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Energy efficient designs in area communities help save money, planet

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By Steve Bennish, Staff Writer Updated 11:04 PM Saturday, April 17, 2010

All around the Miami Valley, in ways big and small, communities are going green. With Earth Day’s 40th anniversary coming Thursday, the Dayton Daily News surveyed cities, counties and townships in the region to see how they are conserving energy, reusing recyclable materials and generally curbing traditionally wasteful ways.

Montgomery County

Centerville: The city’s new Public Works facility incorporated many environmentally friendly features in its design, including a high-efficiency air system and energy-efficient roof, said Public Works Director Rob James. Some of the building materials were also recycled.

Butler Twp: Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm is starting a new initiative with the city of Dayton and Central State University to recreate Ohio prairies on abandoned land in the city. The project could begin in September. A goal is to reduce polluted urban storm water runoff into the Great Miami River.

Kettering: The city is seeking high-level energy efficiency certification for the south building of the Government Center on Shroyer Road, now closed for remodeling. The building is getting a new heating and cooling system with new windows and R-30 insulation — measures estimated to save the city more than $70,000 per year. Kettering also collects more than 40,000 cubic yards of downed leaves in the fall that are recycled into leaf mulch and offered free to residents every spring.

Moraine: The city has installed energy-saving devices in most city buildings. Moraine also offers recycling programs for yard waste, batteries, manuals, paper, plastic, metals, toner cartridges, trash, tires, oils and antifreeze.

West Carrollton: The city uses biodegradeable chemicals for road treatments, and is experimenting with bio-diesel fuel in a few of its larger trucks. Officials say various energy-efficiency efforts have saved West Carrollton schools about $2 million since 2007.

Greene County

Fairborn: Residents this year will be among the first in the region to be part of a yard and organic waste compost program in partnership with Waste Management of Ohio. The communities of Miami Twp. and West Milton are involved in a similar program. The goal is to reduce curbside trash volume.

Miami County

Pleasant Hill: The Newton Local Schools’ K-12 building that opens at the end of August will have LED lighting and be ready for solar panel installation. A print management system will also reduce printing.

Tipp City: Officials are working with private property owner Leo Grusenmeyer on a wind-speed monitoring study on land east of the city. The monitoring will determine the feasibility of a wind power project. The city is also experimenting with beet juice to reduce road salt usage, and installing a rain garden at the site of the community’s new water tower this summer.

Warren County

Springboro: The school district is recycling used motor oil from its fleet of 70 buses to power burners that heat the repair and maintenance garage. About 1,000 gallons of used oil is pumped annually into the holding tanks. Business Manager George Long said the district has earned back the $20,000 cost with savings of about $1,500 a month, while eliminating a waste disposal problem. Residents can drop off used oil from 5 a.m. to  5 p.m. daily.

The report was compiled by staff writers Marc Katz, Christopher Magan, Kristin McAllister, Katherine Ullmer, Jeremy Kelley, Jill Kelley, Larry Budd, Mark Gokavi, and contributer Nancy Bowman

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