Johnson Controls helps City of La Crosse exceed energy savings targets

Over the past five years, Johnson Controls has been working with the City of La Crosse on a multi-phase sustainability initiative that has already generated significant energy and cost savings. 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.

Building on this momentum, Johnson Controls and the 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.

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, equivalent to removing 236 cars from the road for a year

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.

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

Focus Areas of Phase 3:

• 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. To date, we have helped the city with investments including facility efficiency, street lighting conversion to LED, and implementation of ten solar arrays, totaling nearly one megawatt of clean energy for the city’s use.

"We are proud to work with the City of La Crosse on this important initiative," said Jeff Van Ess, Program Manager, Sustainable Infrastructure, Johnson Controls. "The results from the first year of the Phase 3 Performance Contract are a testament to our shared commitment to sustainability and innovation."

Johnson Controls is dedicated to creating more energy-efficient and resilient communities and more information on work with the City of La Crosse. 

For more information about the La Crosse Climate Action Plan and how businesses and individuals can reduce energy consumption and realize energy cost savings, visit lacrosseclimateactionplan.org.