The City of West Palm Beach and its Mayor’s Office of Sustainability work diligently with City administration, community groups, and business leaders to develop policies and programs that support energy efficiency, resource conservation, and the growth of a green economy. West Palm Beach is recognized as a 4-STAR Certified Community, which symbolizes a healthy environment, strong economy, and focus on community well-being. Moreover, the City is using the STAR rating framework to provide the foundation for its five-year, city-wide Strategic Plan, as well as updating its Sustainability Action Plan, both of which target greenhouse gas emission reductions, energy/water conservation, and community empowerment. (www.wpb.org/sustainability) 

In 2010, the City of West Palm Beach set a goal for a 20% energy intensity reduction of its building portfolio by 2020, and achieved that that goal in 2015. Since then, the City has added another goal of a 15% energy intensity reduction from 2015 levels by 2025. The City also has a goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, implemented to lessen its environmental impacts and to increase resiliency.

In order to meet these goals, the City is employing several strategies to reduce its energy intensity and dependence on nonrenewable energy. One effort includes a solar energy assessment, which proposed the most favorable areas for solar photovoltaic development on municipal properties. The East Central Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, the most energy intensive complex in the City’s portfolio, is currently investing in a new biosolids building and an anaerobic digestion process to lessen its energy load.  Furthermore, West Palm Beach and its investor-owned utility are making an effort to retrofit utility-owned streetlights with LED bulbs, which use less energy without reducing brightness. These efforts, combined with future endeavors, will ensure that the City of West Palm Beach will attain its progressive energy goals.