Hillsboro, OR: Energy performance

Better Buildings Challenge Partners strive to decrease portfolio-wide source energy use intensity (EUI) and to increase the percent improvement compared to a set baseline. Hillsboro's portfolio consists of more than 25 buildings and 480 thousand square feet. Hillsboro has improved energy performance by 15% from a 2015 baseline. Energy consumption during 2020 and 2021 was significantly lower than a typical year since COVID-19 disruptions resulted in temporary building closures and reduced occupancy for much of the year. The City of Hillsboro joined the Energy Trust of Oregon’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) Program in 2020 and 2021. With the help of their coaches and energy experts, City staff were able to identify additional opportunities to further improve energy efficiency in the facilities enrolled in the program. 

Better Buildings Challenge Partners strive to decrease portfolio-wide source water use intensity (WUI) and to increase the percent improvement compared to a set baseline. Hilllsboro's portfolio consists of more than 25 buildings and 480 thousand square feet. Partner has improved water performance by 23% from a 2012 baseline, making progress towards a goal of 20% by 2020. Water consumption during 2020 and 2021 was significantly lower than a typical year since COVID-19 disruptions resulted in temporary building closures and reduced occupancy for much of the year. The City continues to monitor water use at all its facilities and parks by producing monthly water use reports which are reviewed by Facilities Maintenance and Parks Maintenance managers. Increases in water use compared to the same time in the previous year are flagged for further investigation and follow up.