association (CAMA) and you have a company that knows and serves corrections.
We have had our initial planning session for next year's Symposium and hope to have a date confirmed in the next 30 days. Be sure to watch the website for news on this very special event and register early. If you are not getting our monthly newsletter please go the home page of the website and subscribe.
Finally for this week we will hold another webinar in two weeks. The focus of this upcoming event will be on reentry and the role sustainability and green jobs will play in the future of corrections. Please join us and watch the website and your email to learn who the guest instructors will be.
Your comments and responses to our blog postings are always welcome
Tommy
Since our last entry we had a very successful first webinar last week. We only anticipated 8-10 registrants and were pleasantly inundated with 41. It was a great cross section of practitioners and providers of products. We met several new vendors including a company that has a technology for collecting ans repurposing rainwater for a variety of uses thus reducing water and sewage fees.
Also this week we learned about a technology that makes composting in urban settings possible. While it doesn't produce a useable by-product, it does break down food waste and converts it to water thus eliminating cartage fees.
This week I'm in Chicago visiting the folks at PortionPac and will have the opportunity to see their production facilities and learn more about this great cleaning product. PortionPac brings a unique perspective to sustainability in that their cleaning product is, and always has been, totally green. Add to this their long history in the correctional market and their support of the accreditation process through the Correctional Accreditation Managers Association (CAMA) and you have a company that knows and serves corrections.
We have had our initial planning session for next year's Symposium and hope to have a date confirmed in the next 30 days. Be sure to watch the website for news on this very special event and register early. If you are not getting our monthly newsletter please go the home page of the website and subscribe.
Finally for this week we will hold another webinar in two weeks. The focus of this upcoming event will be on reentry and the role sustainability and green jobs will play in the future of corrections. Please join us and watch the website and your email to learn who the guest instructors will be.
Your comments and responses to our blog postings are always welcome
Tommy
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Moving Forward
After a very successful ACA conference we've been busy reaching out to all the new friends we made during the conference. It's obvious that the idea of sustainability is catching on in corrections. Many of the exhibitors tout their "green" products and what they can do. We also noticed a number of new vendors or attendees that are new to corrections but bring singnificant sustainable technology to the market place.
We also want to thank our friends at I-CON, Energy Systems Group, and Solaris as well as the North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents who supported our presence in Kissimmee and gave us a base from which to operate.
As we indicated at ACA, GreenPrisons will host a series of webinars September 20th, October 11th and November 9th. The first webinar will focus on the corporate side and provide some insight, particularly to new vendors, of the challenges and benefits of working with correctional agencies. These webinars are FREE and no special equipment is required. Registration is now available at www.greenprisons.org.
Planning has also begun for next year's symposium and while the date is still being finalized, we will be back in Indianapolis with a bigger and better event. If you attended this year but didn't go on the institutional tour you won't want to miss what our friends in the Indiana Department of Correction have in mind for next year. Watch the website and your email for the call for presenters and registration information which will be coming soon.
We continue to look for input from practitioners and providers about how we can make the site more useful to you. Leave your thoughts on this blog or send them to me directly at tommy@greenprisons.org
We also want to thank our friends at I-CON, Energy Systems Group, and Solaris as well as the North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents who supported our presence in Kissimmee and gave us a base from which to operate.
As we indicated at ACA, GreenPrisons will host a series of webinars September 20th, October 11th and November 9th. The first webinar will focus on the corporate side and provide some insight, particularly to new vendors, of the challenges and benefits of working with correctional agencies. These webinars are FREE and no special equipment is required. Registration is now available at www.greenprisons.org.
Planning has also begun for next year's symposium and while the date is still being finalized, we will be back in Indianapolis with a bigger and better event. If you attended this year but didn't go on the institutional tour you won't want to miss what our friends in the Indiana Department of Correction have in mind for next year. Watch the website and your email for the call for presenters and registration information which will be coming soon.
