GATLINBURG – The City of Gatlinburg has gone to great lengths to emphasize sustainability through efficiency and energy conservation, following the lead of City Commission and the formation of a City Green Committee chaired by Public Services Manager Larry Henderson.

      “In light of the concept of ‘Going Green,’ it is significant that our City Commission and Administration have taken significant steps to ensure that Gatlinburg is seizing the initiative and is pledged to be as environmentally friendly as well as cost conscientious as possible,” said City Manager Cindy Cameron Ogle.

      That commitment is evident in a number of City initiatives and directives aimed at conservation and cost efficiency.

      Early this Fall, close to 90,000 LED bulbs received as part of the FY 2008-09 budget were used to switch out the majority of Gatlinburg Winter Magic displays from 5-watt incandescent bulbs to quarter-watt LED in just about every winter lights display, with some of the bulbs replacing dimmer LED bulbs in several displays.

      “We’re 100 percent LED now in the winter lights program,” said Facilities Manager Robert Marine, adding that the efficient, durable lights save considerable kilowatts hours (close to 95 percent) and cut down on manpower requirements for the winter lights program.

      The FY 2008-09 budget includes approximately $46,000 to fund the change of Traffic Light Signals to LED bulbs as well.

      The Parking Lots Department has virtually completed the replacement of lighting systems in both the Aquarium and McMahan parking garage complexes.

      Round single-bulb fixtures requiring 175-watt metal halide bulbs have been replaced by a ballast fixture of four four-foot T8 fluorescent bulbs, providing additional lumens and more area saturation of light when compared to the narrow beam of the metal halide bulb.

      “The old metal halide bulbs were $19 apiece and we had to replace them twice a year,” said Parking Lots Manager Gary Cole. “By comparison, we have 130 fixtures within the two parking garages now that use four T8 bulbs that cost $1.25 apiece and only have to be replaced once a year. The T8s also use one amp of energy each, four amps per fixture, as compared to eight amps used by a single metal halide bulb.

      “We should be able to cut our electrical energy usage in half and will certainly save in maintenance cost, plus the garages are much better lit now.”

      Led by the Building Maintenance Department, City Departments have made a concerted effort to convert the lighting in most buildings to T8 fluorescent bulbs, and replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs as well. Energy efficient LED bulbs have been installed in most Exit signs throughout the City, also cutting electrical usage significantly.

      Staff at the Gatlinburg Convention Center has likewise made a concerted effort to change out bulbs, replacing incandescents with compact fluorescents and other efficient lighting options, and to monitor and restrict power usage during periods of low building activity. The lighting throughtout the Spur Welcome Center has also been converted to compact fluorescent flood lights. 

      The City Manager’s office has issued green-related directives including a Fuel Conservation Policy and a Citywide Recycling Program for employees. City Departments have also adopted a “Last One Out” policy regarding after-hours lights and thermostats.

      The Fuel Conservation Policy includes guidelines on idling engines and driving practices as well as maintenance, carpooling, and communication issues.

      The recycling directive instructs City Departments to establish aluminum and plastic recycling stations in employee break rooms and kitchens citywide, with materials including newspaper, white paper and aluminum/tin cans also addressed.

      The “Last One Out” policy affects periods of inactivity in City buildings such as weekends and holidays. Turning off lights, copiers and computer monitors and adjusting thermostats and water heater settings are key components of the policy.