Hick, Ritter push Denver energy savings by turning up thermostats
By John Rebchook, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 11:35 a.m., June 26, 2008
Updated 11:35 a.m., June 26, 2008
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Gov. Bill Ritter and local business leaders today launched Cool Biz, a summer energy-saving program that will cut energy use in Denver government office buildings by raising thermostats.
Businesses throughout Denver and Colorado also are invited to participate in Cool Biz, which was initiated by Greenprint Denver to help reduce the amount of energy needed to cool Denver’s buildings during the summer.
“Denver is proud to lead by example,” Hickenlooper said in a statement. “Cool Biz is a simple, effective way to save energy and money and promote sustainability. It’s good for the environment and good for the bottom line. It’s a natural complement to all we’re accomplishing with our community through Greenprint Denver.”
Ritter congratulated Hickenlooper and the Greenprint Denver team “for another great contribution to Colorado’s New Energy Economy. Local and state governments must demonstrate every day that we are serious about conserving energy, saving taxpayer dollars and protecting Colorado’s environment. Being more energy-efficient and energy-smart is something we all can do together.”
The city’s seven government office buildings are taking the lead by raising thermostats four degrees this summer.
The buildings are: the City and County Building, Wellington E. Webb Municipal Building, Castro Building, Family Crisis Center, Arie P. Taylor Municipal Center, McNichols Civic Center Building and Minoru Yasui Plaza.
To compensate for higher temperatures, city empoyees are encouraged to remove ties, sweaters and suit jackets whenever possible and wear short-sleeve shirts and blouses and open-collar shirts instead.
Hickenlooper invited area businesses to join the Cool Biz movement.
He noted two of the state’s largest employers – Coors Brewing Co. and Qwest Communications – already have signed on.
The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Denver Partnership also have encouraged their member businesses to participate in Cool Biz this summer.
Greenprint Denver has set up a Web site for participating businesses to register and help capture the amount of energy collectively saved this summer. For more information: greenprintdenver.org.
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June 26, 2008
12:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
FlyfishDude52 writes:
Whoever made it necessary to call this a "program?" Have meetings with several staff memebers multiple times, have a few high paid consultants on-board, hire a publicist amd make a big "newsworthy" splash and what do we get? A "program."
What a bunch of carp! Why can't someone just make up their mind and say we're setting the A/C 4 degrees warmer than last year. This is in response to necessary budgetary requirements.
A "program," indeed... Surprised the dnc didn't have to approve...
June 26, 2008
10:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
jacka writes:
Sweaty citizen's waiting in long lines for unionized government employees to exchange paper with them for hard earned cash. All are hot and tired dreaming of a cool beer and nice chat on the tele with Mom - too bad it will be warm beer and hot telephone calls.
Gives you the warm and fuzzies, doesn't it.
Your New energy economy at work.
June 27, 2008
10:31 a.m.
Suggest removal
CoolKat writes:
I commend the Mayor and Governor for supporting this program! Whether you want to admit it or not, the issue of global warming is "heating up" (pun intended). For the first time in human history, the North Pole's ice may break apart completely which may cause some SERIOUS climate changes in the world. If small programs like this can make citizens and businesses more aware of what can be done to help lessen our Carbon footprint, then why should we criticize it??
It's time to throw out the negative attitudes, People! Instead, how about appreciating the leaders who are willing to start making a difference, no matter how small??