Fayetteville’s City Government is responsible for approximately 30,000 tons of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere in 2006 with an expected growth rate of 8 percent per year. Emitting these gases cost the City $1.9 million in the form of utility expenses, $881,000 in fuel consumption and untold costs in waste management. In light of these facts, I issued a memo to all City of Fayetteville employees last week mandating the following behavior changes to reduce energy consumption:

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The peak travel season is upon us, and many of you are busy making your summer vacation plans. If you are like me, the cost of fuel has become a much larger budget consideration than in years past. As much as I would like to hope that we’ll see some relief at the pump, I believe high gas prices are here to stay. With steady demand nationally, increasing demand internationally, and myriad supply issues related to capacity and security, we should expect prices to continue to ratchet up. Some forecasters are even suggesting we brace ourselves for $4.00/gallon prices. I can’t predict how high prices will reach this summer, but I can tell you that the new fuel reality is changing the way we do business at City Hall.

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