Rebuilding It Better: Greensburg, Kansas, Kiowa County Courthouse

Overview

The city of Greensburg, Kansas, is rebuilding as a model green community with the help of the U.S. Department of Energy and its National Renewable Energy Laboratory. A tornado destroyed or damaged 95% of the town's homes and businesses on May 4, 2007. Greensburg turned disaster into opportunity and created a vision to rebuild as a sustainable community. The town has gathered a diverse group of experts, including DOE and NREL, to make their vision of rebuilding green a reality. This brochure highlights the energy-efficiency and renewable energy features of this renovated county  building in Greensburg, Kansas.  Technologies include Wind power and ground source heat pumps, as well as improving energy efficiency, conserving water, and other general improvements to the building. Within the energy transformation process, the building's construction incorporated aspects of collaborating with the right people, Creating a vision, evaluating options, and developing goals for the project.

Community Information
Name	Greensburg, Kansas
Type	City;#County
Population	2,421
Community Energy Goals	•All new homes will use 30%-40% less energy than before the tornado •New city buildings will achieve LEED Platinum certification •Other commercial and public buildings will be designed to LEED Platinum or Gold rating levels •100% renewable electricity 100% of the time Reduce GHG emissions by 36% relative to pre-tornado emissions
Baseline	Estimated 2005 energy consumption: 15.6 million kWh; 92 mcf; 1.6 million gallons gasoline; 415,000 gallons diesel.
Results to Date	•4 LEED Platinum commercial buildings •Of the first 190 homes built after the tornado, about half were analyzed for expected energy savings (heat and electricity), and averaged 40% less energy use than code •Wind farm that produces 12.5 MW of energy, or enough to power every home, business, and municipal building in the town, as well as surrounding areas 2008 annualized total electricity use: 8 million kWh (with 800 out of the original 1,400 residents)

Highlights

Highlights specific renewable energy and energy efficiency features that can be incorporated into any municipal building. Provides a detailed summary of possible technologies available.

Environmental Aspects

1) 52% of the new homes permitted between May, 2007 and March, 2009 were voluntarily rated for energy efficiency. Nine townhome rental units are projected to use 41% less energy than a standard home.  33 homes that were renovated and measured will use on average 25% less energy than a standard home.  The city has also passed a resolution that all city-owned buildings will be LEED Platinum.  The city has entered an agreement to build a 12.5MW wind farm and to provide 100% renewable electricity to the city. 2) LEED Gold certification for Courthouse