Efforts to conserve energy in the Community Center, Town Hall and the Homestead Aquatics Center have reduced the Town of Chapel Hill’s energy bill for the second year in a row, leading to lower costs and a slightly smaller carbon footprint.

By installing LED light bulbs, new insulation and other measures, officials said the town has saved $164,000 in energy costs across the three buildings over two years.

According to the town, that’s the equivalent of saving 1,682 metrics tons of carbon dioxide from being added to the atmosphere or equal to taking 200 gas-powered cars off the road since energy-cutting measure started two years ago.

But new light bulbs are not enough to offset Chapel Hill’s carbon emissions. At the end of the day, town government only represents two percent of energy use across the town, Mayor Pam Hemminger told WCHL’s Aaron Keck.

“Yes, it Is nice. It saves taxpayer dollars; it’s the right thing to do; it sets a good example. But we need to take it further. And this was something that the council galvanized at our retreat, we want to come up with our own climate action plan. We’re not feeling the support from our own federal government.”

And while Duke Energy has been a good partner on energy-saving measures, Hemminger said, they could be a better partner.

Duke Energy’s recent Integrated Resource Plan lays out an overview of its electricity production and where the company sees itself in the next two decades regarding to its energy habits. Local nonprofit and government officials have criticized Duke Energy’s plan, which is now being considered by the NC Utility Commission, for its continued reliance on coal over the next 15 years.

Orange County Commissioner Mark Marcoplos was one of around 40 NC government officials to sign a letter to the Utilities Commission asking them to rule against the plan.

But nonprofit NC WARN said Duke Energy’s proposed plan maintains a heavy reliance on coal over the next two decades and includes considerations for the increased burning of gas from fracking. According to their outline, in 2033, Duke Energy Carolinas will get 16 percent of its total electrical power from renewable resources and energy efficiency measures, like those taken by the Town of Chapel Hill’s City Hall and Community Center.

NC WARN cited several utilities companies across the country that of last year already receive 30 percent or more of their power from renewable sources alone.

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