Ten weeks of hard work may help improve Langley’s energy use.
Mariah VanZerr, a Bard College graduate student, will intern at the city of Langley, spending her summer analyzing the towns energy use, and helping develop a plan to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
VanZeer is taking part in an international program sponsored by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability – in partnership with the Northwest Clean Air Agency. The partnership created an energy conservation and climate protection project.
Participating communities
benefit through:
• Savings in reduced utility and fuel costs to the local government, households and businesses.
• Improved local air quality, contributing to the general health and well being of the community.
• Economic development as investments in locally produced energy products keep money circulating in the local economy.
About 660 governments worldwide and more than 175 U.S. cities are part of the effort, VanZerr said. Most major cities such as Seattle or New York have taken advantage of the program.
The program has run in various parts of the U.S. over the last six years, and they have developed specialized software for the job.
“I will be collecting a lot of data,†VanZerr said.
At the end of her stay in Langley she will provide a formal report. Working closely with the recently formed comp plan energy committee, VanZerr will develop ideas to improve energy use in town.
What makes her work in Langley special is that her work not only focuses on the energy use of the city government, but the community as a whole. Therefore, residents can also benefit from her findings.
“Each community is unique and has its unique needs,†she said.
The foundation stones that VanZerr will lay with her work remain available to the city after she leaves.
The program was a win-win situation for the city. All recommendations are voluntary. The city won’t be forced to make recommended changes, said city council member Robert Gilman.
Cost for the city is minimal, he said. The city signed up to be a ICLEI member for one year. The membership cost $600. Wages and support for the intern position are paid for by the organization.
Public works director Rick Hill said that it is a worthwhile investment. With the waste treatment plant and other high energy operations, the city will easily gain back the investment once energy saving measures are implemented.
