Battling Climate Change

METRO’s Energy conservation project is in full swing at facilities, and you may have seen it in action. Workers are busy upgrading lighting, replacing plumbing fixtures, and making other improvements to reduce energy waste as METRO moves toward a greener and more sustainable tomorrow. The effort is part of . Adopted by the Board of Directors in early 2022, the action plan calls for:

• Procuring only zero-emissions buses by fiscal year 2030
  
• Minimizing environmental impacts on the health and safety of employees
  
• Applying green principles to the design and management of facilities
  
• Promoting energy management and waste reduction opportunities
  
• Working with other organizations toward shared environmental goals

Applying green principles, including energy management and waste reduction opportunities at the Authority's facilities, is the job of METRO Energy Manager Terry Divine, who says the comprehensive undertaking will save METRO approximately $1.5 million annually.

"This scope started as a lighting project and has bloomed into much more. METRO will be changing all lighting to more efficient LED lamps and upgrading our building automation systems to help reduce energy waste in our buildings," said Divine. "We're also upgrading cooling towers and replacing plumbing fixtures with more efficient ones at 1900 Main."

At the West Bus Operating Facility, METRO will add solar panels on all bus canopies and install a large battery to charge buses during peak hours or in the event of a grid failure. Solar panels will also be installed at the Townsen Park & Ride, supplying the facility with nearly all the power it needs to operate.

METRO plans to add solar panels at the West Bus Operating Facility and Townsen Park & Ride.

"This will give METRO more resiliency while lowering the energy it needs to purchase," said Divine. "We hope to duplicate this project at other sites to produce our energy and reduce our dependence on the grid."

METRO appreciates your patience as it makes these improvements. Updates will be given throughout the project. If you have any questions or concerns, email facilities.maintenance@ridemetro.org.