KEYS

							                                                                               st
                                               GLEE’s 1 Annual
                                              Green Living Awards
                                                   Agency/Organization Category
                                                 For Cumulative Efforts leading up to Expo 2008
                              Keys Energy Services                                            Key West to 7-Mile
 Name of Agency/Organization: _______________________________________                           _____________
                                                                                                             City/Island
                                                     Julio Barroso, Communications/Marketing Coord.
 Name of Applicant and relation to Agency/Org: ______________________________________
 Summary

As the public power utility for Key West and the Lower Florida Keys, KEYS has long been growing GREEN
initiatives for quite some time. While the aforementioned actions are new, long standing noteworthy programs
include KEYS' nationally recognized annual Tree Giveaway, free on-site or online home energy surveys, and
KEYS' award-winning Energy Conservation calendar. These programs have long been pillars of KEYS'
GREEN efforts and continue to play important roles as lasting environmental changes are sought and new
actions take their place beside them. As KEYS enters its 65th year of reliably powering paradise, customers can
rest assured KEYS will continue to work toward a greener future.




 Part 1: The Keyswide Sustain-Ability Project
 GLEE’s Goal: Involve all major policy makers in the Keys in systematic emissions reductions & conservation
 actions. Involving all 6 municipalities, 3 utilities, federal, state and local agencies, non-profits, mentor
 governments from the mainland, and other national resources, the Keyswide Sustain-Ability Project (KSAP)
 aims to meet quarterly, researching and convening experts on subjects requested by its participants. The
 projects strengths include economy of scale, cross pollination of ideas and collaboration on new projects and
 funding opportunities.

      My Ag/Org is not currently a KSAP member, but we do intend to and can check off some KSAP tenets.
      My Ag/Org is not currently a KSAP member, and will probably not become one.
      I am a KSAP member, but I do intend to become one

 The KSAP checklist:
      Adopt Mayors Climate Protection Agreement tenets (date signed): _________________________________
  ✔                                                                  _________________________
      Establish a Green Team, & Staff liaison: Liaison & Team Names: Ed Giesler, Chair; Julio J. Barroso, Vice Chair; Ly
  ✔                                                         ______________________________
      Hold monthly Green Team meetings: # of Meetings Held: Began meeting monthly in 2007; six meetings to-date
      Develop a baseline of emissions: Date Began, Completed: ______________________________
  ✔   Create an action plan: Date Began, Completed, Acted on: ______________________________
                                                              Strategic Plan (and corresponding action plans) approved o
  ✔                                                            _____________________________
      Participate in quarterly KSAP meetings: # Mtgs Attended: Meetings have been attended since 2007.
 Part 2: Accomplishments
  Renewable Energy        Demonstrated use and/or promotion of appropriate solar, wind and bio generated
                          sources of renewable energy.
Launched KEYS' Go Green Renewable Energy program in 2004 to allow customers the opportunity to
contribute to renewable energy sources in the State of Florida and/or throughout the country.

In March of 2008, KEYS began allowing customers (residential & commercial) to hook-up to the electric grid
and sell power back to the utility via net-metering. Prior to offering solar net-metering a solar buy-back was in
place that utilized an avoided cost method. KEYS switched to the net-metering option as a way to incentivize
solar panels for KEYS customers. (Continued in Clean Boating)
           Clean            Demonstrated use and/or promotion of smart, clean and economically efficient uses
     Transportation         of biodiesel, fuel cells, and hybrid vehicles. Or no vehicles at all!
Given the nature of providing power to Key West and the Lower Florida Keys, KEYS is unable to do away with
its fleet of vehicles, however, changes have been made to make our vehicles more GREEN.

