Through a comprehensive effort to reduce energy use across its facilities Placer County has saved $1 million a year since 2008.

Without energy-saving efforts, the county’s annual energy costs would be about $1 million higher than current levels. Despite significant cost increases for energy in the last eight years, the county’s annual costs have seen an annual decrease of $160,000.

Initially, the county assessed the efficiency of energy systems and controls to understand how energy was being used and how much was being used. Facilities conducted cost-benefit analyses on building systems to determine if replacement or upgrades would cost less money over time.

Equipment and controls were upgrade, funded in part by grants and low-interest loans.

The Animal Services Center, when opened this year, will be the most energy efficient Placer County building ever constructed. The facility is a LEED gold building.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report