We continue to look for input from practitioners and providers about how we can make the site more useful to you. Leave your thoughts on this blog or send them to me directly at tommy@greenprisons.org
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Doing More with Less
On a mission to find out as much about energy savings in corrections as possible, we attended an ACA workshop on "Best Practices: A Review of Facilities" presented by Robert Schwartz, VP of the Justice Group at HOK, Inc., and Eric Hackman, Project Manager with Tower Pinkster. They reviewed three facility projects in three separate counties in Michigan and gave us project highlights including the energy savings established due to the new construction. Here are a few notes:
Midland County Jail:
The new Justice Complex added 30% more space to the building's footprint but created a 20% energy savings from $2.43 to $1.93 per square foot by using the following practices:
Midland County Jail:
- Created with a compact floor plan which encourages energy efficiency
- Designed with extensive day lighting to reduce the need for artificial lighting, saving electricity
- Installed a ground source heat pump
- Ozone laundry system, allowing cleaner laundry washed with cold water, reducing the demand for warm water
- Light harvesting - system automatically turns the electric lights off when a pre-determined amount of light is detected in a given space
- Design avoids inmate cells on the exterior wall, thus reducing the amount of energy needed to heat the cells in the winter
- Polished concrete floors can be cleaned with a wet mop, reducing the need for chemicals
- $185 annual energy costs
- $1.75 per square foot/year
- $740 per bed/year
- $57K annually in energy savings
- 25% savings of a "typical" building
The new Justice Complex added 30% more space to the building's footprint but created a 20% energy savings from $2.43 to $1.93 per square foot by using the following practices:
- Installed new "air handling" units
- High efficiency boilers
- Ozone laundry system
10 Trends in Detention Building Design
We ended the ACA conference with a workshop on "Best Practices: A Review of Facilities" where Larry Hartman, Vice President of HDR Architecture, Inc. gave a quick review of 10 trends that seem to be of paramount consideration in the development of a new dentition center.
1) Be a good neighbor - the facade and structure of a building should not be obtrusive or stand out in a community, but should fit the aesthetic already established.
2) Break out of the box - architects and builders should think about ways to create a building that goes beyond a box of concrete.
3) Use inexpensive materials to enhance the design of the building - even if they are inexpensive, the materials should be used in a way that creates a visually pleasing design.
4) Create pleasing public spaces - even though detention centers do not generally attract a large amount of public traffic, those spaces that are available to the public should be pleasant.
5) Clear organization and circulation - minimizes confusion in high risk situations and creates clear pathways of travel.
6) Find unique ways to handle multiple classifications - the most successful structures rise to the challenge of creating safe, livable space for a variety of offender classifications when called for.
7) Reduce the need for artificial light by including natural light in the design - use of view windows, skylights and clerestories help achieve this and help reduce energy consumption.
8) Inclusion of recreation space - a must for all facilities, the recreation space can vary by being indoor or outdoor, each coming with its own specific challenges.
9) Provide for direct supervision - increasingly, newly designed spaces need to be flexible to provide the opportunity for both direct and indirect supervision, taking into account all of the risk management factors for both inmates and staff.
10) Create a calming intake environment - as the offender's first experience with the institution, intake areas are more often being designed to create a more welcoming environment by using softer, though durable materials and incorporating natural light.
The job of the building designer is to meet the special needs of the detention facility through unique design.
1) Be a good neighbor - the facade and structure of a building should not be obtrusive or stand out in a community, but should fit the aesthetic already established.
2) Break out of the box - architects and builders should think about ways to create a building that goes beyond a box of concrete.
3) Use inexpensive materials to enhance the design of the building - even if they are inexpensive, the materials should be used in a way that creates a visually pleasing design.
4) Create pleasing public spaces - even though detention centers do not generally attract a large amount of public traffic, those spaces that are available to the public should be pleasant.
5) Clear organization and circulation - minimizes confusion in high risk situations and creates clear pathways of travel.
6) Find unique ways to handle multiple classifications - the most successful structures rise to the challenge of creating safe, livable space for a variety of offender classifications when called for.
7) Reduce the need for artificial light by including natural light in the design - use of view windows, skylights and clerestories help achieve this and help reduce energy consumption.
8) Inclusion of recreation space - a must for all facilities, the recreation space can vary by being indoor or outdoor, each coming with its own specific challenges.
9) Provide for direct supervision - increasingly, newly designed spaces need to be flexible to provide the opportunity for both direct and indirect supervision, taking into account all of the risk management factors for both inmates and staff.
10) Create a calming intake environment - as the offender's first experience with the institution, intake areas are more often being designed to create a more welcoming environment by using softer, though durable materials and incorporating natural light.
The job of the building designer is to meet the special needs of the detention facility through unique design.
"Know thyself..."