In October 2007, KEYS fleet of 33 diesel vehicles began using bio-diesel (5-percent bio-diesel blend). While
various blends of bio-diesel are available in the market, KEYS staff learned that manufacturer’s warranties on
vehicles made in or before 2006 would become void if bio-diesel was utilized at a volume greater than 5-
percent. As warranties welcome higher percentages of bio-diesel, KEYS will expand accordingly. (Con't in Rot)
     Clean Boating        Demonstrated adherence and/or promotion of eco-friendly actions whilst on the
                          water, including cleaning products, propulsion, water conservation, fisheries
                          conservation, catch and release techniques, and use of Florida Clean Marinas,
                          Boatyards, and Retailers.
(con't from Renewable) KEYS has partnered with Reef Relief to work on installing a solar array on their
headquarters. KEYS will assist with the maintenance of the units and in return, Reef Relief will act as KEYS
educational arm for solar energy and will be able to (as an independent agency) better guide customers through
the solar process. KEYS has been a supporter of the Florida Keys Hydro Power program since its inception and
has worked with organizers as they navigate the channels to see their venture succeed. (Continued on Green
Financing)
 Energy Conservation Demonstrated use and/or promotion of energy-efficient appliances, energy audits,
                     and retrofits for financial savings and pollution reduction.
KEYS has been involved in energy conservation for quite some time. KEYS offers free online and in-home
energy audits to its residential and commercial customers. During the in-home audits, customers receive an
insulation blanket for their water heaters and a low flow shower head.
KEYS has given over 32,000 native shade trees away over the past 14 years during its annual tree giveaway
program. The native trees not only require less water to flourish, but the shade they ultimately provide helps
cool homes and reduce customers overall cooling costs. Additionally, KEYS promotes energy conservation
through customer communications and in-school programs aimed at "future" KEYS customers.
    Green Building        Demonstrated use and/or promotion of green techniques and technologies during
                          retrofits on existing buildings and efficient designs for new buildings.

Major renovations to KEYS facilities have not yet been needed and thus KEYS has not been able to implement.
However, KEYS has retrofitted all of its non-fluorescent lighting so that compact fluorescent lighting is now
used. Additionally, KEYS is looking at upgrading its air conditioning units to utilize "ice" technology when
cooling the building during the day.
   Green Financing        Demonstrated use and/or promotion of tax credits, rebates, and other incentive
                          programs that help finance, sustainability projects. Also includes Socially
                          Responsible Investing.

(Renewable Energy, con't from Clean Boating) KEYS is working with the Florida Municipal Power Agency
(FMPA's) to install a solar farm at a Big Pine Key site (approximately 2 acres will be donated by KEYS for this
venture) that has the potential to generate 1-megawatt of power. This program will be a part of a large state-
wide program for public utilities to meet the Governors recent mandates with regard to renewable energy.
KEYS hopes to be the first FMPA member to have solar sited within its service area.

    Healthy Living        Demonstrated adherence and/or promotion of green procurement, green
                          consumerism and healthy choices through buying organic foods and other non-toxic,
                          healthy and sustainable products.
(Renewable Energy, cont from Financing) Additionally, there is a potential that KEYS will be able to partner
with FMPA and the City of Key West to install a solar farm on the former site of Mount Trashmore, this
partnership is in the investigative stages but has the potential to be beneficial to all involved. KEYS has been a
supporter of the Florida Keys Hydro Power program since its inception and has worked with organizers as they
navigate the channels to see their venture succeed. Finally, KEYS is in the investigative stages of utilizing bio-
diesel to power local generating units at KEYS Stock Island Generating Facility.
  Land Conservation       Demonstrated adherence and/or promotion of conservation of natural habitats by
                          using Keys-Friendly landscaping practices and use of GreenThumb Certified
                          Nurseries.
During KEYS' annual Tree Giveaway, the promotion of keys-friendly landscaping practices and GreenThumb
Certified Nurseries are promoted. Additionally, a permanent link to GreenThumb Certified Nurseries is posted
on KEYS website.

Additionally, KEYS recently sold 54 acres of pristine hardwood hammock on Cudjoe Key to the State of Florida
as part of the Florida Keys Ecosystem Florida Forever Project.
    R4 #1: Reduce         Demonstrated reduction of waste through bulk buying, refillable products, double-
                          sided printing, avoiding over-packaged products, closing the loop by purchasing
                          products made of recycled, post consumer content; implementation of policies which
                          encourage and/or mandate waste reduction.

KEYS is working toward implementing a company-wide policy that would outline what employees are
expected to do on a day-to-day basis to help reduce waste. While no official policy currently exists, employees
have begun numerous conservation practices; paperless utility board meeting packets; double sided printing;
shutting off all computer equipment at the source at the end of the day to avoid ghost loads, etc.

