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County reports electrical use up 11% over last year; staff to provide energy use intensity metrics
Summary
A facilities staff member told the Infrastructure Committee that electricity use in county buildings rose about 11% in the first six months of 2025 compared with 2024, water use is declining, and staff plan to use EPA Portfolio Manager to report energy use intensity for each building.
County facilities staff presented utility usage and energy-intensity tracking to the Infrastructure Committee, reporting that electricity use rose about 11% in the first six months of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024 and roughly 7% above 2021 levels; natural gas remained about level and water usage declined.
“Electrical is up considerably over last year,” Becca said. “We are up about 11% the first 6 months of 2025 over 2024, and up about 7% from 2021.” She explained the county is using EPA Portfolio Manager to calculate energy-use intensity — source energy per gross floor area — and that staff have historical usage data back to 2011. Becca also said she and Melissa are confirming building square footage, occupancy and functional breakdowns (for example, how much of the jail is office space versus incarceration) so the energy-use-intensity figures reflect comparable areas.
Becca noted facility-specific changes: the coroner’s office usage declined about 11 percent after occupancy moved to Gift Avenue, and that figure is expected to fall further. She asked the committee for feedback on what kinds of reports members prefer and offered to return with tailored energy-intensity data by building.
The committee did not take formal action on the report. Staff said they will update building configuration information with Melissa and Kyle and return with energy-use-intensity reports and other analyses requested by the committee.
Less critical details: Becca referenced Portfolio Manager and Energy Star as the tools used to normalize energy across fuel types and building areas and offered to produce multiple report formats if the committee identified specific needs.
