SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES
Gatlinburg makes green a priority.
While you’re here, you’re part of our eco-friendly efforts.
The City of Gatlinburg has gone to great lengths to emphasize sustainability through efficiency and energy conservation, including conversion of the spectacular Winter Magic lights to energy-saving LED bulbs, City-wide recycling programs and revolutionary trash-to-energy conversion technology.
Highlighted by the conversion of Gatlinburg Winter Magic light displays from incandescent to LED bulbs, the City of Gatlinburg supports the following programs and environmentally friendly initiatives:
· Gatlinburg’s three-year commitment to convert the Gatlinburg Winter Magic lights program to 100 percent LED bulbs has paid off in an immediate significant savings of electricity. The first three month’s electric bills of the program indicate substantial dollar savings of more than 75 percent through the billing cycles of October, November and December of 2008 as compared to the November-December 2005 billing period, shaving the total from nearly $23,500 in 2005 to $6,321.33 in 2008, with that total including the additional cost of lighting several dozen new displays added in the three phases of Gatlinburg Winter Magic.
· The result of a successful capital construction project, improvements at the Gatlinburg Wastewater Treatment Plant have produced an increased efficiency in treatment operations and a 22% reduction in electrical consumption at the facility during FY 2007-08. Wastewater treatment plants are typically energy hogs – especially plants that are 30 years old – and were not designed with electrical efficiency in mind. In this case, the liquid side of the plant was changed from a two-stage series flow to a single-stage parallel flow, utilizing the same basins and tanks. In essence, a moderate piping change with valves and flow monitors resulted in a significant decrease in run times on the large electric motors, saving electricity.
· Did you know that Gatlinburg’s Trolley System is the fifth largest mass transit system in the State of Tennessee? It originated in 1980 with only six trolleys, but the fleet has grown to 20-plus trolleys servicing approximately 50 miles of trolley routes. In 2008, nearly 800,000 patrons took advantage of riding rather than driving to their destination. Gatlinburg’s fleet is fueled by a blend of B20 ultra-low sulphur biodiesel, a 20-percent vegetable oil-based fuel product blended with 80 percent petroleum-based diesel. Biodiesel has a sparkling track record of reducing engine wear and maintenance and increasing fuel economy while decreasing sulfur, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions.
· In an effort to encourage mass transit utilization. the City of Gatlinburg has established an All Day Trolley Pass program, offering one-price unlimited boarding on five Gatlinburg Trolley routes Initiated as a pilot program in July of 2008, over 20,000 rider days were attributable to the pass during the 6-month study, and All Day Passes have now been adopted as an ongoing energy conservation measure.
· Every City vehicle with a diesel engine runs on B20 biodiesel, including garbage trucks, backhoes, ambulances, and most pieces of fire equipment (100 vehicles total). Sixty percent of fuel bought by the City in 2008 was B20, when Gatlinburg purchased 107,000 gallons of biodiesel as compared to 74,000 gallons of E10 gasoline. The 22,000 gallons of vegetable oil within the 181,000 total gallons of fuel bought converts to 12 percent vegetable oil used as a fuel option.
· The City Manager has issued three internal directives geared toward conservation and sustainability. The Fuel Conservation Policy dictates guidelines on idling engines and driving practices as well as maintenance, carpooling, and communication issues. The Last One Out policy instructs City Employees on thermostat adjustment and computer and light measures. Also, the City has instituted placement of recycling containers (aluminum and plastic) in designated employee areas including break and lunch rooms.
· Several Police Department cruisers run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), an energy option which is being studied for feasibility and efficiency. The City purchased 5,502 cubic feet of CNG in 2008. Three police cruisers in the City fleet are 2003 models.
· Dating to the early 1990s, the City Service Center conducts an oil recycling program and burns close to 500 gallons of waste oil in a waste oil heater that serves the building during wintertime. The City utilizes and maintains a public waste oil deposit. which is a 300-gallon tank regularly serviced by a recycled oil company. In total, more than 1,500 gallons of waste oil were recycled through the Service Center in 2008.
· The City has established public recycling centers. Three-compartment receptacles with large sections for Aluminum Cans, Cardboard and Plastics have been placed at the Greenhouse near the Community Center and at the City’s Service Center on Newman Drive. Newspaper and newsprint receptacles have been placed at the City Complex Parking Lot on Hwy. 321 and at the City’s Service Center on Newman Drive.
· Gatlinburg has been designated Tree City USA in each of the last 21 years by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its continuing commitment to community forestry. Since 1979, the City has met four standards, including implementation of a tree board, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance. Only one other Tennessee City has a longer association with the Arbor Day Foundation.
· Energy efficient measures including celestial lighting and skylights were implemented in the construction of W.L. Mills Conference Center in 2006. Since then, energy conservation measures and lighting upgrades including the installation of compact fluorescent T8 bulbs have increased the efficiency and decreased overhead costs at Gatlinburg Convention Center and W.L. Mills Conference Center as well as in City-owned building throughout Gatlinburg.
· The City’s Sanitation Department conducts Sparkle Days for two weeks around every Easter, with emphasis on removal of commercial and residential waste that is not customarily picked up during normal service. The program dates back to 1980.
Read more about current sustainable initiatives happening in Gatlinburg, Tennessee:
