Electricity is the biggest source of carbon dioxide emissions at the resort. Throughout the resort, a number of changes have been implemented to cut electricity use and lighten the resort’s carbon footprint.
In 2009, the Resort partnered with our local utility to conduct an energy audit, identified retrofits and weatherization projects, then went to work implementing projects. We started with low-hanging fruit; operating protocol, weatherization and retrofits, distributing power strips and more.
To engage employees in this initiative, the Sustainability Director presented the electricity conservation initiative to the Management and Supervisors and posed a challenge to the Resort to save an additional 10% electricity use over 2008 (15% total) through modified behavior alone. GTR coordinated a “spot audit” with all Supervisor-level employees, whom were asked to break up into teams and conduct a spot energy audit in a different area of operation than their own and identify any potential electricity savings projects and/or action items. This helped engage employees by having them participate and become more aware of their surroundings. They found lights and heaters on unnecessarily and other wasteful acts that could easily be mitigated through behavior change.
An Energy Conservation Committee, comprised of key members of the leadership team, formed to help manage conservation projects, identify opportunities for additional savings, and be a conduit for information regarding the initiative. This team worked with our Supervisors and front-line staff to create a matrix that identifies all of the opportunities for electricity conservation throughout the entire Resort, from weather-stripping windows to installing “reminder” signage to replacing inefficient boilers.
We then prioritized this list; established timelines for completion, calculated project costs and ROI, and identified a department representative responsible for implementing the initiative. We worked with the local utility to obtain weekly electricity use by meter to more closely monitor progress compared to our goals. This information was discussed at both the committee and bi-weekly Supervisor meetings to ensure it stayed fresh in employees’ minds. We distributed weekly energy conservation tips. The Resort also created miniature cutout characters with long-time Targhee employees’ faces superimposed on them- they had funny sayings such as, “Before you bolt, turn down the volts” and “Do it in the dark.” These were distributed throughout the Resort for employees to use in back of house areas to help remind each other about conserving energy; e.g., if an employee left their lights on, someone could stick a Targhee “Miser” on their light switch as a friendly reminder to turn lights off. Then that employee would have to wait until they found an opportunity to pass on the Miser. This program received great feedback as it was a fun way to get people in the habit of conserving. We also secured a grant from BPA to purchase high-quality socks and distribute to guests in exchange for their willingness to take the Electricity Conservation Challenge, with a goal of saving at least 1 KwH during their overnight stay through various conservation practices. This program was implemented in 2010.
As a result of the electricity conservation initiative, Targhee decreased its total energy use in 2009 14% below 2008 levels and 5% below the five-year average. This equates to a savings of 220 metric tons of CO2 below 2008 levels or 86.5 metric tons of CO2 below the five-year average based on the local utility’s energy portfolio. (Source: EPA Calculator) This translates into a cost savings of approximately $30,000 below the prior year and $12,000 below the five-year average.
Reached approximately 30,000 guests with our electricity conservation messaging through onsite collateral, base-area signage, and in-room signage.
Trained 100% of our employees on energy conservation initiative, distributed electricity conservation tips and had employees document that they were communicated to line employees on a weekly basis, conducted electricity conservation committee meetings every other week to sustain conservation initiative and manage projects, discussed progress compared to our 5% over five-year average reduction goal every other week at our Supervisor meetings, and the resort’s Green Team adopted the initiative as its primary focus for the winter season- helping to create the Targhee Miser characters and monitor overall progress of the initiative on the front line.
Conducted one energy audit with local utility at the beginning of the year and another energy audit with Bonneville Power Administration near the end of the year (2009/2010 season). Identified meters that were tracking higher usage and installed turtle loggers to monitor real-time use information to pinpoint issues. Installed motion/temperature/lighting/occupancy sensors in a few of our hotel rooms and monitored use to set a baseline to measure against the upcoming pilot sock program to see if our overnight guests will modify behavior based on incentive programs and training.
Created tracking matrix that identifies all completed conservation projects, potential projects, ideas for behavior modification, etc. The Energy Conservation Committee is managing this matrix to ensure that all projects are accounted for, progress is being made, capital projects are being considered, and a timeline has been established.
The Employee Housing electricity conservation project helped the Resort save 20% of its electricity use at its employee housing units (in nearby Driggs, ID), or about 80,000 KwHs.