ACA Workshop: Energy Management & Conservation
Sunday's session on energy management was presented by Mike Brasovan, Executive VP at Rely Energy. Mr. Brasovan's presentation emphasized the need for institutions to collect data about their utility usage in order to create a baseline and benchmarks for comparison. Institutions tracking their information can compare themselves to similar size institutions to see if there are gaps in their efficient use of energy. By tracking this information over time facility managers can implement products and technologies to mitigate the expenses by seeking energy-saving best practices. In addition, understanding energy pricing and potentially available discounts can create more saving opportunities. Several states have "choice" programs where institutions can purchase natural gas and/or electricity from non-utility, "3rd party" suppliers at substantial discounts. Energy audits and Tariff Analysis are great ways to begin the process of saving money through energy efficiency. Know your data, look for discounts and subsidies, and control your energy usage.
Sunday's session on energy management was presented by Mike Brasovan, Executive VP at Rely Energy. Mr. Brasovan's presentation emphasized the need for institutions to collect data about their utility usage in order to create a baseline and benchmarks for comparison. Institutions tracking their information can compare themselves to similar size institutions to see if there are gaps in their efficient use of energy. By tracking this information over time facility managers can implement products and technologies to mitigate the expenses by seeking energy-saving best practices. In addition, understanding energy pricing and potentially available discounts can create more saving opportunities. Several states have "choice" programs where institutions can purchase natural gas and/or electricity from non-utility, "3rd party" suppliers at substantial discounts. Energy audits and Tariff Analysis are great ways to begin the process of saving money through energy efficiency. Know your data, look for discounts and subsidies, and control your energy usage.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Energy Savings with an ESCO
We started this morning off right with a session on "Energy Savings, Operational Efficiencies Reinvested into Facility Upgrades".
Energy Performance Contracting is a complex process, and this session, presented by ESCO Johnson Controls, helped identify the key points of an energy audit by citing examples of their work with the Virginia Department of Corrections. Johnson Controls emphasized the benefits of making comprehensive changes to an institution instead of piece-mealing the various solutions.
The largest potential savings lie in the areas of Lighting, Space Heating and Space Cooling. In addition, water costs are on the rise - specifically sewer costs. By retrofitting older water systems and insulating pipes, institutions save money on energy as well as water usage. ESCOs provide a guarantee of energy savings making sure that the investment has a long-term ROI.
One of the more interesting examples of reducing water usage was an electronic shut off system so that inmates cannot abuse the system by multiple and continuous flushes. By installing this system, the toilet will shut down and eliminate the ability for the inmate to flush if the system detects a certain number of flushes in a specified time frame saving the institution thousands of gallons per inmate.
Creating a comprehensive approach, Johnson Controls has also created a "HVAC Learning Lab" so that inmates can be trained on the maintenance of the new systems. The most important thing to note about the Learning Lab is that it was built and supported solely through the savings created by installing the energy saving systems.
The bottom line of savings is documented over time by a variety of methodologies including utility bill comparison. The ESCO is responsible for ensuring and guaranteeing the energy savings.
Sound bites:
Energy Performance Contracting is a complex process, and this session, presented by ESCO Johnson Controls, helped identify the key points of an energy audit by citing examples of their work with the Virginia Department of Corrections. Johnson Controls emphasized the benefits of making comprehensive changes to an institution instead of piece-mealing the various solutions.
The largest potential savings lie in the areas of Lighting, Space Heating and Space Cooling. In addition, water costs are on the rise - specifically sewer costs. By retrofitting older water systems and insulating pipes, institutions save money on energy as well as water usage. ESCOs provide a guarantee of energy savings making sure that the investment has a long-term ROI.
One of the more interesting examples of reducing water usage was an electronic shut off system so that inmates cannot abuse the system by multiple and continuous flushes. By installing this system, the toilet will shut down and eliminate the ability for the inmate to flush if the system detects a certain number of flushes in a specified time frame saving the institution thousands of gallons per inmate.
Creating a comprehensive approach, Johnson Controls has also created a "HVAC Learning Lab" so that inmates can be trained on the maintenance of the new systems. The most important thing to note about the Learning Lab is that it was built and supported solely through the savings created by installing the energy saving systems.
The bottom line of savings is documented over time by a variety of methodologies including utility bill comparison. The ESCO is responsible for ensuring and guaranteeing the energy savings.
