City of Brookhaven recognized with Sustainability Award from the Georgia Public Service Commission

Commissioner Tim Echols presented Mayor John Ernst with the Energy Matters Award “Best EV Municipal Energy Efficiency”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Brookhaven recognized with Sustainability Award from the Georgia Public Service Commission

Brookhaven, GA, Aug. 04, 2022 -  Georgia Public Service Commission Vice Chairman Tim Echols presented the City of Brookhaven Mayor Ernst with an Energy Matters Award in the "Best EV Municipal Energy Efficiency" category, on Wednesday, Aug. 3.

The award recognizes some of the milestones the City of Brookhaven has accomplished through its Sustainable Brookhaven strategy framework.

"It is an honor to be recognized with the Best EV Municipal Efficiency award," said City of Brookhaven Major John Ernst. "The City of Brookhaven is making a great effort to improve its sustainability in all areas and this award only validates the work we are doing. We're committed to creating a more sustainable future for our community, one that not only allows us to protect the environment,  but also saves costs, resources, and our constituents money."

The Sustainable Brookhaven strategy framework focuses on five elements, Natural Environment, Finances, Civil Governance, Built Environment, and Organizational, each of which reflects parts of Brookhaven’s whole that are impacted by actions, decisions, and policies.  

Among the measures adopted by the city considered by the Georgia Public Service Commission for the award are:

  • In 2019, the City of Brookhaven purchased a pre-owned 2015 Tesla Model S for a pilot electric vehicle (EV) for patrol purposes. A comparison report was completed in 2020, and subsequent purchases of 17 hybrid SUVs were made for police and administrative use. The City continues to monitor metrics such as fuel usage, maintenance costs, and vehicle lifespan to assess electric and hybrid models to replace gasoline-powered vehicles. As new EV models become available, and fleet vehicles near retirement, consideration of energy-efficiency will be a top priority in new vehicle selection. 
  • Funding in 2021 was used to purchase 15 hybrid SUVs within the Police Department and funding in 2022 will purchase 15 hybrid SUVs within the Police Department and 2 hybrid SUVs within the Community Development Department.
  • The 2022 vehicle replacements will bring the City’s energy-efficient fleet to approximately 40 percent with the purchase of 15 additional hybrid cars. 
  • In 2020, Brookhaven replaced lighting at City Hall and the Blackburn Park tennis courts. In 2021, the City began the Dresden Drive streetlight LED conversion pilot project and will be working with Georgia Power to convert streetlights to LED throughout the City in 2022.

 

“I am grateful for our esteemed group of judges who met throughout the process multiple times to decide each and every award,” said Echols. “I hope we can do this every year and commend leaders in the sustainability movement.”

To find out more about Brookhaven’s sustainability and energy efficiency efforts, visit https://www.BrookhavenGA.gov/SustainableBrookhaven/page/framework or contact Patrice Ruffin at Patrice.Ruffin@BrookhavenGA.gov.

Brookhaven earned one of 16 Sustainability leadership awards being presented across Georgia by Commissioner Echols. 

 

Media Contact:
Marcela Cortes
Public Engagement Specialist
404-637-0741
Marcela.Cortes@BrookhavenGA.gov

 

 

 

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