Climate Showcase Communities

The City of Columbia Office of Sustainability and Columbia Water & Light have received a grant from the US Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), Climate Showcase Communities

The City’s Grant Award, titled “City Green: The District” is working cooperatively with downtown businesses and building owners to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions in the downtown area.

February 2012 video update: See what we've accomplished!

City Green: The District - September 2011 video

City Green: The District

The overall goal of this project is to strengthen the economic viability of downtown (The District) businesses by implementing energy efficiency measures that will reduce costs. "City Green” will include energy assessments of buildings, implementation of energy efficiency measures along with an educational and promotional campaign.

There are three steps of City Green: The District

Energy benchmarking (Completed)

Utility usage for the past two years has been bench marked into the EPA’s Portfolio Manager.
Columbia Water & Light will has provided businesses’ energy use compared to similar businesses both in the District and nationally.

Energy audits (completed)

Walk-through energy audits or ASHRAE Level I energy audits were performed on approximately 50 buildings.
ASHRAE Level II energy audits were conducted on 20 buildings.
Commercial Kitchen Ventilation Energy Assessment

Energy retrofits

51energy efficiency projects with a 10 year or less payback period are either in progress or were completed.
Columbia Water & Light also offers rebates and low interest loans for a wide range of energy efficiency upgrades to help you minimize the cost of the improvements.