Courtesy of Clackamas County
Clackamas County unveiled its new courthouse, a project years in the making. Designed to meet the needs of a growing community, this modern facility provides more space, improved safety and advanced energy performance that will benefit county taxpayers for decades to come.
Unlike most large-scale public buildings, the courthouse was developed through a Public-Private Partnership (P3), an innovative funding model that helped the county prioritize long-term performance and sustainability. Once the county finalized its project design, it teamed up with Energy Trust for help meeting its energy goals.
“Energy efficiency was a priority from the start, and we worked closely with the county to make sure smart, cost-effective systems were part of the plan,” said Shelly Carlton, senior program manager at Energy Trust. “The result is a building that’s more affordable to operate, comfortable for staff and visitors, and sustainable for the community.”
Courtesy of Clackamas County
Energy Trust worked closely with the county to find opportunities for deeper energy savings, from heating and cooling to lighting and insulation. To help offset the cost, Energy Trust provided $30,000 in incentives for energy modeling and the county is estimated to receive an additional $25,000 upon project completion.
Key energy-efficiency features include:
- High-efficiency heating and cooling systems that recover and reuse waste heat
- High-performance windows and insulation that minimize energy loss
- Long-lasting LED lighting that reduces maintenance needs and energy use
These features are estimated to reduce energy use by as much as 140,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year — enough to power at least 10 Oregon homes — and cut natural gas use by up to 25,000 therms, or the equivalent of what dozens of homes might use in a year. These projections, developed through early energy modeling, helped guide design decisions and maximize savings.
“Energy efficiency is a smart way to manage public dollars,” Scott Anderson, Clackamas County Public Information Officer. “With support from Energy Trust, we’ve built a modern facility that’s not only efficient and cost-effective, but also designed to provide significantly more room and security for courthouse staff and visitors, and to serve the community for decades to come.”
Courtesy of Clackamas County
In addition, a large solar array on the roof and carport structures is designed to generate clean energy and further minimize energy bills for the county. Clackamas County’s investment also supports its broader Climate Action Plan, which includes a goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. Energy Trust’s partnership helps bring those climate goals into the design and construction process, showing how sustainability and smart public spending can go hand in hand.
Energy Trust works with communities across Oregon to improve public buildings and invest in infrastructure that works better now and in the future. Support is available at every stage of a project — from early design through construction — and includes expert technical guidance, help identifying funding opportunities and cash incentives that reduce up-front costs.
Have a public building in need of upgrades? Energy Trust can help. Learn more at www.energytrust.org/newbuildings.