Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Solar  -  January 27, 2025

City of La Crosse Exceeds Energy Savings Goals

The City of La Crosse has been working on a multi-phase sustainability initiative that has generated significant energy and cost savings. 

Johnson Controls and the Wisconsin city recently announced the successful completion of the first year of the Phase 3 Performance Contract, which has resulted in impressive energy savings and significant progress towards the city's climate action plan goals. In the first year alone, the city has achieved a total savings of $398,860, surpassing the guaranteed savings target of $396,544.

The initial projects, which began in 2019, included infrastructure updates and the addition of solar arrays throughout four community facilities. These improvements have already generated $7.98 million in total savings and reduced energy consumption by 35% in those buildings.

"Our work with Johnson Controls has allowed us to make substantial progress towards our long-term energy goals,” said Lewis Kuhlman, environmental planner for the City of La Crosse, in a statement. "We are thrilled to exceed our energy savings goals for the first year. Our work with Johnson Controls has allowed us to make substantial progress towards our long-term energy goals.”

Year One Highlights:

• $150,057 in energy savings from LED retrofits and solar PV installations
• $101,386 in utility incentive benefits
• 993-metric ton reduction in CO2 emissions

This initiative is part of a 20-year performance contract, reflecting La Crosse’s commitment to sustainability and fiscal responsibility. The excess savings confirm the project's success in optimizing energy use while providing a comfortable, safe, and sustainable environment for the community.

Focus Areas of Phase 3 include:

• Reducing utility usage in city buildings
• Implementing renewable energy solutions through city-owned solar PV systems
• Decreasing deferred capital improvements and ongoing maintenance costs

Johnson Controls will continue working closely with the City of La Crosse to explore future opportunities, including potential microgrid solutions, water system efficiencies, and green initiatives with local businesses. The company helped the city with investments including facility efficiency, street lighting conversion to LED, and implementation of 10 solar arrays, totaling nearly one megawatt of clean energy for the city’s use.

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