Sound bites:
- Energy Performance Contracting will be a $5 Billion industry in 2011
- Savings must be sufficient to cover the costs
- Executive level buy in is essential - in VA, the governor issued orders that ensured that any energy savings would be returned to the institution and not back to the general fund.
- Energy Performance Contracting is about "Risk Management"
- Including any training costs in the estimate is essential
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Greetings from the 141st Congress of ACA
We just rolled into the ACA Congress this afternoon and already have had the opportunity to talk with former KY DOC Commissioner of Corrections John Rees and representatives of Portion Pac chemicals.
One of our goals this week at the conference is to expand the involvement of Jails in the accreditation process by providing training and technical assistance to initiate the process. Much of this effort will focus around the control of toxics, caustics and flammables.
Tomorrow we are scheduled to meet with a number of current and former commissioners/directors to learn how Greenprisons can support/contribute to sustainable efforts in corrections.
Watch for more updates from Portion Pac, Solaris, ESG, Johnson Controls and ICON in the coming days.
Let us know what you would like to know about what is going on at ACA this summer
One of our goals this week at the conference is to expand the involvement of Jails in the accreditation process by providing training and technical assistance to initiate the process. Much of this effort will focus around the control of toxics, caustics and flammables.
Tomorrow we are scheduled to meet with a number of current and former commissioners/directors to learn how Greenprisons can support/contribute to sustainable efforts in corrections.
Watch for more updates from Portion Pac, Solaris, ESG, Johnson Controls and ICON in the coming days.
Let us know what you would like to know about what is going on at ACA this summer
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Success in Indianapolis at the first National Symposium on Sustainable Corrections
June 17, 2011
For Immediate Release
Media contact:
Ann Norris, Director of Marketing
Ann@GreenPrisons.org; 317-384-3637
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Greenprisons.org concluded a
hugely successful first-ever National Symposium on Sustainable
Corrections on Thursday, June 16th. The three-day Symposium focused on
cost saving sustainable practices and training inmates in “green collar”
jobs to ensure they are prepared for 21st century jobs upon reentry.
Two days of workshops concluded with a tour of the Putnamville
Correctional Facility where participants saw green practices in action.
GreenPrisons.org chose Indiana as the location for the first Symposium because of the efforts of former commissioner Buss and current commissioner Lemmon’s actions to save taxpayer dollars by supporting green efforts. “Sustainability makes sense for Indiana,” stated IDOC Commissioner Bruce Lemmon. “Governor Daniels has charged the Department to measure effectiveness and efficiencies, and sustainability has given us a great starting point.”
“Indiana was an obvious choice to host this inaugural symposium,” said GreenPrisons.org founder and CEO, Tommy Norris. “Commissioner Lemmon’s commitment to seeking out and implementing renewable and sustainable solutions to energy consumption is an example for the industry to follow.”
The Greenprisons.org Symposium focused on products and providers who play key roles in taking first-steps in greening the corrections community. Johnson Controls and NORESCO, two leaders in sustainable energy practices, gave special targeted workshops.
The Symposium also explored trends in training inmates in “green collar” jobs. Among the topics explored, Dr. Raquel Penderhughes, of San Francisco State University spoke on how to harness green business growth to fight both pollution and poverty and provide youth and adults with pathways to prosperity.
Paul Sheldon, Senior Advisor at Natural Capitalism Solutions, presented innovative, proven effective strategies to save as much as $1,000 per inmate through implementation of "green" technologies and strategies. Sheldon addressed lighting, water, appliances energy, waste disposal, recycling materials management, security and safety concerns, and employee and inmate transit among other topics.
Visit www.GreenPrisons.org for more information on the specific accomplishments of the Symposium. Commissioner Lemmon has volunteered to host the 2012 GreenPrisons.org Symposium on Sustainable Corrections again in Indiana; dates TBD.
For Immediate Release
Media contact:
Ann Norris, Director of Marketing
Ann@GreenPrisons.org; 317-384-3637
 |
| Symposium participants touring the Putnamville facility |
GreenPrisons.org chose Indiana as the location for the first Symposium because of the efforts of former commissioner Buss and current commissioner Lemmon’s actions to save taxpayer dollars by supporting green efforts. “Sustainability makes sense for Indiana,” stated IDOC Commissioner Bruce Lemmon. “Governor Daniels has charged the Department to measure effectiveness and efficiencies, and sustainability has given us a great starting point.”
