Fairfax reports steady operational energy gains: 19% reduction since FY2018, $8 million avoided annually; solar and VPPA needed to meet targets

Fairfax County staff reported progress on the county’s Operational Energy Strategy (OES) to the Board of Supervisors’ Environmental Committee on Feb. 25, 2025, citing a 19% reduction in portfolio energy use versus the FY2018 baseline and roughly $8,000,000 in annual avoided energy costs.

Kevin Smith, division manager for energy programs in the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC), told the committee that the county achieved the 19% reduction in FY2024 despite a net increase in building floor area and that meeting the remaining 6 percentage points needed to reach the OES FY2030 goal of 25% will be more complex and likely costlier than earlier gains.

"This reduction has resulted in approximately $8,000,000 in annual avoided energy costs," Smith said, noting that many early savings came from measures such as LED streetlight conversions and lighting controls that had lower cost and quick paybacks. He said future progress will rely on continued ESCO-led energy retrofits and expanded recommissioning and continuous-commissioning programs to optimize existing equipment.

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