     R4 #2: Reuse         Demonstrated reuse of products, buy second hand, donate unneeded items, and avoid
                          disposables, and share magazines /other publications before recycling them.

Two main items that KEYS produces and in turn is able to reuse is mulch and utility poles. The mulch that is
generated from trimming trees away from electrical lines is offered to customers for free. Additionally, any
waste generated in the installation of wood utility poles is donated local companies for use as parking barriers,
etc. The reuse of these items not only saves KEYS the cost of disposal, it also helps to reduce the use of the fuel
that would be needed to truck the waste out of the Keys.
      R4 #3: Rot          Demonstrated waste diversion through composting of food scraps and yard
      (Compost)           trimmings


(Continued from Clean Transportation) KEYS also continues to investigate the use of hybrid vehicles and will
begin adding them in to the fleet of vehicles as current vehicles reach their end of life and budget permits.



    R4 #4: Recycle        Demonstrated recycling of items accepted by local waste hauler and/or other items
                          which may be recycled elsewhere (e.g., electronics, CFL light bulbs, cell phones,
                          printer cartridges); implementation of policies which encourage and/or mandate
                          recycling practices


No official policy currently exists, however, KEYS is working with Waste Management to re-establish a
company recycling program. Additionally, printer cartridges are currently collected and donated to local groups
so that they can be recycled.


 Water Conservation       Demonstrated use and/or promotion of water use reduction through efficient
                          irrigation, xeriscaping, cisterns, rain barrels, water audits and/or use of reclaimed
                          water.



Not applicable.



    Water Quality         Demonstrated use and/or promotion of wastewater treatment, storm water retention,
                          phosphorus free products, slow release fertilizers, animal waste reduction, etc.



Not applicable.



  Youth Leadership        Involve local students in projects and research for healthy long-term choices in any
                          of the above for the future of all.

KEYS has long been involved in promoting energy conservation at the school-level with our annual Energy
Conservation calendar art contest. Additionally, every three years KEYS sponsors a National Theater for
Children production that revolves around an aspect of energy conservation. Additionally, KEYS is looking to
partner with Key West High School in the hopes of sponsoring a GREEN area in the school library and in
working with the schools Bio-Diesel club for potential joint partnerships.
 GLEE Participation        Actively involved with GLEE via ideas, time and/or membership to help further
                           GLEE’s Mission and Goals.

Yes. KEYS participates in KSAP meetings and is a founding and current sponsor of the GLEE Expo and Film
Festival. Additionally, KEYS has helped GLEE to promote the Expo and film festival by dedicating a portion
its April 2008 energy bill insert to advertise upcoming GLEE events in May - KEYS anticipates making this an
annual partnership. Additionally, KEYS plans to join GLEE as a official business member.


     Other Factors         Have you done something else not included in the scope of this application?
                           Let us know!
KEYS converted all incandescent traffic lights within its service area to LED technology. Additionally, KEYS
is now using electric transformers that utilize soy bean based coolants rather than those made from petroleum
(mineral oil). Additionally, KEYS sponsored the first every GREEN Area at the Lodging Associations annual
trade show. Finally, KEYS has created an extensive "GREEN" site on its website to allow customers to see all
the steps KEYS is taking and for ways in which they can help to conserve energy and reduce their carbon
footprint.


 Part 3: Other Agency/Organization Factors
     Team Commitment              List staff or other supportive people on your “Green Team”

The following individuals are on our GREEN committee, however, all employees are on KEYS GREEN team:
Ed Giesler, Chair; Julio J. Barroso, Vice Chair; Lynne Tejeda; Jack Wetzler; Edward Garcia; David Price; Stan
Rzad; Alex Tejeda; Randy Roberts; Donnie Yarbrough; Utility Board Members Mona C. Clark & Ty Symroski
representing the Utility Board.

       Communications             How are your environmental efforts visibly communicated to staff, locals,
                                  tourists, shareholders, customers and/or vendors?


Website, bill stuffers, radio ads, press releases, radio & television interviews, direct mail pieces (on recycled
paper), staff meetings, etc.



 Certifications/Memberships Do you currently hold any green certifications or memberships?




Other than a member of GLEE, no.




 Part 4: Green Pledge
 I certify that the above information is correct to the best of my knowledge.     ✔                  Submit by Email