Shared RCM

The WSU Energy Program, in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Commerce, recently completed a Shared Resource Conservation Manager (RCM) Program that assisted cities and counties in establishing and implementing long-term energy efficiency strategies.

Many local governments would like to have an RCM program but do not have utility bills large enough to warrant an RCM position. The Shared RCM Program helped create shared RCM positions that serve co-located government entities across Washington state.

The goals of the program were to:

• Reduce energy use in building and facilities operated by cities and counties
• Increase the ability of cities and counties to manage their energy and resource expenses
• Establish shared programs that support smaller cities and counties
• Establish programs that will sustain savings beyond program start-up years
• Create jobs by establishing programs that employ RCMs

Program Information

Local government partnerships formed in seven locales across Washington state, and an existing partnership also received support. The RCMs hired in each of these regions assessed, tracked and analyzed resource use of facilities owned and operated by the 35 public agencies that comprise the eight partnerships. They worked with all levels of agency staff to reduce consumption and resource expenditures. The public agencies include cities, counties, public school districts, and ports.

The program was funded through June 2012. The Shared Resource Conservation Manager Program Report was completed in March 2013. Each Shared RCM Partnership is described separately:

• Bonney Lake Partnership
• Bremerton Partnership
• Clallam County Partnership
• Federal Way/Auburn Partnership
• Jefferson County Partnership
• Skagit County Partnership
• Spokane County Partnership
• Vancouver Partnership

Shared RCM Partnerships

• City of Bonney Lake, cities of Buckley and Sumner, and Sumner School District
• City of Bremerton, cities of Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo, and the Port of Bremerton
• Cities of Federal Way and Auburn
• Cities of Vancouver, Camas and Washougal
• Clallam County, cities of Port Angeles and Sequim, Olympic Medical Center, Clallam Transit
• Jefferson County, City of Port Townsend, Chimacum School District, Port Townsend School District and Fort Worden State Park
• Skagit County; cities of Anacortes, Burlington, and Sedro-Woolley; Town of La Conner; Swinomish Indian Tribal Community; ports of Anacortes and Skagit; and PUD #1 of Skagit County
• Spokane County, City of Ritzville and Central Valley School District

For More Information

To receive more information about the Shared RCM Program, including guidelines and start-up documents, email rcm@energy.wsu.edu.