“Indiana was an obvious choice to host this inaugural symposium,” said GreenPrisons.org founder and CEO, Tommy Norris. “Commissioner Lemmon’s commitment to seeking out and implementing renewable and sustainable solutions to energy consumption is an example for the industry to follow.”
The Greenprisons.org Symposium focused on products and providers who play key roles in taking first-steps in greening the corrections community. Johnson Controls and NORESCO, two leaders in sustainable energy practices, gave special targeted workshops.
The Symposium also explored trends in training inmates in “green collar” jobs. Among the topics explored, Dr. Raquel Penderhughes, of San Francisco State University spoke on how to harness green business growth to fight both pollution and poverty and provide youth and adults with pathways to prosperity.
Paul Sheldon, Senior Advisor at Natural Capitalism Solutions, presented innovative, proven effective strategies to save as much as $1,000 per inmate through implementation of "green" technologies and strategies. Sheldon addressed lighting, water, appliances energy, waste disposal, recycling materials management, security and safety concerns, and employee and inmate transit among other topics.
Visit www.GreenPrisons.org for more information on the specific accomplishments of the Symposium. Commissioner Lemmon has volunteered to host the 2012 GreenPrisons.org Symposium on Sustainable Corrections again in Indiana; dates TBD.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
GreenPrisons.org and Corrections.com team up to offer the Sustainable Corrections Blog
Hello, my name is Tommy Norris, Executive Director of
GreenPrisons.org, and I am the editor of Corrections.com’s newest blog, Sustainable Corrections. This new blog is the result of a collaboration
between Corrections.com and GreenPrisons.org. GreenPrisons.org is the only source on the
web dedicated exclusively to sustainable products and practices in corrections.
In the coming weeks you will find a series of articles about
what’s happening in corrections relating to sustainable products and
practices. From sophisticated energy
conservation efforts, LEED construction and what it means, to recycling and
composting.
The blog will have three focal points. First and foremost, generating cost savings
through adopting a variety of sustainable practices and the use of more
efficient, sustainable products.
Secondly, we will examine the evolution of training programs designed to
prepare offenders for 21st century “green collar” jobs. Finally, we believe that the adoption of
sustainable practices and products will make corrections a better neighbor and
contribute significantly to an improved environment in the communities where
correctional facilities are present.
This blog and the GreenPrisons.org website are an outgrowth
of the “Clean and Green” committee created by the American Correctional
Association some 18 months ago. Readers
will be asked to suggest topics for that committee and we will keep you
apprised of the actions of the committee.
Unlike other blogs on Corrections.com this one will not have
a single contributor, but rather a series of experts in the field who will
offer their opinions about the products and services utilized by institutions
around the country. You are encouraged
to provide your comments to each of the articles which will be published about
every two weeks. If you would like to
contribute an article it should be 500-1,000 words and address a sustainable
practice, product or service utilized in corrections. You can address your article to me at Tommy@greenprisons.org and I will respond to you directly.
You are also encouraged to visit GreenPrisons.org for an expanded
discussion on sustainability in corrections.
There you will have the opportunity to learn about specific efforts from
agencies in our featured program as well as check out the links to many other
articles focusing on sustainability in corrections.
Join us in the coming weeks to learn how you can save $1,000
per inmate per year by adopting sustainable practices, or the latest in “green”,
environmentally neutral cleaning solutions.
We will explore links between accreditation and sustainability including
the latest standard adopted by the Commission on Accreditation of Corrections
requiring every correctional function to at least examine ways they can develop
more sustainable practices.
There will also be something for vendors as well. Providers of sustainable products and
services will hear first hand from senior agency managers what a vendor must do
to successfully contract with government, and how they can ensure that the
uniqueness of their product is explained in a way that does not compromise the
procurement process.
By visiting GreenPrisons.org
you can also learn how to register
for the National Symposium on Sustainable Corrections to be held in Indianapolis,
June 13-16. In addition to national
speakers, the Symposium will also include a tour of an Indiana correctional
facility to observe a variety of sustainable practices and programs.
Be sure to check back here beginning May 16, for
Correction.com’s newest blog and to learn the latest in sustainable practices
and products in corrections.
Tommy Norris
Executive Director
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
National Symposium on Sustainable Corrections: COSTS PRACTICES AND REENTRY
Come out in June to the National Symposium on Sustainable Corrections: COSTS PRACTICES AND REENTRY.
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