The Town of Springdale is committed to making changes that will positively affect not only Washington County, but the planet as well. Some of these changes are small in nature, changing light bulbs from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. Other changes are quite substantial such as making changes to city operations and purchasing alternative energy.
Some of the things Springdale is doing, that you may not be aware of, include:
Recycling
We are currently working with the Washington County Solid Waste District to promote the county-wide recycling program. Recycling binnies are in town and ready for use. Please see the District's recycling page for information on the program.
The Town is also a member of the Southern Utah Recycling Chapter of the Recycling Coalition of Utah. Please see our recycling page for more information.
We have signed up to be a collection point for rechargeable batteries and used cell phones. These items are boxed and shipped to the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation.
Festivals and Events
The Town sponsors annual Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebrations, providigng education about sustainable practices. The Zion Canyon Music Festival supports the development of renewable energy in Southern Utah and proceeds from the Festival are committed to be used to develop new solar infrastructure. Please watch these websites for more information about the celebrations.
Support
The Town Council passed a Resolution of Support for the Kyoto Protocol and the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
We are working with the Green Team from Zion National Park and Xanterra, the Park concessions operator, to develop more options for recycling and composting in Springdale. Please see the latest GreeNotes from the Park for information on how we can all help the environment.
Solar Energy
During 2008 we received a grant from Rocky Mountain Power's Blue Sky Program to fund two solar power arrays in the Town. One is installed at the Town Park next to the ball field. The other is at the sewer lagoons. Both arrays are on-line and operational putting solar energy into the grid and offsetting Town utility costs. A display that shows the amount of power being produced at the sewer lagoons has been installed at the Canyon Community Center. 
Since that time, the Town has received funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the US Department of Energy to construct additional solar energy infrastructure. These funds came to the Town through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program managed by the Utah Office of Energy Devlopment.
Since starting this solar project in 2008, the Town has installed 94.6 kW of solar capacity, offsetting energy used in town municipal operations. All these solar arrays are net metered on Rocky Mountain Power's system.
Please click on the links below to access the solar energy data for the Town's arrays:
The ball field array offsets power used on the ballfield, including many town events and festivals. During the 2010 Zion Canyon Music Festival this array, in conjunction with a private solar array, put more power on the grid than used by the Festival. Green Tow, a local solar company that produces trailer mounted solar arrays, provides power for the Festival vendor booths.
6 - 175 watt panels
Wastewater Treatment Arrays (sewer lagoons) (45.66 kW array total)
The wastewater solar array consists of six bi-directional tracking arrays and eight fixed pole mounted arrays. The power generated by this array is used on reduce the amount of energy used in wastewater treatment operations. These several arrays are expected to produce enough energy to completely offset the energy used at the wastewater facility.
Blower Building Tracking Array - 16.56 kW
6 poles with dual axis tracking capability
48 - 175 watt panels (first phase)
48 - 170 watt panels (second phase)
Blower Building Fixed Array - 14.70 kW
4 fixed position poles
60 - 245 watt panels
UV Building Fixed Array - 14.4 kW
4 fixed position poles
60 - 245 watt panels
Culinary Water Booster Pump Array (22.05 kW array)
This array offsets the energy used in pumping culinary water. This array offsets about 50 percent of the power used by the booster pumps.
90 - 240 watt panels
1MG Water Tank Array (25.4 kW array)
(at this time this array is not connected to our monitoring system so no link is available)
This array will offset power used at the Canyon Community Center and Town Hall.
108 - 240 watt panels
Blue Sky Wind Energy
Beyond our solar project, the Town currently purchases 128,400 kWh per year (about 23 percent of the power used in Town operations) from renewable sources through the Rocky Mountain Power Blue Sky program. With this commitment to purchase renewable energy, the Town has been recognized as an EPA Green Power Partner. Several local businesses and residences also purchase energy through the program.
In March 2008 (Town Newsletter), the Mayor challenged the community to support the development of renewable energy sources and work towards a goal of 15 percent of ALL power used in Springdale coming through the Blue Sky program. In response to the challenge, participation in the Blue Sky Energy program doubled and the Town has been recognized as an EPA Green Power community.
Currently, 67 power customers, both commercial and residential, in Springdale are also Blue Sky customers. A list of our commercial Blue Sky partners can be found on the participating businesses portion of the Blue Sky website (filter by "Springdale"). Between Blue Sky purchases, the Town's solar projects and private solar systems, more than 5 percent of the TOTAL energy used in the community now comes from renewable sources. Please visit the Blue Sky Program website for information on how to become a Blue Sky supporter.
As we continue to move forward with in-town solar projects, residents who install household solar, and more Blue Sky Energy customers, we will continue to improve the environment for future generations.
Earth Turtle artwork courtesy of Eva Pelton
