Jacksonville Transportation Authority – Phillip Pless – 2016

Goals 

In 2013, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) formed a sustainability committee and signed a pledge with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) to achieve higher certification standards. The agency had implemented many energy-efficiency projects, but lacked a formal long-term plan for investing in sustainable projects. In 2016, JTA enlisted EDF Climate Corps fellow Phillip Pless to lay the framework for a lasting blueprint. Phillip was also tasked with researching energy-efficiency and water conservation measures at JTA’s planned Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center (JRTC). These measures would help JTA reach LEED Gold certification for its new regional transportation center. 

Solutions

Phillip created a toolkit to highlight the agency’s success on sustainability initiatives already in place. He then laid the framework for a plan by building a template, researching best practices and designing an employee engagement survey to gauge knowledge of sustainability projects. Alternative financing options and mechanics for identifying energy-efficiency projects were also included. Turning his attention to the new regional transportation center, Phillip researched opportunities for energy-efficiency and water conservation measures specific to the project, including LED lighting, occupancy sensors, dual flush toilets, and energy-efficient dryers. 

Potential Impact

Phillip’s toolkit will assist JTA in engaging community stakeholders in sustainability initiatives, to achieve sustainability recognition at the community level and earn a sustainability certification with APTA. Phillip also helped to pave the road ahead by recommending a framework for prioritizing, planning and implementing energy-efficiency projects to the JTA Sustainability Committee. Phillip’s energy-efficiency and water conservation recommendations have the potential to save JTA $18,000 in energy costs, reduce 740,000 gallons of water and 50 metric tons of CO2 emissions.