The City of Hilliard Sustainability Plan

EWR Opportunity AnalysisThe City of Hilliard and its residents are already making strides towardsresponsible energy use and waste reduction. Just as residentshave been switching out incandescent light bulbs for newer, moreenergy efficient kinds, the City has been upgrading its properties tocapitalize on savings from efficiency.The Energy and Waste Reduction Opportunity Assessment provides a snapshotof how Hilliard and its residents consume and conserve energy andwater resources and how they, in turn, produce waste. Trends and analysisfrom this Opportunity Assessment will be used in the Sustainability Analysisto identify areas of growth and improvement.EnergyEnergy prices charged by American Electric Power (AEP) are projected torise in the coming years due to a shift from state-stabilized prices to marketrateprices. 51 This means Hilliard consumers will be faced with a decision:to absorb increases in electricity costs or to reduce consumption so thatthey can keep payments at or below current levels. Currently, the averagemonthly electricity bill for Hilliard residents is approximately $110.00. 52 Additionally,several small businesses have already seen the impact of risingelectric prices. 53Recent federal regulations have instituted requirements that light bulbs use25% less electricity for the amount of lumens used; these regulations beganimpacting 100-watt bulbs in 2012 and will impact lower wattage bulbs incoming years. 54 The regulations promote purchasing and use of innovativehalogen incandescent, compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), and light-emittingdiode (LED) bulbs, a ll of which reduce electrical consumption and savemoney over the long run. Under Ohio Senate Bill 221, enacted in 2008, electriccompanies provide technical and financial assistance to individuals andcommunities in order to reduce overall consumption. 55 The City of HilliardHilliard Sustainability Planis currently working to decrease their energy consumption by usingLED bulbs for streetlights and traffic signals. 56Although renewable energy technologies have not yet becomecommon in Hilliard, rising energy costs and a push for cleanerenergy sources have brought them to the forefront in planning forthe future. Solar panels are listed as a conditional use for all developmentin Hilliard’s zoning code, meaning that the Planning andZoning Commission must approve their use and the Zoning Inspectormust issue permits for them. 57 The City does track these permits,and there is at least one solar installation within Hilliard’s limits. Seethe “Solar Panels in Hilliard” Sidebar for more information. The zoningcode does not mention wind, geothermal, or other renewableinstallations as permitted or conditional uses, and the City does nottrack their permitting or installation.Apart from electrical production, Hilliard is also poised to gainground on other renewable sources such as biofuels. Under thecurrent administration, the City fleet has undergone upgrades andolder, inefficient vehicles are being replaced. 58 Some of the new vehiclesare hybrids, 59 although none are flexible fuel vehicles, whichare required for the use of the biofuel ethanol. Ethanol can be foundin quantities up to 5-10% in nearly half the gasoline sold today, 60although higher blends such as E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) areless common and require these flexible fuel vehicles. The Kroger onHilliard-Rome Road is the only gas station in Hilliard that sells E85. 61Biodiesel, which can be used at up to a 20% blend in nearly all dieselequipment, is not currently sold in Hilliard, although there is onelocation in Columbus that sells B5, B10, and B20. 62,63 For informationabout the fuel efficiency and other benefits of roundabouts, see the“Roundabouts in Carmel, Indiana” sidebar.ECON. EXECUTIVEENERGY DEV. &SOCIAL SUMMARY WASTE EQ.REDUCTION17