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HomeNewsMontgomery County receives Tennessee Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award

Montgomery County receives Tennessee Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award

Montgomery County Government

Montgomery County Government TennesseeMontgomery County, TN — On Monday, July 9th 2018, Montgomery County was presented with the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award (GESA) for their excellence in energy and renewable resources. Award winners were recognized at the awards ceremony for their achievements and positive impact on the state’s natural resources.

Montgomery County was recognized for their energy upgrades throughout County facilities.

(L to R) Tennessee Deputy Governor Jim Henry, County Chief of Staff Jeff Truitt, County Engineer Nick Powell, County Administrative Assistant Emily Mathews, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, CMC Green Certification Manager Carlye Sommers, County Facilities Manager Kenneth Gentry and TDEC Commissioner Shari Meghreblian.
(L to R) Tennessee Deputy Governor Jim Henry, County Chief of Staff Jeff Truitt, County Engineer Nick Powell, County Administrative Assistant Emily Mathews, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, CMC Green Certification Manager Carlye Sommers, County Facilities Manager Kenneth Gentry and TDEC Commissioner Shari Meghreblian.

In October 2016, Montgomery County Government partnered with Siemens Industry, Inc. to complete a year-long, large-scale lighting retrofit and HVAC upgrade in the Historic Courthouse, Courts Center, Jail, Health Department and the Veterans Plaza property.

Over 23,000 lights and fixtures were retrofitted with LED bulbs. Three chillers and four boilers were replaced with more efficient units.

Two 500-gallon hot water storage tanks were replaced, four cooling towers were refurbished and the HVAC automation and variable frequency drive systems were upgraded to increase efficiency at multiple locations. An ozone laundry treatment system for the jail was installed as well as upgrades to over 600 toilets with low flow components.

Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award (GESA) for their excellence in energy and renewable resources
Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award (GESA) for their excellence in energy and renewable resources

Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett said: “I was honored to accept this award with a few of our awesome teammates who played a big role in winning it. This project is very unique, as it is funded through the savings it generates over time. We will not only be upgrading and replacing much needed items like chillers, boilers and lighting, but at the same time installing equipment that is much more efficient, saving us money on utilities for years to come.”

The $5 million retrofit and upgrade is a self-funded energy efficiency project, saving Montgomery County Government $358,827 annually in its first year. Data collected from October 2017-February 2018 show a total savings of approximately 674,200 kWh. Natural gas savings during the same period is approximately 35,100 Ccf and water savings total approximately 5,046,700 gallons. 

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Office of Energy Programs and the Clarksville-Montgomery County Green Certification Program provided technical assistance by helping the County determine which improvements would be most beneficial.

Because of the upgrades and financial savings, the County is able to take on additional projects.

Montgomery County won a special award for “Outstanding Efforts in Energy Efficiency” at the October 2017 Clarksville-Montgomery County Green Certification Awards banquet and the County’s work played a role in helping Clarksville Montgomery County become a Valley Sustainable Gold Community.

Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Shari Meghreblian announced Montgomery County as a 2018 GESA recipient on May 23rd. The GESA recognizes exceptional voluntary actions that improve or protect the environment and natural resources with projects or initiatives not required by law or regulation.

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